Once again we will need to revise our schedule in our study of Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra to allow more time for our group discussions. This course began as an experiment and now that we have more experience in how much time it takes to discuss the various essential principles and concepts present in this great sutra, it is obvious that my time estimates were quite inadequate. By adding more Saturdays, we should still be able to finish this class on April 1.
The Learning from Buddha College and Seminary offered this on-line course on the first part of Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra starting Saturday, November 26, 2022, at 9:00 am Pacific Standard Time and running through April 1, 2023. Course DCB21-“Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra: Forwards, Introductions, & Title” follows the same format as DCB26, which was completed on November 19, 2022. The course will be an informal discussion based on a series of questions about the Dharma transmitted by H.H Dorje Chang Buddha III that follows the title of the Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra. Included will be lessons on important background on the actual transmission of Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra; an introduction to this sutra and the sutra’s title by His Holiness; detailed explanations on each of the concepts of the Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra’s title including the three types of prajna, parami, ta, heart, and sutra; as well as a history of Dharma Master Xuanzang, the seventh century Chinese translator of the version of the Heart Sutra used in this series of courses.
If you wish to participate in these discussions, you will need to be a member of either the Buddhist Studies or Xuixing Seminary programs at Learning from Buddha College and Seminary and enrolled in DCB21-“Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra: Forwards, Introductions, & Title.” Please note that additional discussion sessions have been added. You will then be able to register for the Saturday morning group discussions on zoom below:
CLICK to register to receive the ZOOM link to attend the series of discussions listed below for DCB21.
| November 26-2022 | DCB21-LESSON 0A: Forwards with Important Background on Transmission of Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra; Questions 1-27 |
| December 3, 2022 | DCB21-LESSON 0B: Forward by Five Persons of Holy VIrtue; Questions 28-53 |
| December 10, 2022 | DCB21-LESSON 1: HH Dorje Chang Buddha III Imparts Dharma-Introduction; Questions 54-81 |
| December 17, 2022 | DCB21-LESSON 2: Introduction to the Title of the Sutra; Questions 82-117 |
| January 7, 2023 | DCB21-Lesson 3A: Prajna; Questions 118-139 |
| January 14, 2023 | DCB21-Lesson 3B: Prajna; Questions 140-156 |
| January 21, 2023 | DCB21-LESSON 4A: Three Types of Prajna-I; Questions 157-167 |
| January 28, 2023 | DCB21-LESSON 4B: Three Types of Prajna-I: Questions 165-181 |
| February 4, 2023 | DCB21-LESSON 4C: Three Types of Prajna-I; Questions 182-198 |
| February 11, 2023 | DCB21-LESSON 4D: Three Types of Prajna-I; Questions 199-220 |
| February 18, 2023 | DCB21-LESSON 4E: Three Types of Prajna-I; Questions 221-228, and LESSON 5A: Three Types of Prajna-II; Questions 229-253 |
| February 25, 2023 | DCB21-LESSON 5B: Three Types of Prajna-II; Questions 254-280 |
| March 4, 2023 | DCB21-LESSON 5C: Three Types of Prajna-II; Questions 281-295 |
| March 11, 2023 | DCB21-LESSONS 6A: Parami and 6B: Ta-Part I; Questions 296-327 |
| March 18, 2023 | DCB21-LESSONS 6B: Ta-Pt II, 6C & 6D: Heart and Sutra |
| March 25, 2023 | DCB21-LESSON 7A: History of Dharma Master Xuanzang |
| April 1, 2023 | DCB21-LESSON 7B: History of Dharma Master Xuanzang |
You may read the preliminary translation we have of Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra at the temple during scheduled retreats or schedule your own private retreat to do so. It is recommended that you read the sutra prior to attending the ZOOM discussion, if at all possible.
11-05-2022-CLICK for information on previous course in this series, DCB26-“How to Realize Prajna.”
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