Widening our Perspective

Module 12 of An Introduction to Buddhism Course home 1: Hearing the Dharma2: Arousing Mindfulness3: Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem4: Cultivating Love5: Seeing the Four Noble Truths6: Entering the Path7: Understanding Karma8: Refining the Mind9: Deconstructing the Self10: Facing our Problems11: Integrating the Path12: Widening our Perspective13: Living Well14: Creating a Better Tomorrow

Wisdom is the ability to recognize and contextualize our experience.

Photo by Serge Ottaviani, CC BY-SA 3.0

Readings

Biography of Shakyamuni Buddha – Ven Master Hsing Yun (.pdf) (.epub) (.pdf)

Continue with Chapters 39–44 on how the Buddha responded to tragedy in the early Saṅgha.

• NOTE: Chapter 40 is missing from the above PDF. It can be read online here

The Noble Eightfold Path: The Way to the End of Suffering – Bhikkhu Bodhi (.pdf) (.epub) (.mp3)

The result of mindfulness is increased mental clarity. Chapter 7 (“Concentration”) discusses these heightened states of consciousness.

Fundamentals of Buddhism – Peter D. Santina (.pdf)

Chapter 7 of Fundamentals discusses how Concentration leads to “Wisdom”

Being Nobody, Going Nowhere: Meditations on the Buddhist Path – Ayya Khema (.pdf)

Chapter 9 (“Four Kinds of Happiness”) outlines the happiness beyond sensual indulgence which is accessible through meditation.

What the Buddha Taught – Walpola Rahula (.pdf) (.pdf)

And the Nirodha Chapter of WTBT is optional reading for this module on wisdom’s ultimate goal: Nibbāna

Lecture

This module, I’m excited to introduce you to Ayya Santussika Bhikkhuni: a Theravada nun living in California.

Right View – Ayya Santussikā Bhikkhunī (.m4a)

In this talk, Ayya revisits the teachings on karma and explains how to hold them wisely.

Further Listening

For more talks by Ayya Santussika, see her teacher page on DharmaSeed.org.

Homework

Here are a couple reflection questions for today’s lesson. And with only two modules left to go…

Continue to Part 13, Living Well

...or go back to part 11