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The Buddha

Module 2 of An Introduction to Buddhist Practice

The Buddha is our teacher, guide, and spiritual friend who shows us the way out of our suffering.

Photo by The Cleveland Museum of Art

Homework

For the rest of the class, we’ll have some “homework” assignments before each lecture.

For this module, please read Chapter 1 from Buddhist Life, Buddhist Path – Bhikkhu Cintita (.pdf) (.epub) (.pdf)

And also:

SN 56.31 Sīsapāvana Sutta: In the Rosewood Forest (.pdf)
  • In this famous sutta, the Buddha explains why he taught the Four Noble Truths among all the many truths that he had discovered.

Lectures

Enlightenment is the Highest Happiness – Ajahn Brahm (.mp3)
  • We say that the Buddha “Awakened” and that “Nirvana” is the goal of the Buddhist practice, but what does that even mean? What is “Enlightenment” anyway?
Kalyanamitta: A Good Friend – Bhante Yuttadhammo (.mp3) (.mp3)
  • What makes someone a “good friend?” And why is good friendship said to be “the whole of the holy life?”
Continue to Part 3, Generosity

...or go back to part 1