Class Plan
1st Class: On Buddha (Awakened One):
What is Buddhism? Awakening in truth/peace, Delusion > problem,
desire > suffering
Why Zen is needed? To stop karma > witness nirvâna (no-wind: unconditioned
peace)
How to do Zazen? Bodily, breathing, mental forms & functions in order, free full
functioning
2nd Class: On Dharma (Form/Norm, phenomena/law operating in them):
What is the Triple Treasure? Buddha: Dharma: Sangha, not fiction, fortune and
fame
What is the Dharma, Karma? 12 Dependent Origination (see attached illustration)
Dharma world: Indra-net: limitlessly interdependent, 3 x 2 karmas > karma-
machine
3rd Class: On Sangha (Community):
Limitless life, light, liberation and love: selfless: holy ~ ocean, selfish: sinful ~
bubble
Three Dharma Marks: impermanence: suffering (duk-kha: wrong-going),
selflessness
Mahayana ideal: Bodhisattva (awakening being) vow: saving others first and self
last
4th Class: a) Sîla (Morality):
Three Learnings: Sîla (morality), Samâdhi (concentration), Paññâ (prognosis:
insight)
5 Precepts: no killing, stealing, lying, sexual misconduct, intoxicant
10 Precepts : 5 Precepts + no reproach, censure/self-praise, begrudging, anger,
defaming of the Triple Treasure
b) Samâdhi Concentration):
Nir-vâna (nibbâna: ni-vâta: no-wind: no-karma: unconditioned peace)
Four Meditation Stages: investigation, contemplation, joy, comfort, concentration
1st o o o o o
2nd x x o o o
3rd x x x o o
4th x x x x o
5th Class: Paññâ/Prognosis
Unsurpassed awakening in Dependent Origination: suññatâ (voidness): selflessness
4 Paññâs (= 4 Embracing Matters): giving, loving words, beneficial actions,
sameness
5 Dharma Bodies: Three Learnings + liberation, liberation knowledge
8 Knowledges: 5 duty-fulfilling-knowledge, observation-k., equality-k., mirror-k.