This course presents a scientific and logical discussion of the nature of our lives and the source of happiness and dissatisfaction. It studies how the mind is the creator of our world and experiences and how the full potential of our mind can be achieved. 

What level is this Course

Beginner 

Prerequisite

Buddhism in a Nutshell is suitable for people encountering Buddhism for the first time, as well as for people who have heard or read some Buddhist teachings but would like a more structured approach to understanding the path to enlightenment as taught by Shakyamuni Buddha.

Course description

Buddhism in a Nutshell is an FPMT introductory course that provides an overview of Buddhism in general and Buddhism in the Tibetan Gelug tradition in particular.

This course presents a scientific and logical discussion of the nature of our lives and the source of happiness and dissatisfaction. It studies how the mind is the creator of our world and experiences and how the full potential of our mind can be achieved. 

The course consists of the following topics:

• what the mind is and how it works,
• the four noble truths – a look at happiness and suffering, how we create them, and how we can achieve lasting happiness,
• genuine empathy and compassion,
• the profound wisdom realizing the nature of reality,
• meditation and mind training as methods for transformation.

Each session consists of teachings along with short guided meditations. These teachings are supplemented by longer versions of the guided meditations, each approximately thirty minutes in length, for a total of ten guided meditations.

What will I learn on this course

You will acquire a basic understanding of the key concepts of Buddhism as taught in the Tibetan Mahayana tradition and an introduction to meditation and mind training practice in daily life.

You will have an overview of the entire Buddhist path to freedom and awakening, know what Buddhist meditation and mind training is, and their purpose. You will learn about the correct meaning and definitions of the popular terms like “karma”, “Dharma”, “samsara” and how they are related to your life. 

What will I take away from this course into my daily life

• You will learn meditation skills to still your mind and develop clarity and focus 
• You will be able to apply meditation skills to transform negative experiences 

More about this course

The five sessions of the course cover the following topics:

Session 1: The Buddha and His Teachings

Session 2: The Buddha’s Path to Enlightenment

Session 3: The Practices of Lower Scope

Session 4: The Practices of Renunciation and Bodhichitta

Session 5: The Practices of Calm Abiding, Special Insight, and Tantra

More detailed information is here.

Facilitator

Zarina Osmonalieva has been studying Buddhist philosophy since 2008 in Europe and India. She is very much inspired by the message of His Holiness the Dalai Lama about universal ethics – universal human values emphasizing the cultivation of warm-heartedness and kindness irrespective of whether one is religious or a non-believer and at the same time, finding herself inspired and dedicated to exploring the Buddhist view of human existence. She has facilitated two previous courses and finds joy in meeting new people and discussing Buddhist philosophy with them.

Course material

Our library provides “Buddhism in a Nutshell” books as well as CDs with MP3 files with guided meditations which you can borrow for the duration of the course. The course book, “Buddhism in a Nutshell: Essentials for Practice and Study”, includes teachings by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Lama Thubten Yeshe, and Venerable Amy Miller.

The course materials consist of the following resources:

• A detailed description of the course including an explanation of how to use the course materials and how to complete the course and qualify for a Certificate of Achievement
• Outlines of the topics and meditations covered in each session
• MP3 recordings of five guided meditations led by Ven. Amy Miller
• “Buddhism in a Nutshell” book, transcripts of all the teachings and guided meditations that can be downloaded as PDF files
• Supplementary materials that include summaries of the five guided meditations; an illustrated explanation of the seven-point meditation posture; a summary of the four noble truths; An Outline of the Path to Enlightenment by Nicholas Ribush; the short text Foundation of All Good Qualities by Lama Tsongkhapa, which is used to explain the path to enlightenment; and a glossary of common Buddhist terms
• Points for reflection that give course participants the possibility of sharing their thoughts with the Buddhism in a Nutshell facilitator

When is it

Start and end dates: April 23-May 28 2020 

Session duration: 18.00-20.00

Number of sessions: 5 

Day of the week: Thursdays 

Not happening / exclusion dates in the period of the course (if applicable)

Good to know

Buddhism in a Nutshell can be done either before or after the introductory course How to Meditate, in which Buddhist meditation is explored in more detail. However, if you are new to both Buddhism and meditation it is recommended to begin with How to Meditate and then do Buddhism in a Nutshell.

Please arrive 15 minutes before start time to register. 

Fika break 19.00-19.15 

Course price

Regular price – 595 sek

Reduced price – 475 sek