Buddhism in a Nutshell Course Materials (v. 2024-25)

 

Buddhism-in-a-Nutshell 

A Course In Buddhism Essentials 

 

 

Session 1 

  1. Welcome everyone [15 minutes] Jim 
  • Introduce Facilitators 
  • Why we are here – plan on 4 more sessions 
  • Overview of the course – The starting point of Buddhism is reasoning or understanding or in Pali words Samma-ditthi. 

2, What is suffering (Dukkha in Pali)? [30 minutes] Tom 

  • The meaning of Dukkha 
  • The 8 types of suffering 

3.What is the cause of Suffering? [30 minutes]  Jim 

  • In the Khandasutta, the Buddha tells us “And what, monks, the noble truth of the origin of suffering?  It is this craving, causing renewed existence, accompanied by delight and lust, delighting here and there – that is, craving for sensual pleasures , craving for existence, craving for non-existence.  This is called the noble truth of the origin of suffering” 
  • The 3 poisons – attachment to greed, attachment to hatred & ignorance (not understanding the Four Noble Truths). 

4.Closing Both [15 minutes] Tom & Jim 

  • Questions? 
  • Our next scheduled session –  

 

Chart of Major Course Components:  

Click to Enlarge-

 

 

The Four Foundations 

Session 2 

  1. Welcome everyone [15 minutes] Jim 
  • Introduce Facilitators 
  • Why we are here – plan on 10 more sessions 
  • Overview of the course – The starting point of Buddhism is reasoning or understanding or in Pali words Samma-ditthi. 

2, What is suffering (Dukkha in Pali)? [30 minutes] Tom 

  • The meaning of Dukkha 
  • The 8 types of suffering 

3.What is the cause of Suffering? [30 minutes]  Jim 

  • In the Khandasutta, the Buddha tells us “And what, monks, the noble truth of the origin of suffering?  It is this craving, causing renewed existence, accompanied by delight and lust, delighting here and there – that is, craving for sensual pleasures , craving for existence, craving for non-existence.  This is called the noble truth of the origin of suffering” 
  • The 3 poisons – attachment to greed, attachment to hatred & ignorance (not understanding the Four Noble Truths). 

 
 

4.Closing Both [15 minutes] Tom & Jim 

  • Questions? 
  • Our next scheduled session 

 

 

Buddhism-in-a-Nutshell 

 

Session 3 

 

  1. Welcome everyone [10 minutes] Jim
  • Introduce Facilitators
  • Why we are here – Brief summary of past sessions
  • Overview of the course – The starting point of Buddhism is reasoning or understanding or in Pali words Samma-ditthi

2, What is the Fourth Noble Truth, the Noble 8-Fold Path [20 minutes] Tom 

  • The importance of Path
  • How to use the 8 Factors of the Path (i.e. grouping, non-linier, ref Dependent Origination …)

3.The first Factor “Right View” [15 minutes] Jim 

  1. The second Factor “Intention” [15 minutes] Jim
  2. The third Factor “Speech” [15 minutes] Tom

6.Closing Both [15 minutes] Tom & Jim 

  • Questions?
  • Our next scheduled session – 

 

Essences of Right View  

 
Right View (Samma Ditthi) is the first element of the Noble Eightfold Path and lays the foundation for all other elements. Here are its essential points: 
1. Understanding the Four Noble Truths: Recognizing the reality of suffering (dukkha), its origin (samudaya), its cessation (nirodha), and the path leading to its cessation (magga). 
2. Law of Karma: Understanding that actions have consequences. Good actions lead to positive outcomes, while negative actions lead to suffering. This understanding guides ethical behavior and decision-making. 
3. Impermanence (Anicca): Acknowledging that all conditioned phenomena are transient and subject to change. This realization helps reduce attachment and promotes acceptance of change. 
4. Non-Self (Anatta): Understanding that there is no permanent, unchanging self. This insight helps reduce ego and self-centeredness, leading to greater compassion and wisdom. 
5. Interdependence (Paticca sam uppada): Recognizing the interconnectedness of all things and how various conditions give rise to experiences. This understanding fosters a sense of responsibility and mindfulness in our actions. 
 

Right Understanding provides the wisdom needed to guide one’s thoughts, actions, and speech in accordance with the principles of the Eightfold Path. It serves as the compass for the journey toward enlightenment and liberation from suffering. 

 

 

Buddhism-in-a-Nutshell 

 

Session 4 

 

  1. Welcome everyone [15 minutes] Jim
  • A 5 minute Meditation
  • Introduce Facilitators
  • Why we are here
  • Overview of the course – The starting point of Buddhism is reasoning or understanding or in Pali words Samma-ditthi.
  • A quick Review of previous sessions

2.The fourth Factor “Right Action” [15 minutes] Tom 

  1. The fifth Factor “Livelihood” [15 minutes] Tom
  2. The sixth Factor “Mindfulness” [15 minutes] Jim

6.Closing [15 minutes] Tom & Jim 

  • Questions?
  • Our next scheduled session –

 

 

Buddhism-in-a-Nutshell 

 

Session 5 

 

  1. Welcome everyone [20 minutes] Jim
  • A 5 minute Meditation
  • Introduce Facilitators
  • Overview of the course – The starting point of Buddhism is reasoning or understanding or in Pali words Samma-ditthi.
  • A quick Review of previous sessions [Chart]

2.The seventh Factor “Effort” [20 minutes] Tom 

  1. The eighth Factor “Concentration” [20 minutes] Jim

6.Closing [15 minutes] Tom & Jim 

  • Questions?
  • Our next scheduled session – 

 

Appendix  

 

A .pdf format document of this page’s content can be found here. 

 

Four Noble Truths:   

  1. Suffering exists  
  1. Suffering arises from attachment to desires  
  1. Suffering ceases when attachment to desire ceases  
  1. Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold Path  

Noble Eightfold Path:[Text Wrapping Break] 

Three Qualities  Eightfold Path 
Wisdom (panna)  Right View 
  Right Thought 
Morality (sila)  Right Speech 
  Right Action 
  Right Livelihood 
Meditation (samadhi)  Right Effort 
  Right Mindfulness 
  Right Contemplation 

 

  

 

 

 

Three Characteristics or Marks of (Samsara) Existence:

  1. Transiency (anicca)  
  2. Sorrow (dukkha)  
  3. Selflessness (anatta)  
  4.  

 

Hindrances:

  1. Sensuous lust  
  1. Aversion and ill will  
  1. Sloth and torpor  
  1. Restlessness and worry  
  1. Sceptical doubt  

Factors of Enlightenment:

 

  1. Mindfulness  
  1. Investigation  
  1. Energy  
  1. Rapture  
  1. Tranquillity  
  1. Concentration  
  1. Equanimity  

The Five Aggregates 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 The Five Aggregates (skandhas) are:
1) Form (rupa) is made up of

  • earth  
  • water  
  • fire  
  • wind  

2) Feeling (vedana) is one of: 

  • pleasant
  • unpleasant  
  • neutral  

Feelings arise when there is contact between the six internal organs and the six external objects.[Text Wrapping Break] 

Internal Organ  External Object 
Eye  Sight 
Ear  Sound 
Nose  Odor 
Tongue  Taste 
Body  Touch 
Mind  Mental Object 

3) Perception (samjna) a is related to the six external objects  

4) Volition (samskara) is the response of the will to the six external objects 

5) Consciousness (vijnana) grasps the characteristics of the six external objects 

  • Visual consciousness  
  • Auditory consciousness  
  • Olfactory consciousness  
  • Gustatory consciousness  
  • Tactile consciousness  
  • Mental consciousness  

 
 
  The Ten Fetters of Worldly (Samasara) Existence:

  1. Self-delusion  
  2. Doubt  
  3. Clinging to Ritual  
  4. Sensuous Lust  
  5. Ill Will  
  6. Greed for Fine Material Existence  
  7. Greed for Immaterial Existence  
  8. Conceit  
  9. Restlessness  
  10. Ignorance  

 

 

The boundless states or brahmaviharas are considered friends on the way to Nirvana. They help in dissolving the idea of a separate self. [Text Wrapping Break] 

  1. Loving kindness  
  1. Compassion  
  1. Sympathetic Joy  
  1. Equanimity  

Near enemy is a quality that can masquerade as the original but is not the original. Far enemy is the clearly opposite quality. The boundless state serves as an antidote for the quality mentioned as the far enemy. 
 

The Brahma Viharas  
Pali  English  Description  Near Enemy  Far Enemy 
metta  loving kindness  good-will, friendship, unconditional love for all beings  selfish love  hatred 
karuna  compassion  empathy, to feel with someone instead of for someone  pity  cruelty 
mudita  sympathetic joy  spontaneous joy in response to others success  hypocrisy  envy 
upekkha  equanimity  even-mindedness based on insight into the nature of things  indifference  anxiety 

  

The Ten Perfections (Paramis) are: 

 

  1. Morality (sila)  
  1. Renunciation (nekkhamma)  
  1. Wisdom (panna)  
  1. Energy (viriya)  
  1. Patience (khanti)  
  1. Truthfulness (sacca)  
  1. Resolution (adhitthana)  
  1. Loving-Kindness (metta)  
  1. Equanimity (upekkha)  

 

THE JHANAS 

 

Jhana (Pali) or dhyana (Sanskrit) is a term in Buddhism that refers to states of deep concentration and meditative absorption. Jhana is a core aspect of Buddhist meditation practice in the Theravada and early Buddhist traditions. 

Jhanas are a sequence of progressively deeper states of concentration, each characterized by specific qualities and experiences. These states are achieved through sustained and focused meditation on a chosen object, such as the breath, a mantra, or a visualized image. The practitioner gradually moves through these stages, refining their concentration and insight. 

The specific number and characteristics of jhanas can vary across different Buddhist traditions, but a common description often includes four main jhanas, plus four formless jhanas, resulting in a total of eight. 

 

The First Jhana  

his stage is marked by initial detachment from sensory distractions and the arising of a joyful, blissful state. The mind becomes unified and one-pointed on the chosen object of meditation. 

 

The Second Jhana 

In this stage, the initial joy transforms into a more refined, serene contentment. The meditator experiences a deep sense of tranquility and inner peace. 

 

The Third Jhana 

The experience of happiness further refines into equanimity. The practitioner becomes less attached to both pleasure and pain, entering a state of balanced mindfulness. 

 

The Fourth Jhana 

Equanimity becomes even more profound, resulting in a state of pure equanimity and mindfulness. The practitioner experiences a deep sense of mental clarity, balance, and focused awareness. 

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