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Lincoln Towers University Course: The Core Teachings of the Buddha
Course Description:
This course introduces a number of the core teachings of the historical Buddha as represented in
the Pali Canon, the first century BCE written record of the Buddha’s teaching. The teachings are
given a historical context and explanation, and participants have the opportunity to explore and
discuss contemporary applications of the core teachings.
Texts and source material: See attached resource list and reading suggestions for each class.
Session 1: Introduction
Siddhartha Gautama, The Buddha’s place in the development of human thought and history.
The Critical Insights: (The Awakening)
Dependent Origination: The way things are
The Four Ennobling Truths
The Ennobling Eight Fold Path: The skills to manage the way things are
The Mindfulness Method: Putting the teachings into practice
Session 2: The Ethical Context of Dependent Origination – Becoming Awakened
Karma: Understanding cause and effect, dukkha and the end of dukkha
The Five Precepts: Training in skillful living
The Mindfulness Method: Reflection on actions, before, during and after
Session 3: A Historical Perspective on the Teachings
The Buddha: Siddhartha Gautama became the Buddha, the life of the man
The Sangha: The community of followers who embody and teach the Dhamma
The Dhamma: Remembering and preserving the core teachings
Buddhism in Asia: South East Asia, China, Japan, and Tibet
Buddhism in the West: A new frontier
Buddhism in the United States: The ethnic and the meditation communities
Session 4: Liberation: The Goal of the Spiritual Life
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Understanding the Buddha’s teachings in the spiritual milieu of the Indus culture:
The cycle of birth and death, reincarnation/rebirth, not-self
Nibbana: The experience of liberation
The Arahant: The person who has accomplished liberation
The Mindfulness Method: Developing Insight and Wisdom
Suggested Readings:
Armstrong, Karen (2001). Buddha. Penguin/Viking, NY, NY.
Blomfield, Vishvapani (2011). Gautama Buddha: The life and teachings of the awakened one.
Quercus, London.
Goldstein, Joseph (2003). One Dharma: The emerging western Buddhism. HaperCollins, NY,
NY.
Jack Kornfield (2007). Meditation for Beginners. Boulder Colorado, Sounds True.
Smith, Huston & Novak, Philip (2003). Buddhism: A concise introduction. HarperCollins, NY,
NY.
Session 1: Introduction
Armstrong. Introduction
Kornfield. Sections 1, 2, & 3.
Smith & Novak. Chapters 2, 3, 4 & 5.
Session 2: The Ethical Context of Dependent Origination – Becoming Awakened
Goldstein. Chapters 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7.
Kornfield, Follow your interests.
Session 3: A Historical Perspective on the Teachings
Armstrong. Chapter 1 – 6.
Blomfield. Chapters 1 – 10.
Smith & Novak. Chapters 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13 – 18.
Session 4: The Dhamma – More of the Core Teachings
Goldstein, Chapters 6 – 12.
Kornfield, Follow your interests.
Smith, Chapter 6.
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Lincoln Towers resident Don Cornelius. Don has a master's degree in social work from Adelphi
University, a doctorate in social welfare from the City University of NY, and a graduate degree
in religious studies from Yale University. He is Professor Emeritus, at Molloy College, Rockville
Centre, NY and was on the faculty of the Fordham University Graduate School of Social
Services.He has been studying the teachings of the Buddha and its implications for contemporary
living since 1997. In 2010 Don completed a program of intensive study and practice at the Barre
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Instructor:
Center for Buddhist Studies, in Barre, MA. Currently he volunteers as leader of the program
evaluation team of the Lineage Project, a City based program that teaches awareness based
practices to adolescents in the juvenile detention centers, alternative high schools and other youth
oriented social service organizations in New York City.
Contact Information: [email protected]
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Note: Class sessions are scheduled to meet on Tuesday evenings November 15, 22, 29 and
December 6, 2016 from 7:30-9:00 in the Community Room on the basement level at 185
West End Avenue, NY, NY