This is Module 1 of the Level 2 Buddhism Course by Vajrapriya used at Cambridge Buddhist Centre, UK (November 2007).
The resources include: notes for the course leader (including learning objectives, guide lines for input and exercises, background information, suggestions for home practice), and handouts
Week 1: Sraddha – Faith within a Buddhist context
Topics: Grounds of faith; developing faith; faith and doubt; faith and inspiration; experiences of faith.
- Notes for the course leader
- Handout 1 (2 pages): Faith within a Buddhist Context
- Handout 2 (1 page): Quotes on Faith
Week 2: Going for Refuge
Topics: Historical expressions of refuge; GfR as commitment; what are we taking refuge from?; where do we usually take refuge?; true and false refuges; Going for Refuge to the Three Jewels.
- Notes for the course leader
- Handout 1 (2 pages): Going for Refuge
- Handout 2 (6 pages): Background Reading on Going for Refuge
Week 3: The Buddha and Enlightenment
Topics: What is Enlightenment? Epitaphs & metaphors from the Pali Canon; qualities in terms of the 5 skandhas; the psychology of goal-setting (advantages and disadvantages).
- Notes for the course leader
- Handout (2 pages): The Buddha and Enlightenment
Week 4: Dharma as Truth Teaching
Topics: Buddha Vacana; Dharma as Truth Teaching; attitude to doctrine; importance of views; Going for Refuge to the Dharma
- Notes for the course leader
- Handout 1 (2 pages): Dharma as Truth Teaching
- Handout 2 (5 pages): Edited talk by Sangharakshita “The New Man Speaks” (background reading)
Week 5: Dharma as Path and Method
Topics: a toolkit of practices; the ‘three trainings’; progressive nature of the path; attitude to practice
- Notes for the course leader
- Handout 1 (2 pages): Dharma as Path and Method
- Handout 2 (1 page): One-week practice diary on threefold training
Week 6: The Sangha
Topics: What is the Sangha and why is it important?; how to Go for Refuge to the Sangha; Review of the 6-week course.
- Notes for the course leader
- Handout (2 pages): The Sangha