AudioDharma

In the suttas (discourses of the Buddha), the Buddha was often asked to teach “the Dhamma in brief.” His response was tailored to the asker, and often provided a basis for going off to practice in seclusion. Some of these folks got just the instruction they needed to awaken.

Within the early Buddhist teachings, there is the notion that receiving just the right Dhamma teaching can trigger a shift in a person’s heart. We may imagine this in a magical way, like a “big bang” moment or a special transmission caused by the teacher. But the suttas suggest that transformation is conditioned mostly by the actions and mindstate of the listener.

In this class, we’ll explore some examples in the suttas of these “Dhamma in brief” teachings, in which the Buddha instructs a person with a pithy “nugget” for training. Some people were monastics, and some were laypeople not so different from us.

Importantly, in each case, we’ll also step back and consider some of the broader conditions that may have contributed to the person’s ability to benefit from the teaching. This may inform our own practice here and now, suggesting practical ways we might attune our engagement with the teachings.

Our exploration of this topic aims to provide (1) a survey of possibilities to support reflection on our own practice, and (2) pragmatic instructions we can try in order to deepen our connection to the Dharma we hear. (It does not aim to be complete or academically rigorous). Participants will benefit from trying out the practices suggested for the duration of the class.

Sessions include teaching, meditation, sutta readings, and group discussion.

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