
In this lecture, I introduce myself as a devout Practitioner of the Path who used to be a Buddhist Monk in Fo Guang Shan Monastery in Taiwan. The purpose of teaching these Buddhist courses is to share my knowledge and experience in Buddhism with those who are interested in self-practice and actualization. All practices should involve the Three Acts of Goodness in some way by relating the teachings to the level of actions, speech, and thoughts.
This class provides a brief introduction to The Diamond Sutra and explains why the teaching of Emptiness is so highly regarded in Buddhist practice. By understanding the context surrounding the Sutra, one is better able to relate its teachings to everyday life.
In Part 1 of the Diamond Sutra, we introduce the main question from Subhuti to the Buddha, "How should Boddhisattvas abide their mind and subdue their thoughts?"
Chapter 1: Convocation of the Assembly
Chapter 2: Subhuti Requests the Teaching
Chapter 3: The Bodhisattva Vow
Chapter 4: Unattached Practice of Charity
Chapter 5: Physical Attributes of Buddhahood
Chapter 6: The Merit of True Faith
Chapter 7: No Attainment, No Teaching
Chapter 8: Real Merit Has No Merit
In Part 2 of the Diamond Sutra, the Buddha explains the inconceivability of this Sutra by describing the rarity of a person who understands its teachings as well as the immesaurable merits one attains by simply receiving, retaining, and sharing it.
Chapter 9: The Four Stages of an Arhat
Chapter 10: Transformation to a Buddha World
Chapter 11: Merits of this Sutra
Chapter 12: The Most Extraordinary Merit
Chapter 13: Naming of the Sutra
Chapter 14: A Mind Without Attachments
Chapter 15: The Sutra Is a Supreme Vehicle
Chapter 16: Purgation of Bad Karma
In the final lecture, please apply what you've learned from the course into the Three Acts of Goodness Framework.
Think deeply and write at least 5 daily actionable practices you can incorporate into your daily life related to the three areas: Good Deeds, Good Speech, Good Thoughts.
This is the most important part of the course as everything you've learned is now tested by seeing how much of it is useful to you and how well you can bring the Teachings of Emptiness into life.
In this course, we read and analyze the entire Buddha text, The Diamond Sutra, while explaining the underlying meanings and context surrounding the teaching.
This is one of the most popular Buddhist texts and is one of the central texts for the Buddhist School of Emptiness. The teaching of Emptiness is especially important to our study of Buddhism because it highlights the Middle Path, one that refrains from all extremities. As a result, we can find peace of mind that is free from greed, anger, and ignorance, the three poisons that inhibit our spiritual awakening.
The Diamond Sutra explores four key concepts: giving without attachment to self, liberating beings without notions of self and other, living without attachment, and cultivating without attainment. By practicing these teachings in our everyday lives, we can free ourselves from suffering associated with a strong attachment to ego, false thoughts, and impulsive actions.
The course consists of 4 sections: The introduction, the background of the sutra, the reading and analysis of the sutra, and finally the summary of the practice.
By structuring the course such wise, we allow you to not only understand the teaching by reading it first hand, but I also provide deep insight into the context, underlying meaning as well as practical steps to incorporating the teachings of Emptiness into an easy-to-understand practice.
Best wishes and hope you enjoy the course.
Byron Li.