Teachers
Ying Chen, Phillip Moffitt (selected teachings, see below)
Prerequisite
It is strongly recommended to be oriented to the Naturally Arising Practice Method before beginning this Sutta Study & Practice Intensive. If you are new to this practice method, you are encouraged to learn and practice with these teaching pages and/or enroll in Intro to the Naturally Arising Practice Method: On-Demand Class Series.
Format
Two live sessions daily and an opening evening session (details below)
Description
Many people summarize the Buddha's teaching as being "all about suffering." While suffering is a central concern of the Dharma, it is far from the whole story.
Throughout the Pali Canon, the Buddha speaks of the beautiful, joyful, and wholesome qualities that naturally emerge through sincere practice. One striking example is the sequence of five qualities embedded within the teaching of liberative dependent origination. As understanding of suffering deepens, confidence in the Dharma grows, giving rise to an unfolding spectrum of well-being:
In the Upanisa Sutta (SN 12.23), the Buddha compares this natural unfolding to rain falling on a mountain peak and gradually making its way to the ocean:
“It’s like when the heavens rain heavily on a mountain top, and the water flows downhill to fill the hollows, crevices, and creeks. As they become full, they fill up the pools. The pools fill up the lakes, the lakes fill up the streams, and the streams fill up the rivers. And as the rivers become full, they fill up the ocean.”
In the same way, each wholesome quality supports the next. Through practice, joy and peace are not manufactured or forced; they arise naturally when the conditions for them are present.
During this Sutta Study and Practice Intensive period, we will explore this spectrum of happiness through the Naturally Arising Practice method in a direct and experiential way. Rather than trying to eliminate life's difficulties, we will learn how to meet them with understanding, confidence, joy, tranquility, well-being, and collectedness.
Through meditation, reflection, inquiry, and experiential exercises, we will investigate how these qualities can become living realities in the midst of life. Together, we will explore what it means to cultivate a joyful and liberated heart amid the ordinary conditions of daily life.
We strongly encourage participants to attend the live sessions. If it is not possible to do so, listening to recordings is a possibility. As the teachings will unfold in a flow, it is best to follow the flow of teachings and guided meditations as they are offered.
Phillip will lead a couple of the morning sessions in this Sutta Study and Practice Intensive. Ying will lead all other sessions.
Schedule
Sunday, August 2 — Opening Night
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm PT, Welcome and Opening Session
Monday, August 3 - Friday, August 7 — Daily Schedule
7:00 am – 8:30 am PT, Morning Session
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm PT, Evening Session
Model of Mutual Support
This program is offered in the Buddhist tradition of dāna, which means freely giving. When you register, you will see donation options ranging from $45 - $450. However, you are welcome to offer any amount you wish below or above this range. Finances need not be a barrier to participation. Any offering is gratefully accepted, tax-deductible, and supports both the teachers and Dharma Ground.