by Mary Ann | May 24, 2012 | Study Resources
By Peter Carlson
When the future Buddha, Siddhatha Gotama, left his comfortable family life, his intention was not to start a religion. Setting aside the mythical cultural add-ons of later generations, there is no evidence that he consulted with the relevant religious authorities of the time, the Brahmans, in his quest. Embedded in the story is his preoccupation with the human problem of suffering. He, like Jesus of a later era, was considered first and foremost a healer, even to the use of diagnostic terms set out in Buddhist doctrine: what are the symptoms (1st Truth, suffering), what is the cause of the disease (2nd Truth, craving and clinging), what is the cure (3rd Truth, the release of craving and clinging that Nibbana represents), and the applied intervention (4th Truth, the Eightfold Path). The essential ingredient of the Eightfold Path is the cultivation of Panna, wisdom. (more…)
by Mary Ann | May 4, 2012 | Study Resources
Buddhism Without Beliefs: Chapters 5 – 8
Stephen Batchelor’s Buddhism Without Beliefs: A Contemporary Guide to Awakening
offers a practical, step-by-step tool for fostering/nurturing awakening now.
Below, OIMG Book Club members offer reflections on the insights they are experiencing from our weekly reviews of each chapter. (more…)
by Mary Ann | Apr 7, 2012 | Study Resources
By Katharine (Kitty) White
On the evening of Friday, March 30th, I joined 5 other Sangha members (Wanda, Arthur, Rose and Lynnette) in experiencing the Last Friday Silent Supper at Judy Douglas’ home. After everyone had arrived and exchanged warm greetings, we gathered in front of Judy’s laptop to watch a video.
It featured Dr. Lilian Cheung, who co-authored the book, Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life
with Thich Nhat Hanh. She reviewed the seven practices of mindful eating.
(more…)
by Mary Ann | Mar 24, 2012 | Study Resources
Buddhism Without Beliefs: Chapters 1 – 4
Stephen Batchelor’s Buddhism Without Beliefs: A Contemporary Guide to Awakening offers a practical, step-by-step tool for fostering/nurturing awakening now.
Below, individual OIMG Book Club members offer in their own words reflections on the insights they are experiencing from our weekly reviews of each chapter, starting with chapters 1-4. (more…)
by Mary Ann | Mar 10, 2012 | Study Resources
In reading Stephen Batchelor’s 1997 book Buddhism Without Beliefs: A Contemporary Guide to Awakening, I personally found the book to be just that—a practical tool one might use to foster/nurture awakening now.
Over the past couple of months, Peter has been suggesting we individually and as a sangha explore “What will (our) Buddhist community, centered here in Winter Park FL, look like in the 21st century?” The Wednesday dharma talks are offering a lot of practical tools/ways that we can bring the dharma into our day to day lives.
At a sangha steering committee meeting, in response to varied discussion about coming up with ways to answer that question further, I volunteered to help initiate some type of sangha (Oprah?) book club, starting with Batchelor’s book. (more…)
