On Tuesday evenings beginning September 4, and continuing through October 9, the Florida Community of Mindfulness will offer a six-week introductory course, Buddhism: The Basics, at the FCM Center in Tampa. The course is suitable for people with a general interest in Buddhism, as well as for both new and experienced practitioners who want to expand their understanding of the Buddha and his fundamental teachings.

We will begin with the actual life of the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, an archetype of a human being awakening to the true meaning and purpose of life. Then we will delve systematically into the fundamental teachings of the “path of awakening” that he promulgated during the course of his nearly forty-five years of active teaching. Finally, we will examine the various practice and meditative paths that have developed within the Buddhist tradition over the past 2600 years.

Talks will be supplemented by a list of suggested readings.

Classes will be held Tuesday evenings, 7:00 to 8:30 pm, September 4th through October  9th in the Meditation Hall of the FCM Practice Center, 6501 North Nebraska Avenue in Tampa. Cost for this six-week class is $60.

If you have any questions, please contact Bill Mac Millen at bmacm21@gmail.com

Course Facilitators:

Maria Theresa Jaureguizar began her Buddhist  practice in 1994 with Gyokuko Carlson at the Dharma Rain Zen Center in Portland Oregon.  In 2011 she found a home with the Florida Community of Mindfulness and became a student of Fred Eppsteiner.  She is active in the Order of Interbeing (OI) as an aspirant, OI council member and  a student of the Five Year Dharma Transmission Program. She enjoys sharing time with sangha friends and  helping others by leading classes in meditation and mindful living. She currently works in the senior services field with county government.

Bill Mac Millen has been a practitioner with the Florida Community of Mindfulness and a student of FCM's teacher Fred Eppsteiner since 2013. He is an aspirant in Thich Nhat Hahn's Order of Interbeing (OI) and a student in FCM's Dharma Transmission Program. Previously Bill worked in law enforcement with the Tampa Police Department and as an investigator in the communications industry before retiring in 2016.