Sutra Studies Program | The Vimalakirti Sutra

October through December, 2019

In October, we will begin the second part of the  study and practice of the major Mahayana Sutras. Our focus will be on the Vimalakirti Sutra.

The Vimalakirti Sutra

In the annals of Buddhism, the Vimalakirti Sutra is quite unique, since the major protagonist is not the Buddha, a bodhisattva, or a senior monastic disciple. Rather it is the layman Vimalakirti, a married businessman in Vaishali in Northern India fully engaged in all activities of his family and city, i.e “the full catastrophe”. The sutra has had great significance to lay people because it epitomizes the ideal of the awakened lay practitioner. While highly regarded by all Mahayanists, it is particularly respected in the Zen tradition. As you will discover in your own reading, the sutra is also revered because of its incredible wisdom, drama, and even humor.

The sutra is believed to have been written in the early years of the Mahayana movement, around 100 CE.  One of the goals of the Mahayana movement was to open the practice to wider segments of the population and to give a larger role to lay people. In their view, lay practitioners, and not just monastics, can realize enlightenment in this lifetime and lead the life of a selfless bodhisattva. This text is a seminal expression of that aim.

Eligibility

As a reminder, this FCM offering is for experienced members, especially those who have been participating in Wisdom Intensives and retreats.  It is for those who have a strong enthusiastic interest in plumbing the philosophical and psychological depth of the Buddhist teachings, a keen intellect, and a significant degree of self-discipline. This will be a course of study that Fred will oversee and guide, but it will primarily rely on the self-direction of the student.  We will be reading translations of the sutra, plus written and oral commentaries where available.  

Sutra Studies Objectives:

1. To learn how to read, contemplate, and practice The Vimalakirti Sutra.
2. To understand how to incorporate what you are learning into your practice/life.
3. To build a learning community within FCM dedicated to studying the Buddhist sutras and other teachings found within the corpus of historical Buddhist teachings.

Format of the Sutra Studies Program:

The layout and methodology of the Sutra Studies Program will be more similar to a master’s level academic program than to a traditional FCM Intensive.  Fred will not be offering regular Dharma talks per se. Each month students will be assigned readings and practices, participate in a 1 ½ hour colloquium with Fred, and participate in a facilitated small peer group discussion.   After cultivating the ground with reading, practice, and peer discussion, the colloquium will be an opportunity for teacher/student transmission though questions, discussion, and other inquiry and practice. 

As this program will not emphasize a strong meditative component, Fred’s expectation is that students participate in a Dharma or Wisdom Path Intensive concurrently with the Sutra Studies Program. The suggested approach to the one-hour study and practice commitment of the Sutra Studies and the one-hour study and practice commitment of Intensive is a balanced combination of one to two hours of meditation, study, and other practices per day.  

Commitments:

Study & Practice:

• Spend a minimum of one hour daily in formal study, reflection and meditation, and/or other practices related to these studies.
• Read the assigned Dharma texts.
• Regularly attend weekly Sangha and Daylong Retreats to maintain your meditation practice and support your community.

Participate in Colloquiums &  Sutra Study Groups:

• Be present for monthly Colloquiums with Fred via Zoom.
• Participate in your assigned monthly Sutra Study Group via Zoom. Monthly Study Groups will continue as in the Spring/Summer depending on the number registered.  We will make any necessary re-arrangements after registration closes.

Cost and Registration:

To participate in the The Fall Sutra Studies Program, please register through this link.  If you did not participate in the first part of the program, please consult with Fred before joining.

The deadline for registration is Sept 16.

The cost of the Sutra Study Program, October through December 2019 will be $75. (Like Intensives there is no cost for Supporting and Sustaining Members)

If you have any questions please call or email: Christina Walker (202-203-0855 or ciwalker520@gmail.com) or Betsy Arizu (813-765-3860 or barizu@yahoo.com)