Past Event – 2561 Vesak Day – Dhamma Talks by Prof Frank Hoffman

Date: 10 May 2017 to 12 May 2017(Wed)
Time: 3.30pm – 5.30pm (10 May), 9am – 5pm (11 May & 12 May)
Venue: The Buddhist Library
Click here to Register. ALL ARE WELCOME!

“Buddhist Ethics” – 10 May (Wed), 3.30pm to 5.30pm

This paper summarizes several Pali Buddhist sutta-s and shows the contributions these make to the Early Buddhist philosophical position on ethics. In “Discourse on the Lesser Analysis of Deeds” Buddhist views of social ethics are explained with reference to the varna (“caste”) system. The basic idea is that lowness and excellence results from what one does, not from being born into a particular caste. This is a contrast from the earlier brāhmanical view, in which varna determined lowness or excellence. In “Discourse on Perfect View” elimination of the Three Hindrances of ragā, dosa, and moha, translated below as greed, hatred, and confusion, are discussed. This last discourse is a cornerstone of Buddhist ethics and is of great significance for the experience of enlightenment. In “Discourse at Madhura” the view of the superiority of brāhmins to others is rejected. In “Discourse to Sandaka” the loud-mouthed Sandaka obtains some basic instruction in Dhamma.  In “Discourse on the Simile of the Cloth” Buddha said just like a dyer could dye and unclean cloth and make an unclearly dyed cloth, so a bad rebirth is expected when the mind is impure.  On the contrary, a dyer dying a clean cloth gets a good result, and so a good rebirth is expected when the mind is pure.

“Environment, Non-attachment, and Enlightenment” – 11 May (Thur), 9am to 5pm

9a.m. – 11:30 a.m: Application of “The Sun” Sutta from Anguttara Nikaya to Buddhist Thought and Practice (2.5 hours)

11.30am – 1.00pm: Break for lunch

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m: A Buddhist View of Human Relationships (1.5 hour)

2:30 – 3:00 p.m: Coffee or Tea Break

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m: Buddhism and Ecology (1 hour)

4:00 – 5:00 p.m: Understanding Emptiness (1 hour)

“Experience, Faith, and Practice” – 12 May (Fri), 9am to 5pm

9:00 – 10:30 a.m: Understanding Experience in Buddhism (1.5 hour)

10:30 – 11:30 a.m: The Role of Faith & Seeing Things As They Are (1 hour)

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m: Lunch break

1:00 – 2:00 p.m: Group Discussion of Practices (1 hour)

2:00 – 3:00 p.m: Developing Sila (ethics or morality), Samadhi (concentration), Panna (wisdom); eliminating  Elimination of Raga (obsession), Dosa (hate), Moha (confusion or delusion)

3:00 – 3:30 p.m: Coffee or Tea Break

3:30 – 5:00 p.m: Application of Buddhist Thought to Everyday Practice: Dealing with Anger