Date: 13 Sep – 22 Nov 2023 (Wed)
Time: 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Fees: this course is freely offered
Venue: The Buddhist Library
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About this class

The Sutta Study Class, as the name indicates, is a study of five suttas over eleven Wednesday evenings. It is targeted at persons with some knowledge of Buddhism who wish to further deepen their understanding of this spiritual tradition.

The suttas have been selected to cover three areas of importance for Buddhists: sīla (morality), samādhi (concentration) and pañña (wisdom). In each class, presenters will go through the suttas in depth so one is able to develop one’s understanding of them.

Who is this class for?

  • Persons with some knowledge of Buddhism and who wish to further develop their understanding of Buddhism.

What are the suttas covered? 

Sīla (morality)

  1. “Vyaggapajja Sutta” – on welfare and happiness
    presented by Bro Jono Rusly, 13 Sep 2023
  2. “Sigālovāda Sutta” – a laypersons’s code of ethics
    presented by Bro Tham Weng Yew, Sep 20 & 27 (two-part lesson)
  3. “Sāleyyaka Sutta – the Brahmans of Sala
    presented by Bhante Jothi, Oct 4 & 11

 Samādhi (concentration)

  1. “Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta”  – the Foundations of Mindfulness
    presented by Bhante Soma, Oct 18, 25, Nov 1, 8

 Pañña (wisdom)

  1. “Dhammacakkapavattana sutta” – Setting the Wheel of Dhamma in Motion
    presented by Bhante Jothi, Nov 15 & 22

Presenters

Profile image of Bhante Wimalajothi

Bhante Wimalajothi

Venerable Wimalajothi graduated with First Class Honours from the University of Peradeniya and taught at the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies of University of Peradeniya from 1992 to 1996. He subsequently went to the UK where he resided for 14 years.

Venerable Wimalajothi has received several academic awards for his competence in Pali, and in 2021 he obtained his PHD with the University of Kelaniya. He is currently a resident monk at the Buddhist Library.

Profile image of Bhante Somananda/Ven Dr Somananda

 Bhante Soma

Bhante Akiriye Somananda arrived in Singapore in December 2019 from Sri Lanka. Born in 1976, Venerable resides at the Buddhist Library (BL). He is assisting Venerable B. Dhammaratana in all Dhamma activities and teaches Meditation and Buddhist Studies at the postgraduate classes at the BL.

Bhante Akiriye Somananda graduated with Ph.D from the University of Peradeniya and worked in Encyclopaedia of Buddhism in Sri Lanka from 2018 – 2019.

Profile Image of Dr Tham Weng Yew

Dr Tham Weng Yew

Dr Tham Weng Yew has helped conduct the Discovering Buddhism course for many years. He has a special interest in Buddhist history, art and culture.

Dr Tham is the author of the book, “Sacred Relics of the Buddha”, which explores the tradition of worshipping the Buddha’s bodily remains.

Profile Image of Jono Rusly

Bro Jono Rusly

Bro Jono is a director with a Singapore-based global bank and a Chartered Financial Consultant. He has a MA degree in international relations, a MA degree in Buddhist Studies, has written several academic papers on Comparative Buddhism and philosophy, and is pursuing a PhD in Comparative Philosophy at Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Bro Jono has facilitated numerous programs at the Buddhist Library.

Register 

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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just attend a few sessions?

  • You are encouraged to attend all the sessions to fully benefit from the class. That said, if you are intending to attend selected sessions only, please also complete the Eventbrite registration.

I don’t know anything about Buddhism, can I attend?

  • It is not advisable as you may not be able to follow the contents of the class. Please attend the Meditation and Dhamma class which is taking place on Saturdays.