Studying the Buddha’s Words
The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha
A Course in the Majjhima Nikaya with Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi
This ongoing course offers the opportunity to study the Majjhima Nikaya with one of the co-translators of the influential English translation, The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha (Wisdom Publications). The class starts at 9:00 am with an hour silent meditation. This is followed at 10 am by a talk on a sutta, with time for questions. A discussion period led by the teacher will be held after lunch, from noon to 12:30 pm. Newcomers are welcome.
Schedule for May through July 2013:
| Date | Sutta No. | Sutta Title | Main Topic |
| May 18th | 95 | With Canki | How to realize the truth |
| May 25th | 97 & 99 | Dhananjani Sutta & Subha Sutta | The role of the brahmavihāras |
| June 1st | 101 | At Devadaha | How is striving fruitful? |
| June 15th | 103 & 104 (&& 1-11, 21-22) | Kinti Sutta & Samagama Sutta | Ensuring the Dhamma lasts long |
| June 22nd | 105 | Sunakkhatta Sutta | Training without misconceptions |
| June 29th | 108 | Gopakamoggallana Sutta | After the Buddha’s passing |
| July 13th | 109 | Long Discourse on Full-Moon Night – 1 | On the five aggregates |
| July 20th | 109 | Long Discourse on Full-Moon Night – 2 | On the five aggregates |
| July 27th | 110 | Short Discourse on Full-Moon Night | On good & bad conduct |
Online Class (Live TV) / Past Classes Video Clips
Reference Material: (1) Basic Meditation Guidance ; (2) Sharing the Merits
In the Mahayana doctrine of the threefold bodies of the Buddha, Vairocana is the cosmic embodiment of the historical Buddha. Of the three bodies, Vairocana is regarded as the highest form, a god of light whose reflection throughout the universe is represented as endless. His wisdom is the wisdom of the Dharmadhatu. The Dharmadhatu is the realm of truth in which all things exist as they really are. Vairocana’s wisdom is also referred to as the all-pervading wisdom of the dharmadhatu, the absolute Buddha-nature.