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Section 1: Buddhist Meditation
What is Meditation? Meditation is a common term that is quite vague, yet, it is also defined in Buddhism. In this section of the course, we will learn about Dhyana, or meditation and what is the practice of meditation. Instruction shall be given and enquiry into what it is to meditate.
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Lesson 1: The Practice of Dhyana (Meditation)
Lesson 2: The Four Foundations of Mindfulness
Assignment for Section 1: Meditation
Section 2: Buddhist Principles
In this section of the course, you will learn about the basic principles of Buddhism. It is what is witnessed and experienced through meditation. These principles are undeniable, and always present.
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Lesson 3: The Three Universal Characteristics
Lesson 4: The Five Skandhas (Aggregates)
Section 3: The Four Noble Truths
We shall now spend some time on the Buddha's first teaching, what is considered to be 'The First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma'. It is principally to understand the one of the universal characteristics we have been studying, 'Dukkha'. Dukkha is often translated as Suffering; however, it is far broader than the English term suggests. For this section of the course, we'll be reading from Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche's book - 'The Truth of Suffering and the Path of Liberation'.
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Lesson 5: The First Noble Truth – The Truth of Suffering
Lesson 6: The Second Noble Truth – The Truth of the Origin of Suffering
Lesson 7: The Third Noble Truth – The Truth of Cessation
Lesson 8: The Fourth Noble Truth – The Buddhist Path
Section 4: Other Buddhist Principles
In this section, we'll tie in other principles known to Buddhism, including Karma and the Buddhist understanding of Re-birth.
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Lesson 9: Karma
Lesson 10: Rebirth
Assessment
Final assessment
Private: Learn Buddhism 1

Lesson 6: The Second Noble Truth – The Truth of the Origin of Suffering

 

Instructions:

We continue with Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s book, ‘The Truth of Suffering and the Path of Liberation’.

Note: You can also download the lesson’s investigations and exercises in the tab above.

 

Reading:

Book required: The Truth of Suffering and the Path of liberation

From your book, read Chapter 3: The Power of Flickering Thoughts in The Truth of Suffering and the Path of Liberation by Chogyam Trungpa

 

Investigations

Why do you think Buddhism emphasises absentmindedness as the cause of suffering rather than external circumstances?

‘The practice of meditation is designed not to develop pleasure but to understand the truth of suffering’ – Does this differ from what you perceived meditation to be? Why/Why not?

Why do thoughts bewilder? Why is there uncertainty?

Can you write about a time that something minute for you turned into something large?

 

Next

From your book, read Chapter 4: The Development of Set Patterns in The Truth of Suffering and the Path of Liberation by Chogyam Trungpa

What do you consider to be the most important points that Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche makes in this chapter?

 

From your book, read Chapter 5: Perpetually Re-creating Suffering in The Truth of Suffering and the Path of Liberation by Chogyam Trungpa

What do you consider to be the most important points that Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche makes in this chapter?

 

Exercise

Create a huge circle out of pebbles, keep some space between them as we don’t want it a closed circle or draw a circle with some openings; you can use whatever you can come up with and call it awareness. Put everything you are passionate about and desire on the inside of the ring. Be mindful as you start placing your objects or cuts out or pieces of paper you’ve written your passions and desires on and place them one at a time. Then, notice if other thoughts spring from the one you’ve just placed down, quickly write it down and put it in.

Notice how the space in the circle starts to disappear.

Notice the stuffiness of the circle.

Can you see the cause and effect through the psychodrama you’ve created from what Chogyam Trungpa says about the little flickering thoughts and little flickering of attention?

Note: Keep the circle for the next exercise.

Congratulations, you have now completed lesson 6 Click the next button below to continue to Lesson 7.

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