The Dhammapada
Virtual Event
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Dharma Seminar: Nov–Dec: The Dhammapada
November through January, Norman and senior Everyday Zen teachers will lead Dharma Seminar in reading The Dhammapada, part of the Pali Canon (Tipitaka or “Three Baskets”), a compendium of the earliest surviving Buddhist texts, written in the Pali language.
The Dhammapada is a collection of sayings of the Buddha in verse form — pithy, memorable verses offering practical guidance on ethical conduct, mental cultivation, and the path to liberation. Preserved in Pali for over 2,000 years, it remains one of the most widely read Buddhist scriptures today.
Main Text
Many translations of The Dhammapada are available. Norman will primarily be using and recommends the 2016 translation by Gil Fronsdal:
- Gil Fronsdal, The Dhammapada: A New Translation of the Buddhist Classic, foreword by Jack Kornfield (Shambhala Publications: 2016).
Alternatively, Thanissaro Bhikkhu’s 1997 translation is available to read online or download in PDF format:
- Thanissaro Bhikkhu, The Dhammapada: A Translation (Metta Forest Monastery, 1007), available on the Access to Insight website.
Schedule
- Nov 5 (virtual): Led by Norman
- Nov 12 (hybrid): Led by James Flaherty
- Nov 19 (virtual): Led by Norman
- Nov 26: No meeting (Thanksgiving)
- Dec 3 (virtual): Led by Christopher Dumbleton
- Dec 10 (hybrid): Led by Sue Moon
- Dec 17 (virtual): Led by Norman
- Dec 24 & 31: No seminar (winter break)
- Jan 7 (virtual): Led by Norman
- Jan 14 (hybrid): Led by Norman
- Jan 21 (virtual): Led by Norman
- Jan 28 (hybrid): Led by Norman
To Attend In Person
Seminar does not meet in person this week.
On the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, Dharma Seminar meets both in person at the Community Congregational Church in Tiburon and online in Zoom. Those who are able are encouraged to attend in person when seminar meets both in person and online (hybrid).
Registration is not required to attend in person. However, all in-person attendees are expected to review and follow our current Covid protocol.
To Attend Online
Dharma Seminar meets on Zoom every week.
To join Dharma Seminar online, please use the link below:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87537177726?pwd=dzNWZFhOWDh1bVFueHU1c1hzcDNLZz09
Meeting ID: 875 3717 7726
Passcode: 919827
About Dharma Seminar
The topic of study in seminar typically centers on a classical text, sometimes with additional readings, and changes more or less every month. The focus of our study is always on the application of the teachings to our daily lives. Students are asked to attend all meetings in a given month or seminar series, if possible.
The evening begins with a period of zazen followed by lecture and small and large group discussion.
Attending at the Community Congregational Church in Tiburon
Please arrive early with time to settle in. Chairs are provided. If you prefer to sit on a zafu, please bring your own.
Attending Online
Please enter the Zoom seminar room in time to settle into your seat for zazen. We encourage you to join with your camera on and to sit in front of your camera or nearby, with downcast or closed eyes as we do in the zendo. But you are welcome to leave your camera off if that’s more comfortable for you.
Please remain muted unless you have been invited to speak during group discussion and in the breakout rooms for small group discussion.
Please join in the chants with your mic off and follow any links or instructions shared in the group chat by the Zoom host.
Please give what you can. We cannot continue offering online teachings without your support.
In-Person Participants
Suggested donation for in-person seminar: $100 for the monthly series ($25 per session)
Online Participants
Suggested donation for seminar online via Zoom: $60 each month ($15 per session) or whatever you are comfortable contributing.
To receive information on upcoming seminars and other events, please subscribe to the Everyday Zen News & Events mailing list. Watch for monthly emails near the start of each month listing upcoming events and linking to event pages here on the website.
