sutra

Sutra Study in a Zen Practice

The calligraphy shown here is a rather familiar one for many Zen students. It's of Huineng (the 6th Patriarch) tearing up a sutra. (Who needs those pesky sutras anyway!) And yet, according to most accounts, the Zen master often quoted the sutras, readily rebuked those who disparaged them and often lectured on many of their 'sticking points'. In fact, Huineng regularly recommended the Diamond Sutra to his followers. (He was reported to have become enlightened upon hearing a monk recite it in the marketplace.)

And so, is there something in the sutras for Zen students ... something in the sutras for all students of Buddhism ... for all on a spiritual path?

Announcing Sutra Study in a Zen Practice - a short, three-session reading group to help us get started in the study of some of the Buddha's earliest sutras. (Sutra reading groups are collaborative efforts, where we all attempt to glean for ourselves the meanings of sutras.) Each session will focus on a single sutra (also called sutta in the Pali language) and will consist of two separate group discussions held on consecutive Sundays. In the first discussion, we will examine that session's sutra from a more traditional, 'full-bodied' Buddhist perspective. This discussion will be facilitated by John Taber (long-time meditation student, Buddhist scholar, author and professor in the UNM Department of Philosophy). In the second week of each session, we will continue our examination of the sutra from what we might think of as a more 'nuts and bolt', 'point A to point B' Zen perspective. This discussion will be facilitated by Jim Redel (long time meditation student and member of AZC).

• As a Zen student, have you always been interested in the sutras, but just didn't know where or how to get started?
• Are you already a student of the sutras, perhaps perplexed by their lack of stature in traditional Zen practice?
• Maybe you are on a spiritual path and are wondering if Buddhism is something you should consider?

Join us - beginner or advanced, Buddhist or Zen Buddhist or seeker. You will enjoy and undoubtedly benefit greatly from participating in and contributing to these group discussions!

Below is the schedule of the three sessions - with links to the sutras themselves. As there may be concepts that are brought forward from one session to the next, we highly encourage you to attend all the sessions. But with that said, it is certainly possible for you to attend individual sessions as your schedule permits.

The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta

Setting in Motion the Wheel of the Dhamma
Week 1: Sun March 31st, 1:30 - 2:45
Week 2: Sun April 7th, 1:30 - 2:45
Readings: The Sutta,   (PDF)   Getting Started

The Anupada Sutta

One by One (A Progression of Insights)
Week 1: Sun April 14th, 1:30 - 2:45
Week 2: Sun April 28th, 1:30 - 2:45
Readings: The Sutta,   (PDF)   Getting Started

The Angulimala Sutta

With Angulimala
Week 1: Sun May 5th, 1:30 - 2:45
Week 2: Sun May 12th, 1:30 - 2:45
Readings: The Sutta,   (PDF)   Getting Started

Be sure read the sutra in advance and bring a copy of it to the discussions. (A limited number of copies will be available.) Lastly, be sure to check out the 'Getting Started' link!

Donations

Donations are voluntary, with a suggested donation of between $10 and $15 per two-week session. Donations can be dropped in the donation box at AZC or you can use the donate button below.