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September 2021
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8 September to 21 December (Online)
Secular Buddhist Network’s course on Exploring a secular dharma
taught by Ciara Cullen, Lorna Edwards and Mike Slott
In this online course we will explore the key ideas and practices of secular Buddhism, an important trend which has emerged in western Buddhism in recent years. We will be using as primary sources for this course Stephen Batchelor’s book, After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age, and After Buddhism: A Workbook, written by Winton Higgins, and based on a series of dharma talks he gave on Batchelor’s book in Sydney, Australia.
The course will provide both secular Buddhists and those curious about secular Buddhism the opportunity to gain a greater appreciation and understanding of a secular approach to the dharma. In this course we will:
- Identify and explain the key concepts of secular Buddhism
- Contrast secular Buddhism with traditional/institutional forms of Buddhism
- Sketch a vision of secular Buddhist practice for individuals and communities
For more information, click here.
October 2021
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20 October to 24 October (Online & Onsite)
Buddha-Stiftung’s Five Day Study Retreat with Stephen Batchelor on the Eightfold Path
taught by Stephen Batchelor
We will spend 5 days intensively studying the Eightfold Path through dhamma talks, meditations, discussions and question and answer sessions. The Study Retreat will be held in the English language.
During the retreat, Stephen Batchelor will offer a secular reinterpretation of the Eightfold Path that is appropriate and helpful for our contemporary world. Stephen suggests a different order of the limbs of the Eightfold Path and offers a new interpretation of each limb.
For more information, click here.
November 2021 to November 2022
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2 November 2021 to 9 November 2022 (in-person)
Secular Dharma: An Extended Programme of Study, Practice and Community – Bodhi College
taught by Martine Batchelor and Stephen Batchelor
This course takes a secular rather than a religious approach to the teachings of the Buddha. In it, we will emphasize the humanity of Gotama and the practical applications of his teaching in this world, and encourage each student to find his or her own way of practice within the secular/religious spectrum of their own lives.
For more information, click here.