Online Teachings: Venerable Dhammadipa on Kumarajiva's Meditation Manual - Lecture 1, 3rd Feb. 2021

This is the first lecture of the two-month long teachings by Ven. Dhammadipa, starting from 3rd Feb 2021, organized by KJ Somaiya Institute of Dharma Studies, Somaiya Vidyavihar University. These teachings are based on one of the three meditation manuals ascribed to Kumarajiva in Chinese catalogues: the Chanfa yaojie, which Ven. Dhammadipa has translated into English. The special features of the text are the incorporation of bodhisattva ideas into classical Buddhist meditation. He will use selections from the text to explicate the meditation method in comparative light, drawing extensively upon his study of the Abhidharmakosa and his long years of study and practice guided by his teachers of the forest tradition in Sri Lanka and Burma. About the Teacher: Ven. Dhammadipa was born in Czechoslovakia, where he studied Chinese literature and philosophy. He later pursued his studies in Jerusalem, Berlin and Paris, before enrolling at the Nalanda University in India to study Sanskrit and Buddhist philosophy. He then lived in Japan, Sri Lanka and Burma, studying and practicing as a Buddhist monk under renowned contemporary masters of Buddhism. One of his principal teachers was the Burmese meditation master Pa Auk Sayadaw, who recognized him as his first Western disciples qualified to teach meditation. Ven. Dhammadipa has taught the Dharma extensively, in both theory and practice, and led students in meditation retreats in Europe, North and South America, India, China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. The schedule is weekly, every Wednesday, for a duration of 2 months. Teaching Commence: Wednesday, 3rd Feb. 2021 Schedule: Teachings: 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm; Discussion: 7.00 pm to 7.30 pm For enquiries: [email protected]