London Zen Centre

Foundational Courses

Introduction to Buddhism 1
This course examines the primary teachings of the Buddha and their implications for living in today's world. These universal and timeless truths not only show us the source of our anxiety, but also point the way to sorrow's end. Click here to register

No Prerequisite
Instructor: Guy Gaudry
Text: Buddhism Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen

Fall Class: September 22–October 20, 2010
Winter Class: January 12–February 2, 2011
Time: 7:40pm
$40 (members - no charge)

Introduction to Buddhism 2
This course looks closely at the fourth Noble Truth of the Buddha and lays out a practical and effective way to deal with the world as we find it. It is the art of seeing — a way to peace and sanity that is total freedom of mind. Click here to register

No Prerequisite
Instructor: Guy Gaudry
Text: Buddhism Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen

Fall Class: November 3–November 24, 2010
Winter Class: February 9–March 2, 2011
Time: 7:40pm
$40 (members - no charge)

Dependent Arising and the Unlocatable Self
This course focuses on the two most profound, liberating, and unique teachings of the Buddha—the interdependence of all things and the emptiness of self. Presented here simply and clearly, these teachings are as vital today as they were 2,500 years ago. Click here to register

Prerequisite: Introduction to Buddhism I or II
Instructor: Bev Forsman
Text: Buddhism Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen

March 9–April 13, 2011
Time: 7:40pm
$40 (members - no charge)

The Precepts of the One Mind
The Buddhist precepts are not moralistic rules that people are expected to obey. Rather, they constitute the practice of enlightenment, and a commitment to living in accordance with Truth and Reality. This course will be presented as a weekend worshop, participants will have the option of taking the Buddhist Precepts in a formal ceremony following the Sunday class. Click here to register

Prerequisite: Introduction to Buddhism I or II
Instructor: Bev Forsman
Text: Class handouts

April 16–April 17, 2011
Time: Saturday and Sunday - 9am to 3pm, lectures and medtation. A vegetarian lunch will be served both days.
$75 (members - no charge)

Zen Courses

The Diamond Sutra
Beyond the basic wisdom teachings of the Buddha—The Four Noble Truths, The Eightfold Noble Path, Dependent Arising and the Unlocatable Self, and The Precepts of the One Mind—lies the Prajñaparamita, or Wisdom Beyond Wisdom teachings. Building on the basic teachings of the Buddha, the Diamond Sutra teaches how we may cut through our basic views of reality—ourselves and the world—to awaken to Reality unencumbered by theory, speculation, or belief. Click here to register

Prerequisite: Completion of Foundational Studies
Instructor: Steve Hagen
Text: Class handout - The Diamond Sutra

September 20, 2010–December 13, 2011
Time: 7:40pm
$80 (members - no charge)

The Six Perfections
The Perfections, which are central to Mahayana Buddhism, are derived from the three branches of the Eightfold Noble Path: conduct, practice, and wisdom. The first four Perfections (giving, morality, patience, and vitality) relate to ethical conduct. The fifth Perfection is meditation, and the sixth is the Perfection of Wisdom itself. Like the Precepts, the Perfections are not rules of conduct, but expressions of the enlightened mind. Click here to register

Prerequisite: Completion of Foundational Studies
Instructor: Steve Hagen
Text: Class handout - You are Buddha

January 10, 2011–February 14, 2011
Time: 7:40pm
$40 (members - no charge)

The Dawn of Zen
This course is a study of two early Zen texts, "Trusting the Heartmind" (Hsin Hsin Ming) and "The Merging of Difference and Unity" (Ts'an T'ung Ch'i). These texts draw our attention to actual experience and inspire us to place our trust and energy there, rather than in our time-bound, mental constructs of thought and belief. Click here to register

Prerequisite: Completion of Foundational Studies
Instructor: Steve Hagen
Text: Class handouts

February 28, 2011–April 4, 2011
Time: 7:40pm
$40 (members - no charge)

The Introduction to Dogen
Dogen Zenji, one of the most influential teachers in the Soto Zen tradition, brought Soto Zen from China to Japan in the thirteenth century C.E. This course focuses on Dogen's essay Genjokoan, which translates roughly as the Realization of Ultimate Reality. This is a foundational piece for much of Dogen's writings and provides an ideal introduction to this great writer and teacher. Click here to register

Prerequisite: Completion of Foundational Studies
Instructor: Steve Hagen
Text: Class handouts - Genjokoan

April 18, 2011–May 23, 2011
Time: 7:40pm
$40 (members - no charge)

london Zen Centre

London Ontario Canada

Foundational Courses

Zen Courses