“By definition, the realization of the Dharma is something totally unexpected, something you have never experienced before… Thus, each moment is a blossoming.”
– Dhammadīpā
In this four-week online course, we will explore the Zen understanding of self and non-self as it manifests in contemporary life. Experiencing the breadth and clarity of practice, we will study excerpts from Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi and teachings from various Zen Masters, including Dongshan Liangjie and Eihei Dogen.
Join Dhammadīpā, hosted by the San Francisco Zen Center, for a deep immersion into Zen practice.
Each session will consist of a pre-recorded Dharma talk and supplementary readings, complemented by a weekly live discussion on Zoom. For the first session, our readings will include excerpts from Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, available for purchase through SFZC’s online store.
Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind is available in SFZC’s online bookstore.
This Course Offers
• Four Dharma Talks, one each week
• Four virtual meetings, live for one hour each week
• Supplementary readings
Course Weeks
Week 1 — The Quality of Being — December 1
Explore how calm and harmony exist in every situation of daily life. Using the example of washing dishes, you will learn the value of being fully present in any activity, revealing a profound stillness and demonstrating how changes in our lives are opportunities for Dharma realization.
Week 2 — The Study of the Self — December 8
Delve into the study of self using teachings from Suzuki Roshi and Master Rinzai. Understand the importance of putting Buddhist teachings into practice and know that our human life is sufficient to experience Buddhanature.
Week 3 — Freedom within Form — December 15
Examine freedom within form using Zen teachings. Discover how each moment, though it may seem limited by perceptions and by the body, offers limitless opportunities for freedom and realization.
Week 4 — Facing Problems as Part of Practice — December 22
Learn the importance of facing and resolving problems instead of avoiding them. Dhammadīpā will share personal stories about how to use bodily pain and strong emotions as opportunities to deepen Zen practice.
Testamonials
“Dhammadīpā was a wonderful teacher! She covered so much important material in a very approachable way, and her embodied understanding of the teachings made the information very relatable.”
“I found Dhammadīpā’s teaching style and presentation to be very engaging. She is very knowledgeable and has a strong experiential background."
About Dhammadīpā
Dhammadīpā, the founder of Dassanāya Buddhist Community, has been practicing Buddhism since 1987. She is a Dharma Transmitted Teacher in the Suzuki Roshi lineage of Soto Zen and was previously ordained in the Theravada tradition for 5 years. In addition to English, Dhammadīpā teaches in Spanish, an expression of her Latin heritage.
She is an author whose work has appeared in the Buddhist publications “Lion’s Roar” and the “Buddhadharma” magazine. Dhammadīpā is the mother of a lovely adult daughter, and she enjoys sewing and watercolor painting.
