Buddhist Classes at the Central Coast Dharma Center
The Central Coast Dharma Center offers numerous classes at the Center as well as online. Our most popular class is Basic Buddhism which is an 8-week introduction for those looking to learn more about Buddhism. We also offer classes on the various Mahayana Sutras including the Threefold Lotus Sutra. Classes are taught by various ministers and lay teachers from across many traditions.
We also offer weekly meditation classes suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators. We offer several techniques so you can find the one that suits your need including Vipassna, Samantha and chanting. Please click HERE to see the current calendar of classes.
We also offer weekly meditation classes suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators. We offer several techniques so you can find the one that suits your need including Vipassna, Samantha and chanting. Please click HERE to see the current calendar of classes.
Basic BuddhismThis is an 8-week introduction to the basic elements of Buddhism. As the world's fourth-largest religion with over 520 million followers, Buddhism encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and spiritual practices based on the teachings (Dharma) attributed to the Buddha Shakyamuni who lived in the fourth or fifth century BCE in what is now Northern Nepal.
Learn the core teachings common to all Buddhist teachings with an emphasis on the Ekayana "One Vehicle" tradition. You will learn about the most widely observed fundamentals include taking Refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha; The Four Noble Truths; the Eightfold Path; the Law of Causation; the Six Perfections; and the Three Great Dharma Seals. The class is offered at no cost but a certificate and one-on-one coaching is available for a donation of $25. Click here to contact CCDC to learn when the next classes begin. |
Sutra Study
The teachings of the Buddha are preserved in various writings called Sutras. The study of the various sutras can help guide your life and improve your happiness and peace. The Center offers individual classes as well as series to help you learn more and deepen your Buddhist practice. We use a wide range of sutra materials including from the Theraveda tradition by Ajahn Geoff of Metta Wat Monastery, the Mahayana tradition like Susan Salzberg of the Insight Mediatation Center, and Ekayana tradition of Nichiko Niwano of Rissho Kosei-kai.
Our most popular sutra class is on the Wondrous Dharma of the Lotus Sutra, one of the foremost Mahayana Buddhist texts. The Lotus Sutra is an amazing combination of stories, poetry, imagery and predictions in which the Buddha Shakyamuni expounds the ultimate truth of life to which he was enlightened. The sutra’s key message is that Buddhahood, the supreme state of life characterized by boundless compassion, wisdom and courage, is inherent within every person without distinction of gender, ethnicity, social standing or intellectual ability. CCDC offers an 8-Week Introduction to the key points in the Sutra and how they can help improve our lives. We also offer a weekly study group that cycles every 90 days that takes a deeper dive into the Sutra using Buddhism for Today which was written by Rissho Kosei-kai Founder Nichiko Niwano.
Click here to contact CCDC to learn when the next classes begin.
Our most popular sutra class is on the Wondrous Dharma of the Lotus Sutra, one of the foremost Mahayana Buddhist texts. The Lotus Sutra is an amazing combination of stories, poetry, imagery and predictions in which the Buddha Shakyamuni expounds the ultimate truth of life to which he was enlightened. The sutra’s key message is that Buddhahood, the supreme state of life characterized by boundless compassion, wisdom and courage, is inherent within every person without distinction of gender, ethnicity, social standing or intellectual ability. CCDC offers an 8-Week Introduction to the key points in the Sutra and how they can help improve our lives. We also offer a weekly study group that cycles every 90 days that takes a deeper dive into the Sutra using Buddhism for Today which was written by Rissho Kosei-kai Founder Nichiko Niwano.
Click here to contact CCDC to learn when the next classes begin.
Meditation
Meditation is an approach to training the mind, similar to the way that fitness is an approach to training the body. But many meditation techniques exist — so how do you learn how to meditate?
“In Buddhist tradition, the word ‘meditation’ is equivalent to a word like ‘sports’ in the U.S. It’s a family of activities, not a single thing,” University of Wisconsin neuroscience lab director Richard J. Davidson, Ph.D., told The New York Times. So that means there are different meditation practices and different techniques. So which one will work best for you? How is meditation different from mindfulness?
To answer these and other questions, CCDC offers a 1-hour introductory class on how to begin a meditation practice and how it can work in your life. There are also opportunities for regular sittings and retreats. Click here to contact CCDC to learn when the next classes begin and putting the word "Meditation" in the comment box.
“In Buddhist tradition, the word ‘meditation’ is equivalent to a word like ‘sports’ in the U.S. It’s a family of activities, not a single thing,” University of Wisconsin neuroscience lab director Richard J. Davidson, Ph.D., told The New York Times. So that means there are different meditation practices and different techniques. So which one will work best for you? How is meditation different from mindfulness?
To answer these and other questions, CCDC offers a 1-hour introductory class on how to begin a meditation practice and how it can work in your life. There are also opportunities for regular sittings and retreats. Click here to contact CCDC to learn when the next classes begin and putting the word "Meditation" in the comment box.