Study Invitation: The Single-Practice Samadhi of the Platform Sutra
"The Platform Sutra is simple in words and rich in meaning, brilliant of principle and provides all. It is replete in the immeasurable teachings of the buddhas. Each and every dharma is replete in immeasurable wondrous meanings...."
You are invited to join us this spring in our study of The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Ancestor. The teaching of a towering and revolutionary dharma genius, the Chinese ancestor Dajian Huineng, this text is regarded as essential in both the Soto and Rinzai lineages of Zen. We'll not only study the single-practice samadhi, but actualize it!
When
Part 1: Sunday, March 10 - Thursday, April 18 (six weeks), including an optional one-day retreat on Sunday, March 10 (which is not included in the course fee). During this session, we'll study the first six chapters of the text. In the fall of 2024, we'll offer Part 2 - a second course that will cover the last four chapters.
Where
Wherever you are, online here on Ghost and via Zoom.
What
This spring we'll study the first six chapters of an essential teaching in the Zen tradition, The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Ancestor.
Students in the course will have access to six talks that will be offered on Sundays, March 10 - April 14 (recordings will also be available), by Tetsugan Sensei, Dosho Roshi, and senior students. Students in the course will be invited to raise questions and engage in discussion on the Ghost site. Students will also be invited to attend AM zazen with the Vine students, Monday-Thursday, 6:00-7:00am CT, and chosan (brief morning meetings that involve Q&A with the teachers) on Thursdays following AM zazen (chosan ends by 7:20am CT). Finally, students may also request a practice meeting with each of the Vine teachers (Dosho Roshi and Tetsugan Sensei) during the 6-week course.
Note: this version of the course is for those who aren't current Vine students.
Expectations
Students in the course will be expected to attend the talks or view the recordings, complete the weekly readings, and participate in the Q&A/discussion about the text.
In order to increase the benefits from the course of study, students should be practicing zazen at least 300 minutes each week.
Register for the course
Registration deadline is Wednesday, March 6, 2024.
Become a $75 a month subscriber at the "Platform Sutra" level for March and April, 2024, and you will receive all the information necessary to fully participate (total cost for the course is $150). If you are a current subscriber, click the button below on the right and change your membership level (and then after April 18, you can change it back to your present level). You will continue to also receive all of the benefits of subscribing to the Vine of Obstacles Ghost site.
If you are a new subscriber, also click the button below on the right and become a member at the "Platform Sutra" level (and then after April 18, you can change it to your preferred ongoing level).
The text
We will use The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch, translated by John R. McRae. Paper copies are available at Amazon and a free PDF will be included in the course materials for participants.
Questions?
Contact us here: click.