FutureLearn

Buddhism: Diamond Sutra and Zen Meditation (FutureLearn)

Offered by HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education,
Buddhism: Diamond Sutra and Zen Meditation (FutureLearn)

Discover the secrets of the Diamond Sutra and learn how its Buddhist teachings promote living in serenity and ease. Explore the meaning of ‘prajñā-pāramitā’ in relation to attaining buddhahood. How can we resolve afflictions? The Diamond Sutra is one of the most historically important texts in Buddhism. On this course, you will explore the meaning of ‘prajñā-pāramitā’ from the Diamond Sutra. You will learn why and how the zen school uses the teachings of the Diamond Sutra to attain buddhahood.

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You will also consider the four stages of buddhahood and what is meant by the ‘adornment of the pure land’.

Syllabus

Week 1: Course introduction
Week 2: To attain Buddhahood in ‘day-to-day’ experiences
Week 3: The Unconditioned Phenomena are the heart of attaining Buddhahood
Week 4: Four stages of Buddhahood and Adornment of the Pure Land
Week 5: From a person who ‘receives and holds four-lined verses’, to a buddha who ‘expounds the four-lined verses for to others’
Week 6: The Unconditioned Phenomena is “The Vájra-cchedikā Prajñā-pāramitā”

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explore the concept of ‘emptiness’ in The Diamond Sutra
  • Apply the right thought to practice, so as to understand the Buddha-nature behind the transient aspects of matters
  • Apply the right thought to experience ‘emptiness’ and subdue every affliction in daily life
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