Hongaku Institute for Buddhist Studies
1501 Oak Ave #506
Evanston, IL 60201
Hongaku Jodo of Chicago has formulated
some more courses for persons interested in continuing their education. Each course is 10 lessons long and serves as an overview
into the particular subject. The subjects currently offered are Pure Land Buddhism in Context,Kamma and the
Ending of Kamma, and An Overview of Meditation Practice.
Ordained clergy and
teachers currently ordained and certified by the Hongaku organization will be happy to note that each course is worth 3 Continuing
Education Credits (CEUs) that can be applied toward your current certification. The CEUs obtained from these courses, especially
the Kamma course and the Meditation course can also be applied to certain other professional licenses as well. The courses
contain the same material and teaching that would be given at an all day workshop or a retreat.
Kamma and the
Ending of Kamma is a 10-lesson eCourse written by Ajahn Anandabhaya. Kamma
is who and what we are. When our world experience is not what we hoped it would be that is the result of our kamma. Everything
that happens to us is the result of conditionality, but not everything that happens to us is the result of our kamma, how
we react to it definitely is. Our personal psychology as it arises moment to moment is the direct result of our kamma. The
course will explore the Buddha’s teaching on kamma and its ending, the aggregates and the law of dependent arising.
The emphasis is on applied Buddhist psychology.
An Overview of Meditation Practice is a 10-lesson eCourse
that describes and gives instruction on the various forms of meditation. The first part of the eCourse describes the training
given by the Buddha and the commentaries, including the Visuddhimagga and Vimuttimagga. The latter part deals with meditation
practices found in the Mahayana, including Pure Land, Zen and Tibetan forms of meditation that are not found in the Pali Canon.
Special attention is placed on the jhanas and visualization methods. The instructors are from various traditions of Buddhism.
Pure
Land Buddhism in Context
This course of 10 lessons,
written by Sensei Mui Shin Shi, the Dharma Teacher of the Order of Hongaku Jodo Compassionate Lotus, guides you from Basic
Buddhism to a deeper understanding of the Pure Land Tradition.
Shaku Mui, the senior
teacher with Hongaku, is the tutor on the course, one of which he has taught on-line and in public for over 40 years. The
course covers Pure Land Buddhism in theory and practice and its context within the framework of Buddhism, both Old and New
Schools.
All courses may gain the participants 3 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) which may
be applied used by current Hongaku teachers to maintain their teaching and ordination certificates.
As a member of the study group, you will receive the lessons as email newsletters and will have access to an on-line
discussions forum to be constructed on the blogsite A Fistful of Sand. Lessons will be sent out at a rate of one
every 2-3 weeks and will take a maximum of 3 hours to complete, including engaging in discussion. The course will start during
the first week of March.
Cost
To sign up and pay for the course send a cashier’s check or money order for $75 payable to Hongaku
Jodo, 1501 Oak Ave, #506, Evanston, IL 60201, USA.
Below are testimonials from Students who
have taken some of the courses in the past.
"This course introduces Pure Land Buddhism to the Western mind was a
powerful personal journey for me that the very essence of Shakyamuni Buddha‘s own teachings. The nature of the teachings
is a wonderful method for contemplation, both for personal growth and development but also in a group setting. The discussion
questions are a great part of this. I find that in many of the lessons I was forced to confront myself." Jukai Courtney Chosui.
"This course offers a systematic training in Pure Land Buddhism that conveys not only the academic
facts but also the heart and human face of this school of Buddhism. I’ve recommend this revealing course to anyone interested
discovering more about this extraordinary philosophy and practice." Sacho Kosavich Sensei.
"The
Introduction to Pure Land Buddhism course was not only interesting and but often challenging. The course gave me the chance
to enrich my personal practice and provide deeper insights during corporate practice and discussion. I am very grateful for
Shaku Mui Shin Shi’s inspirational direction." Joshua C.
“After taking the course
on Karma I found relationships flowed easier and life became less of a challenge and more of an adventure. The course was
a cause of my introspection. It is true that understanding my own karma was a condition of changing my response to the world
and its response to me.” Kelsang Dekyong.
“All my life I thought there was just Vipassana and Zen. I never
realized that there were so many objects of mediation and techniques taught by the Buddha. The practices are clearly explained
and the instructions easy to follow. I am very grateful for the teachings and have used them in my own practice. My toolbox
has gone from two methods to dozens, each helping me in a different ways. In my professional practice I have passed these
teachings on to my clients who have benefitted tremendously.” John F., PsyD.
