(reading a bit more today…)
What is the Function of Buddhism?
The Function of Buddhism is to support our cultivation of virtues, mental clarity, and wisdom.
This puzzled me. I thought the function of Buddhism was to end suffering?
This would be a great place for a quote from the suttas regarding the Four Noble Truths.
I recommend trying to make it through two chapters of the textbook per week,
As a parent frustrated for decades by the robotic conveyor belts of the US school system, I protest time objectives. They are cruel. Please focus on learning objectives, what we should learn. And perhaps the simplest learning objectives would be to read and understand a handful of suttas, using the provided material as guides.
Putting Cruelty First - Judith Shklar.pdf
What a fascinating read! “Why must you liberals always put cruelty first?”
Then I read MN8 and just started laughing. There the Buddha put cruelty first…
MN8:12.2: ‘Others will be cruel, but here we will not be cruel.’
Stages of Enlightenment.pdf
Great chart. One of the threads this chart brings up is rebirth and non-return. That might be a critical study thread to follow because it forces us to face the uncomfortable truth that conventionally we all crave rebirth and continued existence. In other words, “why on earth would we want to not return?”
Buddhist Intro Anthology Bhikkhu Bodhi.docx
The endless redirection of the abhidhamma is vexing. Perhaps provide direct links to the suttas themselves followed by a link to Bhikkhu Bodhis own paper, which is difficult to read. SC is so much more legible.
What Buddhism does uniquely have is the path beyond suffering. For, no matter how rich and privileged you are, no matter how nice and kind and even saintly you become, even the best life still has its ups and downs.
and why do we have to wade through all the preceding to read this heart-felt gem?
Keep it here, but start out with it as well. Here’s a mysterious quote from the Buddha that could start the whole document:
AN6.61:8.4: That’s how a mendicant directly knows what should be directly known and completely understands what should be completely understood. Knowing and understanding thus they make an end of suffering in this very life.”
It’s from a sutta that has all the disciples confused, eyes crossed, hands waving. A wonderful sutta. Throw them in the deep end of the pool. Your course is the lifesaver.