In case another is interested in one of the items on the pre-reading for workshop 2: MN56 Upali Sutta. (not sure where to put this).
Ajahn Brahmali’s reading of MN56 http://media.bswa.org/sutta_study/Brahmali_MN56.mp3
Bhikkhu Bodhi’s reading of MN56 (2 lectures though it actually begins at the last minutes of MN55) A Systematic Study of the Majjhima Nikaya | BODHI MONASTERY
Bhante Sujato’s reading of MN56 http://www.dhammanet.org/mn-56-upali-sutta
Bhante Gunaratana’s reading of MN56 (2 lectures) YouTube
Background:
Having gone through a number of teachings (including suttas) over the past few years haphazardly, I finally found a good starting place for the study on Gradual Training. It is not quite the full list but it is a very good start, necessary for one who gets confused by just the first steps (virtue then sense restraint and then mindfulness with wisdom).
For the study of any sutta, I normally use the BSWA sutta reading (general feel - good conditioning), Bhikkhu Bodhi’s reading (translator’s reading - sometimes there are good perspectives) and Bhante Sujato’s reading (comparative studies - instead of going through Ven. Analayo’s papers - Thank you Bhante Sujato. Waiting patiently for Madhayama Agama Vols. 2 and 3.).
Then, sometimes I’d do the Pali version (with the help of the hover-over dictionary) here too. And also look into other translations: PTS IB Horner, PTS Chalmers (I like old translations), etc. (Oh, and if I have the Agama in English…)