The Buddha’s Teachings for Everyday Living
Open Enrollment ends March 25, 2025 (Early Bird Discount is available)
Classes start on April 6, 2025 – 6 p.m online
The online Buddhism 101 Course – Awakened Living: The Buddha’s Teachings for Everyday Life. Discover how the Buddha’s teachings can transform the way you live as a layperson (non-monastic), offering profound insights into money, relationships, sex, parenting, work, and more. This 4-week, 3-class series explores how to live a more awakened and conscious life, embracing the blessings and challenges of daily existence with mindfulness and wisdom. Learn practical tools to cultivate inner peace, navigate life’s complexities, and awaken to the fullness of the present moment.
Each of the 3 online classes is designed to provide actionable steps for applying the Buddha’s wisdom to contemporary challenges. By embracing mindfulness practices, you’ll learn to navigate life’s complexities with clarity and compassion, ultimately creating a more fulfilling and balanced existence. Join us to unlock the potential of the Buddha’s teachings and embark on a path toward genuine peace, prosperity, and inner freedom.
101: Module 2 – Open Enrollment, No Prerequisites
This Module 2 course is part of the Buddhism 101 course series, designed to offer accessible and engaging introductions to various aspects of Buddhist philosophy and practice. Each module in this series stands alone, meaning you can enroll in any module without needing to complete others first. Whether you’re new to Buddhism or deepening an existing practice, you can jump into the topics that interest you most without worrying about prerequisites.
Module 2 delves into the Buddha’s timeless advice for living an awakened and mindful life, offering practical insights and transformative practices to help you navigate modern challenges with clarity and compassion. Through his teachings, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how to cultivate wisdom, presence, and inner peace in your daily life.
Book Selection
April 6. Be Free Where You Are by Thich Nhat Hanh
April. 27 & May 4. The Buddha’s Teachings on Prosperity by Bhikkhu Basnagoda Rahula
We also want to let you know that the Buddhist Faith Fellowship is part of the non-profit Amazon Affiliate Program. This means that when you purchase any item through our affiliate links above (click on book titles), a small portion of the sale helps us cover operating costs and fund our programs. Your support allows us to continue and expand our offerings, bringing the Dharma to more people. Thank you for walking this path with us!
The Course
Pre-requisites: none.
Education: This course covers history, discipleship, basic Buddhist philosophy and psychology, mindfulness practice, practical advice for daily living, and the intersection of religion and spirituality. Teachings from both the Theravada and Mahayana traditions are explored.
Course Requirements: This 101 Course module has four components to be completed by the student.
- Reading the books and completing the assignments.
- Attending the online classes.
- Attending our Sunday morning gathering if your live in Connecticut or local group.
- Practicing what is learned.
Attendance & Commitment: If you live in Connecticut, all participants should strive for a 75% Sunday morning Practice & Talk Meeting attendance record from the beginning to the end of the course. If you live outside of Connecticut, you should seek a local Buddhist group in your area (if there is one). This is part of the sedimentation process that allows us to assimilate the teachings into our daily life and to learn from other experienced teachers. Community practice is an important component of the Buddha’s Way to spiritual transformation. We cannot do it alone and we need the sangha (community of practitioners) to help us along the journey.
Absences from classes: All students are allowed just one absence from a class and if absent all assignments must be delivered via e-mail before or immediately after the missed class. Attendance will be taken.
Discipline: In order to experience spiritual transformation and realize understanding one must be committed to the process such as practicing at home, work and in relationships, attending the classes, a local Buddhist practice meeting, and completing all of the assignments. Our 101 course is not a book discussion group but is a structured program to help you live the Buddha’s teachings in everyday life.
Assignments: All assignments are based on the readings and will be sent to students via e-mail. They must be completed before the class. First homework assignment is due on the first-class meeting.
Books: Students are responsible to purchase their course books at a local bookseller or online. We suggest students purchase all books well in advance in order to allow enough time for delivery & the completion of assignments.
Contribution: $225.
Early Bird Discount of 15% until March 12, 2025
Discount Code: module2
Open Enrollment ends March 25, 2025
Time, Frequency & Place: It will meet 3x, on Sunday evenings for 1 month. Online classes will be approx. 90 minutes each for 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. EST (USA & Canada) or (GMT-5). See dates above. The unique Zoom link will be sent to registered students.
Teacher: Rev. D. Senpai, M.A., BFF of CT’s guiding teacher and Shin practicer, and student of Venerable Thich Tri Hong and the esteemed and late Dr. (Rev.) Taitetsu Unno, will be the instructor for this course. For details, see bio in Our Teachers web page under the I’M NEW tab.
Certificate, Becoming a Buddhist & Teacher
Upon completion of the six Buddhist 101 modules – along with one additional course and retreats, students will be eligible for graduation. The requirements for graduation include:
- Class attendance
- Assignment completion
- Retreat experience
- Sunday morning attendance or participation in a local group
A Graduation Ceremony will be conducted at two locations:
- At the Buddhist Faith Fellowship in Middletown for Connecticut residents
- A special online ceremony for students outside of Connecticut
During this ceremony, graduates will receive an Affirmation Certificate. Those who wish to formally become Buddhists may participate in an optional Affirmation Ceremony, which includes:
- Going for Refuge in the Three Jewels
- Reciting the Shin Affirmation
- Receiving the community’s kata (monto shikisho)
- Choosing a meaningful dharma name
Your instructor will provide information about this opportunity during the course. The Buddhism 101 course will serve as a basic requirement for future programs. When the Buddhist Faith Fellowship reopens its pathway for those seeking to become certified Associate Lay Dharma Teachers, completion of this course will be a prerequisite.