This Is Where the Journey Begins
π 2 Sessions | January 24 β February 7, 2027 | Live on Zoom | $108 |Open Enrollment closes January 17, 2027 β Limited Availability
A New Year. A Fresh Perspective. A Place to Begin.
Have you ever felt drawn to Buddhism but never quite found the right place to begin?
Perhaps you are looking for a deeper way to understand life’s challenges, relate to others, or find greater peace and meaning. Maybe you have read a little about Buddhism, tried meditation, or simply feel curious about a different way of seeing the world.
If any of this sounds familiar, you are welcome here.
Buddhism 101: The Basics is Buddhist Faith Fellowship’s longest running introductory course, offered since 2004. It provides a welcoming introduction to one of the world’s great wisdom traditions, with teachings that remain deeply relevant to the questions and challenges of modern life.
You do not need previous knowledge of Buddhism, a meditation practice, or a particular religious belief. Just bring an open mind and a willingness to explore.
ABOUT THE COURSE
This warm, engaging, and beginner-friendly course offers a comprehensive non-sectarian overview of Buddhism β drawing from both the Theravada and Mahayana traditions β with an experienced teacher who has been guiding students along this path for over two decades.
You will explore the life of the historical Buddha, the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, enlightenment, The Three Jewels, the Six Paramitas, karma, emptiness, rebirth, reincarnation, meditation, mindfulness, Buddhist ethics, rituals, festivals, and so much more β through lively discussion, guided readings, and personal reflection.
This is more than an introduction to Buddhist ideas. It is an opportunity to begin discovering how the Buddha’s teachings can inform the way we understand ourselves and live our lives.
WHAT YOU WILL GAIN
By the end of this course, you will:
- Understand essential Buddhist teachings and their place in the wider Buddhist tradition.
- Become familiar with the Four Noble Truths and their significance for understanding human experience.
- Discover how Buddhist wisdom can offer a fresh perspective on everyday challenges.
- Begin exploring mindfulness and meditation as practical supports for daily life.
- Connect with a community of fellow learners and practitioners.
- Have a foundation for continuing your exploration through BFF’s Buddhism 101 courses and programs.
COURSE STRUCTURE AND BOOKS
Format: Live online via Zoom Sessions: 2 Sundays over 1 month β approximately 90 minutes to 2.5 hours each Time: 6:00 PM β 8:00 PM Eastern
Sessions 1: Jan. 24 & Feb. 7. Be a Lamp Upon Yourself (free ebook download & free hard copy is available on Meditation & Talk Sundays in Middletown.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
This is a structured learning experience designed to encourage genuine engagement with the teachings. Students are warmly asked to:
- Complete the assigned reading and Reading Guide exercises before each session.
- Attend both online sessions.
- If located in Connecticut, participate in BFF’s Sunday Morning Meditation and Talk gatherings.
- If located outside Connecticut, connect with a local Buddhist group if one is available.
- Explore the teachings through reflection, meditation, and their application to daily life.
The sangha, or community of practitioners, is one of the Three Jewels of Buddhism. Learning alongside others helps us deepen our understanding, sustain our practice, and discover how the teachings can become part of our lives.
YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Rev. G.R. Lewis, M.A., has served as BFF of Connecticut’s Guiding Dharma Teacher since 2001. A student of the Venerable Thich Tri Hong and the esteemed late Dr. (Rev.) Taitetsu Unno, North America’s foremost Shin Buddhist teacher, and ordained in the Dharma Teacher Order, he has practiced Buddhism for over 30 years. He brings a rare combination of scholarly depth, personal warmth, and genuine lived experience to every class. Read his full biography on the Our Teachers page.
PRACTICAL DETAILS
π Course Begins: January 24, 2027 β οΈ Enrollment Closes: January 17, 2027 π Session Dates: Jan 24, Feb 7 π Time: 6:00 PM β 8:00 PM Eastern π» Format: Live on Zoom (unique link sent to registered students) π΅ Contribution: $108 π Prerequisites: None β beginner friendly and open to all π Open to: Everyone, regardless of background, faith, or belief.
REGISTRATION, Assignments & IMPORTANT POLICIES
Enrollment is limited. Early registration is strongly encouraged to secure your place, allow time to order books, and complete the first assignment before January 24th.
By registering you confirm agreement to BFF’s Refund Policy, Disclaimer of Responsibility, Code of Conduct, and Image Release Agreement as detailed on the registration ticket.
CHOOSE YOUR LEARNING JOURNEY
Begin your Buddhist journey with Buddhism 101: The Basics, a welcoming introduction to the Buddha’s life, teachings, and the diverse traditions of Buddhism.
You can register for The Basics on its own or take advantage of our special combined offer and enroll in both Buddhism 101: The Basics and the upcoming Buddhism 101: Discovering the Noble Eightfold Path. Together, these two courses offer four live online sessions, moving from the foundations of Buddhist understanding to exploring how the Buddha’s teachings can guide our everyday lives.
Choose the registration option that works best for you:
OPTION 1: THE BASICS
January 24 and February 7, 2027
Buddhism 101 Online Course: The Basics
This Is Where the Journey Begins
OPTION 2: THE COMPLETE TWO COURSE EXPERIENCE
January 24 through March 7, 2027
Register for both introductory courses and receive a discount.
Your combined registration includes all four live Zoom sessions. Please register by January 17 if you wish to enroll in the combined experience. Early registration allows time to obtain the reading materials and complete the first assignment.
UPON COMPLETION
This course is the ideal first step in BFF’s ongoing Buddhism 101 Series β a carefully designed curriculum of accessible and transformative courses exploring Buddhist wisdom for modern life, and proviiding an opportunity to “formally” become a Buddhist. Some of the other courses in the series include:
- Buddhism 101: Discovering the Three Jewels β the Buddha, Dharma & Sangha as the heart of the path
- Buddhism 101: Walking the Bodhisattva Path β the Six Paramitas for everyday life
- Buddhism 101: The Art of Mindful Working and Living β finding joy and meaning in each hour of the day
- Buddhism 101: Living Fully, Letting Go Gracefully – how to integrate the teaching of impermanence into daily life and beyond
- Buddhism 101: Breaking Habits, Finding Freedom – applying mindfulness to stress, emotional stress, and cyclical habits.
- Buddhism 101: Cutting Through Delusions – applying the wisdom teachings from the Heart and Diamond (Vajra) Sutras
Students who complete the full Buddhism 101 Series, two retreat experiences, and regular attendance of Meditation & Talk Sundays* and online Sunday Reading Group β will be eligible to receive an Affirmation Certificate. Those who wish to formally become Buddhists may also participate in an Affirmation Ceremony including Taking Refuge in the Three Jewels, reciting the Bodhisattva Vows and Five Precepts, and receiving a meaningful dharma (Buddhist) name.
*If living in Connecticut; otherwise attend a local sangha or attend BFF online group.
BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY
A new year offers an opportunity to approach life with fresh eyes. The Buddha’s teachings invite us to look more deeply, respond more wisely, and discover new possibilities in the midst of ordinary experience.
You do not need to have all the answers to begin.
Join us for Buddhism 101: The Basics, and take your first step into the Buddha’s world of wisdom, compassion, and awakening.