Dates: 5 Thursdays, June 1 – June 29, 2023
Times: 1:00pm – 3:00pm US Pacific Time
Sliding Scale: Dana Program, $0-$108. Our sliding scale options for this program include financial support for our teachers. Code SF2G23.

Please Note: This retreat is offered online only. We invite you to try this creative form of practice as we take care of one another and respond skillfully to COVID-19.

Description:
People under the grip of greed, hatred, and delusion do “evil” things. The Buddha himself had to contend with deeply wounded people causing terrible harm, including a famous serial killer, a patricidal king, and his own cousin trying to murder him. Their stories reveal a powerful and nuanced Buddhist approach to crime and justice that reinforces the core teaching that harmful action is born of ignorance, and can always be met with compassion and forgiveness.

We will read about Aṇgulimālā the serial killer, Ajatasattu the patricide, Devadatta the traitor, and a group of monks lost in factionalism and toxic politics. Evil in the Buddhist world is personified by Māra the deceiver, who the Buddha meets on the eve of his liberation. In these stories we see the workings of karma (kamma), and a vision of restorative justice where even the worst evil-doer can eventually be fully liberated.

While beginners are welcome, this class may be most engaging for practitioners with some experience in meditation and Buddhist teachings. With extensive supplementary material, this class aims to make the discourses of the Buddha an accessible, inspiring support for practice.

Please Note: Though the classes in the series will build on each other, attendance at all classes is not required.

All are welcome! No one will be turned away for lack of funds as space allows. For more information, please email Registration@spiritrock.org.