On Monday and Tuesday evenings, from September through May, Dharma Field offers courses on Zen Buddhism and related topics.
To take courses online here for more information.
To take courses online here for more information.
Classes
Upcoming CoursesTuesdays Apr 20 to May 11
Song of Awakening Time: 7:45–8:45 pm led by Jed Larson learn more
"Remember that the Way of Awareness aims for the root and is not tangled in branches and leaves.” Modern-era Zen master Sawaki Roshi says this is the most important verse of the poem Song of Awakening, written in 8th century China. Another important figure in Zen, Dogen Zenji, quotes the verse: "Beyond action and beyond learning, one is at ease, neither suppressing thought, nor grasping after the truth."
Sawaki notes that "Conventional words are powerless to transmit the spirit of Awakening, (yet) poetic language can stir resonance in us... (poetry) sounds clear to the ear and crackles on the tongue." Of this poem, he says, "The highly subtle verses are sharpened like a razor." This 4-week course will look at excerpts from the Song of Awakening, in tandem with references, commentary, and parallel Zen teachings from Dogen, Sawaki and others. NOTE: The class will be held via Zoom. The Zoom invitation to join the Class Meeting will be provided in an email from the Dharma Field office before the first class. Text: Song of Awakening Seniors, students: Enter SEN OR STU in the discount coupon box at checkout for $5 discount. 
CLASS AUDIO:
If you miss a class or are taking the classes online click icon to access the talks. Mondays May 3 to May 24
Belief--The Basis of Insanity Time: 7:45–8:45 pm led by Steve Hagen learn more
Zen masters often remind us to “put a stop to conceptual thought,” “cease from practice based on intellectual understanding,” “open the hand of thought,” “relinquish our views,” and so on, warning that if we do not do this we’ll “remain attached to forms and pious practices,” without ever finding “the way to supreme Knowledge.” In this course, we’ll examine why they need to resort to such strong admonitions.
NOTE: The class will be held via Zoom. The Zoom invitation to join the Class Meeting will be provided in an email from the Dharma Field office before the first class. Seniors, students: Enter SEN OR STU in the discount coupon box at checkout for $5 discount. 
CLASS AUDIO:
If you miss a class or are taking the classes online click icon to access the talks. |
2021 Curriculum
Classes will only be offered exclusively via Zoom until further notice Mondays Jan 4 – Feb 8 The Heart Sutra (Steve Hagen) Mar 1 – Apr 5 Critical Reading as Skillful Means (Steve Matuszak) May 3 – May 24 Belief—The Basis of Insanity (Steve Hagen) Tuesdays Jan 19 – Feb 9 No Beginning, No End (Jed Larson) Feb 23 – Mar 30 What the Buddha Taught: Wisdom (Steve Matuszak) Apr 20 – May 11 Song of Awakening (Jed Larson) Change in schedule! Jun 1 – Jul 6 What the Buddha Taught: The Clear and Obvious Way (Steve Hagen) Jul 20 – Aug 24 What the Buddha Taught: Meditation (Mary Sullivan) |
Courses Recently Completed
Mondays Mar 1 to Apr 5
Critical Reading as Skillful Means
Time: 7:45–8:45 pm
led by Steve Matuszak
Critical Reading as Skillful Means
Time: 7:45–8:45 pm
led by Steve Matuszak
learn more
In our age of information overload, it can be hard to know what we’re reading, especially given the outright lies being circulated, along with our very human tendency to read and hear things the way we want rather than pay attention to what’s actually being said. To compound matters, we join in—criticizing or praising an article, perhaps even recirculating it, for saying something it isn’t actually saying, adding to more confusion. This course will draw upon the teachings of the Buddhadharma that remind us to watch our leaning mind and also upon some of the strategies that instructor Steve Matuszak taught in college-level English classes about engaged reading practices that can help us slow down and see what texts are really saying (and what they’re not).
NOTE: The class will be held via Zoom. The Zoom invitation to join the Class Meeting will be provided in an email from the Dharma Field office before the first class.
NOTE: The class will be held via Zoom. The Zoom invitation to join the Class Meeting will be provided in an email from the Dharma Field office before the first class.
CLASS AUDIO:
If you miss a class or are taking the classes online click icon to access the talks.
If you miss a class or are taking the classes online click icon to access the talks.
Tuesdays Feb 23 to Mar 30
What the Buddha Taught: Wisdom
Time: 7:45–8:45 pm
led by Steve Matuszak
What the Buddha Taught: Wisdom
Time: 7:45–8:45 pm
led by Steve Matuszak
learn more
This course focuses on the two most profound, liberating, and unique teachings of the Buddha: the interdependence of all things and the emptiness of self. Presented simply and clearly, these teachings are as vital today as they were 2,500 years ago.
What the Buddha Taught: Wisdom is the third in a series of classes on the foundation teachings of the Buddha. It will be followed by courses on ethics and meditation this winter and spring. These in turn will provide a basis for further study in the sutras and Zen Buddhism. This course is recommended for all studies at Dharma Field that are not part of the What the Buddha Taught series.
RECOMMENDED: Completion of either The Four Noble Truths or The Eightfold Noble Path
TEXT: Buddhism Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen
Syllabus
Kaccayanagotta Sutta
NOTE: The class will be held via Zoom. The Zoom invitation to join the Class Meeting will be provided in an email from the Dharma Field office before the first class.
Seniors, students: Enter SEN OR STU in the discount coupon box at checkout for $5 discount.
What the Buddha Taught: Wisdom is the third in a series of classes on the foundation teachings of the Buddha. It will be followed by courses on ethics and meditation this winter and spring. These in turn will provide a basis for further study in the sutras and Zen Buddhism. This course is recommended for all studies at Dharma Field that are not part of the What the Buddha Taught series.
RECOMMENDED: Completion of either The Four Noble Truths or The Eightfold Noble Path
TEXT: Buddhism Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen
Syllabus
Kaccayanagotta Sutta
NOTE: The class will be held via Zoom. The Zoom invitation to join the Class Meeting will be provided in an email from the Dharma Field office before the first class.
Seniors, students: Enter SEN OR STU in the discount coupon box at checkout for $5 discount.
CLASS AUDIO:
If you miss a class or are taking the classes online click icon to access the talks.
If you miss a class or are taking the classes online click icon to access the talks.
Online Courses
TAKING A CLASS ONLINE
Dharma Field offers its current Classes for people living outside the area, as well as for locals who are not able to attend in person. Please bear in mind, however, that our teachers highly recommend that local participants attend in person if possible.
All classes are recorded and posted online later in the week. Classes can be streamed directly from our site, or they can be downloaded to your device (as mp3). Most handouts are available online as well.
If you missed a registration for a recent class, we normally keep them online after the class has ended. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
TO REGISTER…
All classes are recorded and posted online later in the week. Classes can be streamed directly from our site, or they can be downloaded to your device (as mp3). Most handouts are available online as well.
If you missed a registration for a recent class, we normally keep them online after the class has ended. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
TO REGISTER…