On Monday and Tuesday evenings, from September through May, Dharma Field offers courses on Zen Buddhism and related topics.
To take courses online, see here for more information.
To take courses online, see here for more information.
Classes & Workshops
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Way-Seeking Mind
Tuesdays, Apr 18-May 23, 7:45-8:45 pm (CST) Led by Jed Larson Way-Seeking Mind, is the aspiration to wake up. Author of Zen Mind Beginners Mind, Suzuki Roshi, says “The way-seeking mind means the conviction to fly as a bird in the air, to enjoy our life in this vast world of freedom.” Zen teacher Dogen points to freedom of this here/now experience by saying “for establishing the awakening-mind, we do not bring it from elsewhere; we establish the mind by taking up the awakening-mind itself.” In this class we will look at how this subtle teaching both points to freedom of mind and also gives down-to-earth advice for establishing and maintaining our practice, and for living a life of awareness. Text that will be referenced in class:
Available live at Dharma Field or via Zoom. Seniors, students $5 discount: Use code SEN or STU. The Hidden Lamp
Mondays, Apr 24-May 15, 7:45-8:45 pm (CST) Led by Mary Sullivan In this class, Mary will explore the book The Hidden Lamp, a collection of one hundred koans and stories of Buddhist women from the time of the Buddha to the present day. In this book we meet nuns, laywomen & famous teachers. It’s a collection of extraordinary stories and a rich history of Zen practitioners and teachers. Available live at Dharma Field or via Zoom. Seniors, students $5 discount: Use code SEN or STU. prior COURSES
Diamond Sutra Part 2 of 2
Mondays, Feb 27-Apr 3, 7:45-8:45 pm (CST) Led by Steve Matuszak Participation in Part One of this class is not a prerequisite of attending Part Two. Recordings of the Part One are available for those who wish to listen. Beyond the basic wisdom teachings of the Buddha lies the Prajñaparamita, or Perfection of Wisdom teachings. Building on the basic teachings of the Buddha, the Diamond Sutra teaches how we may cut through our basic views of reality––of ourselves and the world––to awaken to Reality unencumbered by theory, speculation, or belief. The Diamond Sutra set of classes will be offered in two parts, each six weeks in length. The Diamond Sutra text Syllabus Available live at Dharma Field or via Zoom. Seniors, students $5 discount: Use code SEN or STU. A Vocabulary of Enlightenment
Tuesdays, Mar 7-28 7:45-8:45 pm (CST) Led by Steve Hagen Understanding and Using a Vocabulary of Enlightenment If Truth is not in words, what are Dharma words? How is Dharma heard? Do we listen in a different way? This class will explore these questions and more. The text for class will be the glossary from The Grand Delusion by Steve Hagen. If you do not have a copy of the book, an online version of the glossary is available to class registrants. This pdf of the glossary is in the class audio webpage (see below for more info), which can be accessed by using the password that is provided in your registration email. Available live at Dharma Field or via Zoom. Seniors, students $5 discount: Use code SEN or STU. 
CLASS AUDIO for classes:
If you miss a class or are taking the classes online, click icon to access the talks, and use the password that was provided in your registration email. |
2023-24 Curriculum
2023-2024 Curriculum Classes will be offered both live and via Zoom. Monday Classes
Tuesday Classes
2022-23 Curriculum
2022-2023 Curriculum Classes will be offered both live and via Zoom. MONDAYS Genjokoan (Steve Hagen), Sep 12-Oct 17 Everything Is Reality (Steve Matuszak), Oct 31-Dec 5 The Diamond Sutra I (Steve Matuszak), Jan 16-Feb 20 The Diamond Sutra II (Steve Matuszak) Feb 27-Apr 3 The Hidden Lamp (Mary Sullivan) Apr 24-May 15 TUESDAYS Taking Refuge (Steve Matuszak), Sep 27-Oct 18 The Wisdom of Sound Understanding (Jed L.), Nov 1-Dec 6 Living Practice (Beau Elkington), Jan 17-Feb 21 A Vocabulary of Enlightenment (Steve Hagen), Mar 7-28 Way-Seeking Mind (Jed Larson), Apr 18-May 23 |
Courses Recently Completed
Diamond Sutra Part 1 of 2
Mondays, Jan 16 - Feb 20, 7:45-8:45 pm (CST)
Led by Steve Matuszak
Beyond the basic wisdom teachings of the Buddha lies the Prajñaparamita, or Perfection of Wisdom teachings. Building on the basic teachings of the Buddha, the Diamond Sutra teaches how we may cut through our basic views of reality––of ourselves and the world––to awaken to Reality unencumbered by theory, speculation, or belief. The Diamond Sutra set of classes will be offered in two parts, each six weeks in length.
The Diamond Sutra text
Syllabus
Available live at Dharma Field or via Zoom.
Seniors, students $5 discount: Use code SEN or STU.
Mondays, Jan 16 - Feb 20, 7:45-8:45 pm (CST)
Led by Steve Matuszak
Beyond the basic wisdom teachings of the Buddha lies the Prajñaparamita, or Perfection of Wisdom teachings. Building on the basic teachings of the Buddha, the Diamond Sutra teaches how we may cut through our basic views of reality––of ourselves and the world––to awaken to Reality unencumbered by theory, speculation, or belief. The Diamond Sutra set of classes will be offered in two parts, each six weeks in length.
The Diamond Sutra text
Syllabus
Available live at Dharma Field or via Zoom.
Seniors, students $5 discount: Use code SEN or STU.
Living Practice
Tuesdays, Jan 17-Feb 21
7:45-8:45 pm (CST)
Led by Beau Elkington
Right Living comprises the morality teachings of Buddhism which includes Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood. This class follows the wisdom teachings of the prior class, Wisdom of Sound Understanding, which is foundational for living practice that doesn’t rely on “judgment or discriminative thinking.” Living practice stems from seeing the Whole. This class will explore the teachings of morality, right view, two truths, wholeness, and interdependence by drawing from the text Buddhism Plain and Simple.
Syllabus
Available live at Dharma Field or via Zoom.
Seniors, students $5 discount: Use code SEN or STU.
Tuesdays, Jan 17-Feb 21
7:45-8:45 pm (CST)
Led by Beau Elkington
Right Living comprises the morality teachings of Buddhism which includes Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood. This class follows the wisdom teachings of the prior class, Wisdom of Sound Understanding, which is foundational for living practice that doesn’t rely on “judgment or discriminative thinking.” Living practice stems from seeing the Whole. This class will explore the teachings of morality, right view, two truths, wholeness, and interdependence by drawing from the text Buddhism Plain and Simple.
Syllabus
Available live at Dharma Field or via Zoom.
Seniors, students $5 discount: Use code SEN or STU.
Everything Is Reality
Mondays, Oct 31-Dec 5
7:45-8:45 pm (CDT)
Led by Steve Matuszak
Looking closely at our experience, we can see that there really isn’t something here. Yet, we cannot say there’s nothing, either. It is a seeming conundrum that can be paralyzing for some, but we can ultimately see through it. Transcending our dualistic interpretations of experience, this course explores the World as seen and understood by the Awakened.
Available live at Dharma Field or via Zoom.
Seniors, students $5 discount: Use code SEN or STU.
Mondays, Oct 31-Dec 5
7:45-8:45 pm (CDT)
Led by Steve Matuszak
Looking closely at our experience, we can see that there really isn’t something here. Yet, we cannot say there’s nothing, either. It is a seeming conundrum that can be paralyzing for some, but we can ultimately see through it. Transcending our dualistic interpretations of experience, this course explores the World as seen and understood by the Awakened.
Available live at Dharma Field or via Zoom.
Seniors, students $5 discount: Use code SEN or STU.
The Wisdom of Sound Understanding
Tuesdays, Nov 1-Dec 6
7:45-8:45 pm (CDT)
Led by Jed Larson
The Wisdom teachings of Buddhism are defined by two components, Right View and Right Intention. These teachings point to what is reliable, trustworthy – a sound understanding of Reality as it is. They speak of an understanding based on experience, what is immediately and directly verifiable, rather than "right ideas" vs. "wrong ideas". This class will explore these teachings as well as teachings of not-self and interdependence by drawing from the text Buddhism Plain and Simple.
Text: Buddhism Plain and Simple, Steve Hagen
If you'd like to read ahead, pages 54-55 provide an introduction to right view and right intention with further detail on pages 66-69 and 73-76. We will also be covering selections from the last three chapters (10, 11 & 12) of the book, as well as the Appendix on Dependent Arising. We will follow those readings sequentially, thus the first class will cover right view.
Available live at Dharma Field or via Zoom.
Seniors, students $5 discount: Use code SEN or STU.
Tuesdays, Nov 1-Dec 6
7:45-8:45 pm (CDT)
Led by Jed Larson
The Wisdom teachings of Buddhism are defined by two components, Right View and Right Intention. These teachings point to what is reliable, trustworthy – a sound understanding of Reality as it is. They speak of an understanding based on experience, what is immediately and directly verifiable, rather than "right ideas" vs. "wrong ideas". This class will explore these teachings as well as teachings of not-self and interdependence by drawing from the text Buddhism Plain and Simple.
Text: Buddhism Plain and Simple, Steve Hagen
If you'd like to read ahead, pages 54-55 provide an introduction to right view and right intention with further detail on pages 66-69 and 73-76. We will also be covering selections from the last three chapters (10, 11 & 12) of the book, as well as the Appendix on Dependent Arising. We will follow those readings sequentially, thus the first class will cover right view.
Available live at Dharma Field or via Zoom.
Seniors, students $5 discount: Use code SEN or STU.
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 offered via Zoom and also 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 offered via Zoom and also 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…