Hidden Treasures of Early Buddhism

Price Options:

Basic rate: £129

Standard rate: £139

Supporter rate: £159

Theme: 

When we engage with Buddha’s discourses, we tend to refer to a surprisingly limited range of the many Pali texts. While these famous suttas are important, they offer a restricted and somewhat orthodox view of early Buddhism.

In their second series of six talks, John and Akincano will investigate a number of lesser known yet fascinating discourses that present us with a different picture of the early teachings. The texts reveal insights that are often overlooked or ignored; they also constitute ‘hidden treasures’ of the early Pali wisdom tradition because they are hiding in plain sight in the sheer breadth of the textual tradition.

Throughout this series, the teachers will explain their thinking and interpretations – how, with a practiced and nuanced understanding, one can discover practical insights buried in the selected texts and by reading between the lines make them come alive. The teachers will show how to contextualise statements in the discourses, identify some of the settings in which they take place, and explain what is known about their protagonists.

All of the relevant texts will be available for participants to read and study beforehand; questions and discussion are invited.

Each two-hour session will include a brief reading, a dialogue between the two teachers showing different points of view, small group discussions centered around a focused question and the responses of the teachers in a final session.

Open to both new and experienced practitioners, this course may appeal to you if you’re interested in lesser-known teachings of the Buddha.

Further information:

Below are the texts to be studied through the course: (one text / theme per session)

Week 1: On consequence and why we feel how we feel

Week 2: On the theme of ‘skill in means’: upāya

Week 3: Why the end of the world cannot be reached by travelling

Week 4: The theme of ‘radical attention’: yoniso manasikāra

Week 5: On miracles and where fire, water, earth and air find no more footing

Week 6: The theme of mindfulness: 3 similes for sati and its practice

What to expect:

Each two-hour session will include a brief reading, a dialogue between the two teachers showing different points of view, small group discussions centered around a focused question and the responses of the teachers in a final session.

Schedule: 

5 consecutive Monday evenings from 6:30-8:30pm UK time on January 12, 19, 26 and February 2 and 9.

Recordings:

Recordings will be shared after each session.

Suitability:

Open to all - new and experienced practitioners alike.

 Cost:

• The price includes a fee for the teachers, no additional dana will be requested. 
• 3 rates available.
• If you are unable to afford the our standard course rate, please contact us here. We will make sure that no one is turned away because of lack of funds.

Teachers:

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[sc name=akincano]

Praise for our teachers:

Akincano Weber:

“Akincano’s way of teaching is warm-hearted and light and the same time deep and
embodied. He does not hold back on personal examples and reflections about his own life. The invitation is always to investigate our own experience and see where we are stuck and can continue to learn, often in discussions and dialogue accompanied with humour and ease.”

“He makes it possible to understand the most incomprehensible of teachings because he not just lives and practices the teachings, but has studied them with his heart and his clear intellect.

“He is a master in taking the teachings apart and putting them back together in a clear and modern language” – Bodhi College course participant

John Peacock:

“The scholarship, life experience, curiosity, and warmth that John offered made this class extraordinarily rewarding for me, in terms of both theory and practice. The discussions during the breakout sessions made for a true sense of community.” – Online course participant 2024

“!’m so grateful for John’s thorough and insightful teachings. He is a wonderful teacher who has a way of weaving complex ideas into a relatable lesson.” – Online course participant 2024

“I liked the course very much, John Peacock is a very good presenter at the same time clear and to the point.” – Online course participant 2024

Hear more from our teachers:

Hear from Akincano what it’s like teaching with John in this video