What are the jhanas and are they necessary for insight? What is the relationship between insight and concentration practices? What is mindfulness and what is the role of mindfulness in cultivating insight and concentration? How is Buddhist ethics related to meditative practice? In what ways are esoteric Theravada meditative practices similar to tantric practices in other Buddhist traditions? What is the importance of analytic meditation? Why is taking the form of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas as meditative objects significant across Buddhist traditions? What is a koan and what is koan practice? What is meditation on emptiness and why is it associated with liberation? In this program, we will address some of the most prominent classical and contemporary Buddhist responses to these questions. We will trace these responses in the vast and diverse landscape of Buddhist meditation traditions, looking at different approaches to particular forms of Buddhist meditation and their history. We will also investigate how foundational teachings in different traditions inform how meditation is understood. Finally, we will explore some of the benefits and challenges in the scientific study of Buddhist meditation.
Program Format: Morning and afternoon sessions will take place in the BCBS classroom and will include presentations by the teacher and large and small group discussions. The day will begin and end with silent sitting in the dharma hall, with the evening session also including some time for reflecting on the themes and questions of the day in small groups.
