Buddhist Studies Classes

Class Schedules

Buddhist Studies

How Can I Help? A Bodhisattva’s Four Methods of Guidance 

Mondays, Jan 23 – Feb 27 • 7:00 - 9:00 P.M.

681 17th Avenue NE, Suite 210, Minneapolis, MN
Tuition: $120 (members $100)
Reduced fees are offered as needed.

The Wonderful Teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh

Sundays, Feb 19 – Mar 25 •  6:00 - 8:00 P.M.

681 17th Avenue NE, Suite 210, Minneapolis, MN
Tuition: $120 (members $100)
Reduced fees are offered as needed.

Registration

The registration form is available here for printing and mailing or register online (in the Program Fees section).

How Can I Help? A Bodhisattva’s Four Methods of Guidance

Taught by Joen Snyder O’Neal

Unwise people think that if they help others first, their own benefit will be lost; but this is not so.  Beneficial action is an act of oneness, benefiting self and others together. – Dogen Zenji

A bodhisattva is a great being who helps others. We all have bodhisattva energy, but a never-ending challenge for us is to discover how to express it in a skillful way.

In this class we will study Zen Master Dogen’s profound and elegant teaching on four ways we can be of assistance: Giving, Kind Speech, Beneficial Action, and Identity-Action (oneness of self and others). Each of these four methods is right at hand in the midst of our everyday lives, and therefore this teaching is eminently practical.

Each class will include sitting meditation and presentations by the teacher. During the six weeks we will be particularly mindful of these four methods as they are expressed (or not expressed) in our daily life, which will be the basis of our group discussion. 

The Wonderful Teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh 

Taught by Diane Benjamin and Berit Talan

In this course Diane and Berit will present Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings on mindfulness in daily life, as practiced in Thay’s communities throughout the world. These teachings and practices, rooted in Buddhism, are applicable for anyone wishing to live a mindful life, and bring alive the wondrous gift that is at the heart of each moment. By learning and practicing in this way, we can create more happiness and peace for ourselves, our loved ones, our communities, and our planet.

Each class will include guided meditation, sharing on the teaching and practices, songs developed in Thay’s communities, and discussion.
Diane Benjamin and Berit Talan are long-time practitioners and members of Compassionate Ocean. Diane and her family have participated in many retreats with Thich Nhat Hanh and his community, both in the U.S. and at Plum Village in France. Berit practiced for six months with the  nuns and monks at Blue Cliff Monastery, a practice center in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh in upstate New York, as well as at other retreat sites in Europe and the United States.

Registration Information

Enrollment for classes is limited, and early registration is encouraged. You may print and mail the registration form or register online. (There are options for registration under the options for contributions on this site.)