Dharma Study and Practice Program

IMCW is launching the Dharma Study and Practice Program. The DSPP responds to a need identified by IMCW teachers and community members for the central Buddhist teachings to be presented and explored in a clear and structured way.

The study and practice program forms part of a larger aspiration of IMCW’s board and teachers: to support an individual’s progression from first contact with and interest in the Dharma to becoming an experienced practitioner.

There are a number of existing IMCW programs and activities that support this path of growth and development, including meditation classes and retreats; membership of a spiritual friends (or kalyana mitta, KM) group; participation in the mentoring program as a mentee or mentor; participation in an affinity group; and service to the community as a volunteer, or IMCW committee or board member.

The development of the Dharma Study and Practice Program is another central part of this path of growth and development in the dharma. A key objective of the program is to offer regular classes by IMCW teachers in different locations throughout the Washington area that cover the central teachings of the Buddha in a more systematic, inclusive and structured way than we have been able to do in the past.

Some key elements of the DSPP

• IMCW teachers will teach special classes on core Buddhist teachings (e.g., the Four Noble Truths, Four Foundations of Mindfulness, Brahma Viharas/Divine Abodes, Three Refuges, Five Hindrances) on a regular basis as well as incorporating these teachings into regularly offered classes.

• Other Buddhist teachings that are more complex or specialized will likely be offered on a periodic basis (e.g., teachings on dependent origination; karma, rebirth and reincarnation; Buddhism and psychotherapy).

• Some courses will be geared towards beginning practitioners, others to more experienced participants, and some will be geared to people at all levels of experience.

• A typical format for the courses will be a four-, six- or eight-week series (e.g. on the Four Noble Truths or the Four Foundations of Mindfulness) though depending on the subject-matter, some courses may be longer or shorter.

• Courses will normally include both a study and practice component. A 90-minute or two-hour class will normally include a period of meditation, a talk on the teachings, and a period of discussion.

• Courses will normally include a curriculum, one or more core texts and, where appropriate, background readings, reading list, and study questions.

• The classes will be offered in different locations to make them as accessible as possible to members of the IMCW community, e.g., Takoma Park, Bethesda, All Souls, Virginia.

Among the classes planned for fall 2008 and winter/spring 2008 are:

• As part of Tara Brach’s Wednesday night class at River Road Unitarian Church, Tara will be teaching a three-week series on the Three Characteristics of Existence—the Buddha’s teachings on suffering, impermanence and no-self or emptiness Nov 5, 12 and 19; and a four-week series on The Divine Abodes (Brahma Viharas) from Feb 11, 18, and 25, and Mar 4. These classes will include talks, practice, discussion and recommended home practice.