I would like to welcome you to the second module of Exploring Buddhism.

Joining the Class and Resources

Classes will be held each Wednesday at 7pm in person as well as streamed online via Zoom.

To access the live stream links, visit the Exploring Buddhism resources page. You can also access the notes for each class on this page.

About the Program

This program of study and practice is intended to make accessible the more technical aspects of Buddhist teachings by explaining important concepts, providing the context for understanding them, and suggesting ways to think and apply them in our daily lives so that we can verify for ourselves their validity and effectiveness in bringing about positive changes.

Each week a summary pdf file will be sent to you prior to the class. In this summary I have included:

The definitions of terms and some key ideas I will cover during the class
A brief description of the guided meditation
A few points for reflection after the class
Recommended readings, where applicable

This is for those who would like to read up a bit before class and, more importantly, for reference and review after the class. I hope you would take some time each week to practice the meditation we have presented and to reflect on the few points I have suggested. These activities are a part of the learning process to become familiar with and to integrate some of the ideas taught in class.

I recognise that each of us is on our own journey and will make different choices on how we use our time and energy, so I don't check on what you have or haven't done during the week. You are most welcome to raise any question or doubt from your meditation and reflection in the next session.

Weekend Workshops

On the third Sunday of each month during the course, I will lead a meditation workshop that focuses on the practice of meditations related to what we are studying in EB.

This workshop is optional for those attending EB, but I would encourage you to attend where possible. The workshop is an opportunity for anyone to investigate through meditation the different concepts presented in EB and to connect ideas with personal experiences and feelings so that both our head and heart are involved.

Intellectual knowledge alone often proves to be not very helpful when confronted by strong habitual reactivities triggered by life circumstances, unless we have taken the trouble to conjoin it with heart-felt emotional responses. I usually give brief explanations followed by guided meditations, but the workshop is not a review of the materials I have covered in the EB course.

Recordings of Classes on Vajrayana TV

Recordings of each class will be available via Vajrayana TV. You will be able to stream or download these recordings if you miss a class live or wish to review them. Each week’s class will be available on the Friday of that week.

Along with the Exploring Buddhism classes, Vajrayana TV offers you a range of extraordinary Buddhist teachings and practices on demand, accessible where-ever you are, on all your devices. Dive in to short meditations or learn from Buddhist teachings with some of the world’s most respected Dharma teachers.

All students can access a free 30 day trial of the service.

I look forward to seeing you in class.

Wai-Cheong Kok
Vajrayana Institute