Please note: classes are usually held face-to-face and via Zoom.
A1: Saturday mornings 10am to 12pm (Tokozan Zendo, West Heidelberg)
A2: Saturday evenings 5.00pm to 7.00pm (Tokozan Zendo, West Heidelberg)
A3: Wednesday evenings 7pm to 9pm (Online only)
Main Course A next intake dates: see the Calendar.
Main Course A (Root) is the entry point to, and the main foundation of, the Main Course Program for a new student. It is a vital base where transformative learning, experience and cultivation for everyone takes place and evolves along with one’s deepening meditation, practice and direct understanding.
Program
Main Course A weaves together diverse levels of interests, commitments and experiences of students into each term with 10 x 2 hour class sessions in meditation and Buddhist study, emphasising a practical approach to both conceptual and direct understanding. At the heart of Zen and Integrated Buddhist Studies (IBS) is the desire to allow students to explore these subjects from as many different views as possible.
The Western education model is used systematically while Buddhist perspectives are tested and cultivated in the course of meditation, practice, and in-class discussions. Course A integrates implicitly with the other two courses, B and C. Director Ekai Korematsu leads qualified coordinators for these three courses to support students with their training, practice, objectives and administration. Participants are encouraged to examine their own cultural and intellectual assumptions as they pursue these studies in a supportive environment. Mid year and during the final month of their IBS year, students are invited to submit a report paper on a topic of their choice in order to complete the Main Course work and /or as an Independent Study Project.
Curriculum
Main Course A curriculum consists of three core topics: Practice, Perspective and in-class role. A student may enrol by term or year. Term credit (10 sessions) is 2 units, 20 hours.