Please note: all classes are currently held via Zoom.

Face-to-Face courses are usually held as follows:

  1. A1: Saturday mornings 9am to 11am in Footscray
  2. A2: Saturday evenings 5.00pm to 7.00pm in Heidelberg West
  3. A3: Wednesday evenings 7pm to 9pm in Brunswick

Main Course A (Root) is the entry point to 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.

Meditation Practice
(1) Three mudras (2) Meditation exercises (3) Three forms

Ten Perspectives

  1. Right Practice
  2. Right Attitude
  3. Right Effort
  4. Right Understanding
  5. Right Posture
  6. The Three Treasures
  7. The Seals of Buddhism
  8. The Pathway to Faith
  9. The Four Noble Truths
  10. The Three-fold Learning

In-class Role Training

  • Jiso and text reading
  • Chaju and tea ceremony
  • Jikido and sutra chanting
  • Jiroku and A-class admin

Independent Project•

  • Practice Interview
  • One Day Workshop
  • Sanzen-kai
  • Zen Retreat
  • Study in India and Japan

Venues:

All courses are offered online via Zoom.

For more details, contact Katherine Yeo, MCA Coordinator, 0422 407 870 or e-mail A-course@jikishoan.org.au