These course materials for Buddhism in a Nutshell provide teachers/facilitators with all the information necessary to teach this introductory course. This product consists of a downloadable PDF file that is only available to FPMT centers and study groups.

Individuals wishing to study Buddhism in a Nutshell can access this course as an online program available on the FPMT Online Learning Center or purchase the book Buddhism in Nutshell and the accompanying CD of the course.

Overview

Buddhism in a Nutshell is an introductory course to Buddhism meant for complete beginners. It offers a general overview of basic Buddhist philosophy and principles, according to the Tibetan Mahayana tradition of Lama Tsongkhapa (Gelug), as well as a brief introduction to Buddhist meditation,

For a detailed presentation of the course see the FPMT Affiliates Area.

Course Topics

The course covers the following topics:

- The life of Shakyamuni Buddha; the similarities of Shakyamuni Buddha’s life to ours; how the Buddha answered the big “meaning of life” questions that we all have

- The Four Noble Truths

§ The structure of the Four Noble Truths based on the medical model

§ Truth of Suffering—the diagnosis of our existential situation

§ Truth of the Cause of Suffering—karma and delusions

§ Truth of the Cessation of Suffering—nirvana

§ Truth of the Path to the Cessation of Suffering—the practices of wisdom and methods taught by the Buddha

- Buddha’s teachings in a gradual form for the practice of one individual—where to start, what next, etc.

- What it means to be a Buddhist, an “inner being”

- The three principal aspects (renunciation, bodhichitta, and right view) of the path to enlightenment based on the lamrim text The Foundation of All Good Qualities composed by Lama Tsongkhapa

- A little history of Buddhism together with an overview of the different kinds of Buddhism (Theravadin, Mahayana, Vajrayana) and the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism (Gelug, Kagyu, Sakya, Nyingma).

Course Structure

Buddhism in a Nutshell consists of a series of five sessions that are approximately two hours in length. Each session includes lecture time, a short meditation, and discussion time. Classes can be organized, for example, as one intensive weekend, two weekends comprised of the equivalent of 2½ classes each weekend, or as five once-a-week classes.

Course Teacher/Facilitator

Buddhism in a Nutshell can either be taught by an FPMT registered teacher or a qualified introductory class facilitator. In the absence of a teacher or facilitator, the course can be studied by an FPMT center or study group using the course materials for the Buddhism in a Nutshell online program available on the Online Learning Center.

Course Materials

The course material includes:

• brief descriptions of the topics to be covered in each of the five sessions
• lesson plans for the five sessions
• suggested discussion questions
• seven handouts for students

The handouts consist of:

• 1. an explanation of the seven-point meditation posture
• 2-4. guidelines for three meditations: scanning the body, counting the breaths, and a bare attention exercise
• 5. a brief description of the four noble truths
• 6. the lamrim text The Foundation of All Good Qualities by Lama Tsongkhapa
• 7. a suggested reading list
• 8. a brief overview of the lamrim—An Outline of the Path to Enlightenment by Nicholas Ribush

The eight handouts are meant to be provided to course participants and should enable teachers/facilitators to lead this course without having to prepare additional teaching materials.

Readings

Although Buddhism in a Nutshell, by Lama Thubten Yeshe, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and Ven. Amy Miller, is not required reading for course participants, please encourage students to read it.

Complementary Course

Buddhism in a Nutshell can either be preceded or followed by the introductory course Meditation 101, in which Buddhist meditation is explored more extensively.