Date: Saturday, May 10
Time: 1:00 pm PT
Taught by Dr. Tom Yarnall
Language and conceptuality shape our experience, creating both the forms of bondage and suffering we experience as samsara as well as the forms of liberation and bliss that Buddhists describe as the awakened, flowering state of buddhahood. Thus, contrary to popular misunderstandings, Buddhists do not assert that language and conceptuality per se are "the problem" (the source of samsara alone). Rather, both exoteric and esoteric (sutric and tantric) Buddhist traditions maintain that it is our (mis)understanding of the nature and function language and conceptuality that determines whether we create/perceive/experience an ordinary, impure samsarafield or an extraordinary, purified buddhafield.
In a previous class, we explored more nuanced understandings of Buddhist presentations of "nonconceptuality," revealing the Buddhist view that it is reificatory, dualistic conceptuality that is "the problem" that is to be abandoned, not conceptuality or cognitive/experiential content as a whole. Buddhas conceptualize too! Yes, all forms are empty; but emptiness manifests as forms; and ultimately empty/purified forms are experienced conventionally as empty/pure buddha bodies and buddhafields.
In this followup class, we will revisit this topic of (non)conceptuality through an exploration of the directly related topic of language and conventions (conventional reality), revealing the Buddhist view that it is the misuse of language and convention (and the misunderstanding of the nature and function of language/convention) that is to be abandoned, not language/convention as a whole. Buddhas use language and have conventions too!... Extraordinary, awakened, flexible, therapeutic, creative, playful, liberative language and conventions.
In particular, in this class we will be considering "Dharma practice as the art of translation," exploring how everyone is a translator (even you!), translating their lived experienceincluding received Dharma teachingsthrough shared language games and learned conventions. In this context, we will explore how you can take a more direct, active, courageous role in reading and interpreting Buddhist texts, teachings, and practices yourself, cultivating and using your own critically informed, flexible, personally/socially resonant (relatable, accessible) language and conventions to immeasurably enhance and deepen your own and others' understanding and practice of the Dharma.
|
|
 |
LocationZoom
Timezone: America/Los_Angeles Online Access Information You will be provided instructions to access the digital content for this event. When and how these instructions are delivered to you is determined by the Event Organizer. To ensure access, use an up-to-date email address and avoid unsubscribing from email updates. See our Help Center for more information.
Categories
Contact
Remind Me
|
