Footprints of the Buddha

About this course

This course focusses on the life and teachings of the historical Buddha and on the Theravada tradition. Resources include key readings from the Pali canon, as well as an appreciation of magnificent Buddhist art and architecture. An early Buddhist symbol was the Buddhapada (‘footprints of the Buddha’). So this course revolves around the path of the historical Buddha; the journeys of practioners and followers; and the path of Buddhism.

Additional Information: In the sixth to fifth centuries before our common era, in the Indian subcontinent, a person named Siddhartha (‘who achieves their goal’) led a remarkable life. Despite early privilege, Siddhartha wanted answers to suffering and unhappiness in the world. Ultimately rejecting extreme asceticism, through dedicated meditation he discovered answers and shared these as a path for others to explore for themselves. Because of these key discoveries, he is known to millions as the Buddha (‘the enlightened one’).
The early canon of Buddhist teachings became the foundation for ‘Theravada’ practitioners in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia and Burma. As Buddhism spread into areas such as China, Japan, Korea and northern Vietnam, ‘Mahayana’ (including Zen) developed new aspects of belief and practice.
This course focusses on the life and teachings of the historical Buddha and on the Theravada tradition. Resources include key readings from the Pali canon, as well as an appreciation of magnificent Buddhist art and architecture.
An early Buddhist symbol was the Buddhapada (‘footprints of the Buddha’). So, this course revolves around the path of the historical Buddha; the journeys of practitioners and followers; and the path of Buddhism.

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