New Online Course, “Introduction to Basic Buddhism for the West and Beyond,” Offered by Professor Kenneth Tanaka

Rev. Dr. Kenneth Tanaka will moderate an online course entitled “Introduction to Basic Buddhism for the West and Beyond.” Ten monthly sessions begin September 2024. The course is subtitled “Fireside Chat Sessions with 20 Guest Lay Persons and Teachers” and is designed to provide the basics of Buddhism for those seeking a religious/spiritual foundation through the Dharma.

thumbnail image for flyer of Basic Buddhism course 2024-2025 moderated by Rev. Dr. Kenneth Tanaka
Click the image for a full-size flyer. Additional quick links:

Online class sessions begin September 7, 2024 and conclude June 7, 2025. Each session runs from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Pacific Time). In Hawaii, the times are either three hours earlier (during Pacific Daylight Time) or two hours earlier (during Pacific Standard Time). Here list of sessions with topics:

  • September 7 (2 p.m. HST, 5 p.m. PDT)
    Three Kinds of Jewels
  • October 5 (2 p.m. HST, 5 p.m. PDT)
    Buddhism in the U.S. and Canada
  • November 2 (2 p.m. HST, 5 p.m. PDT)
    Life of the Buddha
  • December 7 (3 p.m. HST, 5 p.m. PST)
    How Buddhism Spread Through Asia Brief History of Buddhism in the U.S. and Canada
  • January 4 (3 p.m. HST, 5 p.m. PST)
    Four Noble Truths: The Big Framework
  • February 1 (3 p.m. HST, 5 p.m. PST)
    Karma and the Eightfold Noble Path: How to Act
  • March 1 (3 p.m. HST, 5 p.m. PST)
    Four Marks of Life: How to See Life to Reduce Suffering
  • April 5 (2 p.m. HST, 5 p.m. PDT)
    Popular Passages, Metaphors, and Stories
  • May 3 (2 p.m. HST, 5 p.m. PDT)
    Issues and Problems in Daily Life
  • June 7 (2 p.m. HST, 5 p.m. PDT)
    Questions on Buddhism, Humor as Teaching, Epilogue, and Appendices

Each session will typically include a 30-minute summary by Dr. Tanaka, 30 minutes of presentation/facilitation by a lay person, then another 30 minutes of presentation/facilitation by an ordained guest speaker. Attendees are invited to stay for an optional additional 30 minutes of informal discussion with Dr. Tanaka and the guest speakers. Among the guest speakers are four from Hawaii — three lay people and Kona Hongwanji’s Rev. Blayne Higa. A detailed course document is available.

Dr. Kenneth Tanakabook cover for "Jewels: An Introduction to American Buddhism for Youth, Scouts and the Young at Heart"The instructor and moderator, Kenneth K. Tanaka, is a Professor Emeritus, Musashino University, Tokyo. He is also a former Associate Professor and Assistant Dean, the Institute of Buddhist Studies, Berkeley. His book, Jewels: An Introduction to American Buddhism for Youth, Scouts and the Young at Heart, BDK America, 2020, is the text for the course and may be downloaded free of charge on the BDK website.

Registration

Registrations are now being accepted at https://forms.gle/YFApcTqs2wS88sPw5. The suggested donation amount is $50 – $100, either to the “Fireside Chat Course on Basic Buddhism” or to a temple, church, nonprofit organization, or charity of your choice.

Questions?
Inquiries may be emailed to shinbuddhismcourse@gmail.com.