Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Eastern Religions
Speaker
Professor Peter Bolland
Coordinator
Michael Olsson
Our journey begins in ancient India where the Sanatana Dharma emerged from the mists of prehistory to be written down, giving Hinduism its foundation and depth. In the 6th century B.C.E. Siddhartha Gautama focused his teachings on the alleviation of suffering through meditation and mindfulness, giving birth to Buddhism. In ancient China two contrasting but complimentary teachings arose—Daoism and Confucianism—one with an emphasis on harmony with the Dao, the other with an emphasis on harmony with one another. These great philosophical and spiritual traditions touch on all the perennial questions: What is reality? Who, or what, are we? Why do we suffer? How should we live?
March 30: The Wisdom of Hinduism, Part 1 We’ll explore the ancient origins of this foundational world wisdom tradition. What are the Vedas, what are the Upanishads, and what do they teach about the nature of reality and our place in it? What are Brahman-Atman, Maya, Dharma, Karma and Samsara? What about reincarnation? And how do we break the cycle of rebirth and return to the source? Join us for this wondrous vision of the cosmos, and the inspiring way Hinduism calls us to our higher selves.
April 20: The Wisdom of Hinduism, Part 2 We’ll explore the underlying philosophy and suggested practices taught by yogis and gurus for 3,000 years. What did 19th century Hindu saint Ramakrishna mean when he said, “There are many paths to the summit?” What are those paths? Where do yoga and meditation fit in? And how do Hindu classics like the Bhagavad Gita continue to inform and inspire wisdom seekers the world over?
April 27: The Wisdom of Buddhism, Part 1 In 6th century B.C.E. India a teacher named Siddhartha Gautama emerged from the Hindu tradition with a newly focused project—how to address the problem of suffering. Like a physician, this teacher, known by his nickname Buddha— the Awakened One—offered a simple, clear yet challenging diagnosis and prescription for the alleviation of suffering called The Four Noble Truths. Out of this beginning the diverse traditions of Buddhism emerged. (Note this is a 1:00 p.m. class)
May 4: The Wisdom of Buddhism, Part 2 We pick up the story of the Buddha, who spent his life teaching others a clear and simple method of breaking free from habitual, conditioned thinking and awakening into the here and now. After the life of the Buddha, how did Buddhism develop into a diverse set of perspectives and practices? What is enlightenment? What does an enlightened person know? How might we apply the wisdom of these ancient Buddhist sages in our own lives?
May 11: The Wisdom of Daoism The ancient Chinese wisdom tradition of Daoism has been challenging and illuminating truth-seekers for thousands of years. But the insights of Laozi and Zhuangzi come from another place and time— a rural, patriarchal, pre-industrial world with little resemblance to our own. Can the wisdom of these ancient sages still be relevant today? How can we adapt the teachings of the Daodejing and Zhuangzi to the problems of our modern lives? What’s surprising is how easily this is accomplished and how rich and vivifying the results. (Note this is a 1:00 p.m. class)
May 18: The Wisdom of Confucianism Arguably the most influential philosopher in the world, Confucius championed a compelling portrait of human excellence as social responsibility. In order to create a just and harmonious society, we must first cultivate excellent individuals. In alignment with Aristotle and the precepts of Judaism, Confucius taught that justice, order and righteousness are born through us; it is we who bring the mandate of heaven down to earth through our choices and actions. Join us as we study the central themes of this often-ignored Chinese wisdom tradition and search its ancient ideas for modern applicability.
March 30: The Wisdom of Hinduism, Part 1 We’ll explore the ancient origins of this foundational world wisdom tradition. What are the Vedas, what are the Upanishads, and what do they teach about the nature of reality and our place in it? What are Brahman-Atman, Maya, Dharma, Karma and Samsara? What about reincarnation? And how do we break the cycle of rebirth and return to the source? Join us for this wondrous vision of the cosmos, and the inspiring way Hinduism calls us to our higher selves.
April 20: The Wisdom of Hinduism, Part 2 We’ll explore the underlying philosophy and suggested practices taught by yogis and gurus for 3,000 years. What did 19th century Hindu saint Ramakrishna mean when he said, “There are many paths to the summit?” What are those paths? Where do yoga and meditation fit in? And how do Hindu classics like the Bhagavad Gita continue to inform and inspire wisdom seekers the world over?
April 27: The Wisdom of Buddhism, Part 1 In 6th century B.C.E. India a teacher named Siddhartha Gautama emerged from the Hindu tradition with a newly focused project—how to address the problem of suffering. Like a physician, this teacher, known by his nickname Buddha— the Awakened One—offered a simple, clear yet challenging diagnosis and prescription for the alleviation of suffering called The Four Noble Truths. Out of this beginning the diverse traditions of Buddhism emerged. (Note this is a 1:00 p.m. class)
May 4: The Wisdom of Buddhism, Part 2 We pick up the story of the Buddha, who spent his life teaching others a clear and simple method of breaking free from habitual, conditioned thinking and awakening into the here and now. After the life of the Buddha, how did Buddhism develop into a diverse set of perspectives and practices? What is enlightenment? What does an enlightened person know? How might we apply the wisdom of these ancient Buddhist sages in our own lives?
May 11: The Wisdom of Daoism The ancient Chinese wisdom tradition of Daoism has been challenging and illuminating truth-seekers for thousands of years. But the insights of Laozi and Zhuangzi come from another place and time— a rural, patriarchal, pre-industrial world with little resemblance to our own. Can the wisdom of these ancient sages still be relevant today? How can we adapt the teachings of the Daodejing and Zhuangzi to the problems of our modern lives? What’s surprising is how easily this is accomplished and how rich and vivifying the results. (Note this is a 1:00 p.m. class)
May 18: The Wisdom of Confucianism Arguably the most influential philosopher in the world, Confucius championed a compelling portrait of human excellence as social responsibility. In order to create a just and harmonious society, we must first cultivate excellent individuals. In alignment with Aristotle and the precepts of Judaism, Confucius taught that justice, order and righteousness are born through us; it is we who bring the mandate of heaven down to earth through our choices and actions. Join us as we study the central themes of this often-ignored Chinese wisdom tradition and search its ancient ideas for modern applicability.
Speaker Bio
Peter Bolland is a Professor of Philosophy and Humanities at Southwestern College, where he has taught world religions, Asian philosophy and world mythology for 33 years. He is the author of The Seven Stone Path: An Everyday Journey to Wisdom and a frequent speaker at lifelong learning communities and spiritual centers around the country. He earned an MA at San Diego State University. Learn more at www.peterbolland.com.
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