First Semester – September 2023 – April 2024
Participants who are eager to enhance their knowledge are encouraged to read the chapter of the LS (and the corresponding BFT) that is indicated in the syllabus for that week’s class. We will try to provide precise information on pages to be covered each week. For the sake of efficiency, all page numbers listed are from digital copies of the books, which are not necessarily identical to the printed version. Due to discrepancies in chapter names, numbers, and pagination in the TNH Book “Peaceful Action, Open Heart”, we will mention the chapter title as well, to help the reader locate the appropriate reading.
Legend :
- “PP” = PowerPoint
- “Reeves” = “Stories of the Lotus Sutra”
- “TNH” = “Peaceful Action, Open Heart”
- “LS” = “RKI’s Threefold Lotus Sutra”
- “Sutra of I.M.” = “Sutra of Innumerable Meanings”
- “BFT” = “Buddhism For Today” by Nikkyo Niwano
| September 19th: History of the LS – PP and discussion | |
| September 26th: Reeves pg 19-28 – Read and Discuss: Affirmation of Language Creative Wisdom Empowerment in the LS | |
| October 3rd: TNH Intro pg 5-21 / questions and discussion | |
| October 10th: LS – Intro – pg xxv-xxxi Questions and Discussion | |
| October 17th: Sutra of I.M: Chapter 1 Participants are encouraged to read Chapter 1 of The Sutra of I.M from the Threefold L.S. before the class BFT – Chapter 1 of The Sutra of I.M Discussion/ Questions | |
| October 24th: Sutra of I.M. Chapter 2: Participants may wish to read the read Chapter 2 in both the L.S. and the BFT prior to class. The Class will read Pg 12-14 of the L.S and pg 50 – 60 ( entire Chapter 2 ) of the BFT Discussion/Questions. | |
| Off October 31st for Halloween | |
| November 7th: Sutra of I.M Chapter 3: Participants may wish to read Chapter 3 of the Sutra of I.M. in the LS and the BFT prior to class The Class will read pg 21-24 in the L.S. and pages 61-71 in the BFT/ Discussion | |
| November 14th: Sutra of I.M. Chapter 3: Participants may wish to read Chapter 3 of the Sutra of I.M. in the LS and the BFT prior to class The Class will read pages 24-32 from the LS and pages 71-74 of the BFT / Discussion | |
| November 21st: LS Chapter 1: Participants may wish to read Chapter 1 of the L.S. and the BFT prior to class BFT pg 76-82 / and Reeves pp 29-38. / Discussion | |
| November 28th: LS Chapter 1 TNH “The Two Doors” pg 23-26 BFT Foundational teachings Ch 1 – pp 82-93 – discussion | |
| December 5th: LS Chapter 1 BFT Foundational teachings Ch 1 – pp 93–105 / discuss | |
| December 12th: Chapter 2 LS: Participants may wish to read Chapter 2 of the L.S. and the BFT prior to class Leader will provide brief summary of the story of Chapter 2 then – Read TNH “Skillful Means” pg 28-35 | |
| December 19th: Chapter 2 LS: Read Introduction p xxxi – xxxvi Discussion / Read Kyoten entry from Chapter 2 ( can be seen in the LS on pages 57-58, or in the Kyoten pg 29 ) / Discussion | |
| December 26th: – Chapter 2– Participants may wish to read Chapter 2 in both the LS and the BFT prior to the class. Discussion of significant teachings in Chapter 2 | |
| January 2nd: Chapter 3– Participants may wish to read Chapter 3 in both the LS and the BFT prior to the class. We will cover: Reeves pg 47-56 BFT pg 100-106 | |
| January 9th: Chapter 3– Participants may wish to read Chapter 3 in both the LS and the BFT prior to the class. We will cover: TNH – pg 36-43 LS intro pg xxxvi- xxxviii (top) | |
| January 16th: Chapter 3– Participants may wish to read Chapter 3 in both the LS and the BFT prior to the class. We will cover: Reeves pg 57 -65 Time permitting – read LS pg 101-120 | |
| January 23rd: Chapter 4– Participants may wish to read Chapter 4 in both the LS and the BFT prior to the class. We will cover: Reeves pg 67-74 TNH – “The Destitute Son” pg 45-51 | |
| January 30th: Chapter 4– Participants may wish to read Chapter 4 in both the LS and the BFT prior to the class. We will cover: LS intro pg xxxviii- xlii BFT Ch 4 pg 109- 112 | |
| February 6th: Chapter 5– Participants may wish to read Chapter 5 in both the LS and the BFT prior to the class. We will cover: Reeves pg 75 -82 TNH “Dharma Rain” pg 52-55 | |
| February 13th: Chapter 6– Participants may wish to read Chapter 6 in both the LS and the BFT prior to the class. We will cover: BFT – Pg 130-13 | |
| February 20th: Chapter 7– Participants may wish to read Chapter 7 in both the LS and the BFT prior to the class. We will cover: Reeves pg 93-100 TNH – “The Magic City” pg 56-59 | |
| February 27th: Chapter 7– Participants may wish to read Chapter 7 in both the LS and the BFT prior to the class. We will cover: Fundamental Teachings in the BFT pg 140-149 (top) | |
| March 4th: Chapter 7– Participants may wish to read Chapter 7 in both the LS and the BFT prior to the class. We will cover: Fundamental Teachings in the BFT pg 149-158 | |
| March 11th: Chapter 7– Participants may wish to read Chapter 7 in both the LS and the BFT prior to the class. We will cover: Pg 158 (3000 worlds) – 172 | |
| March 18th: Chapter 8– Participants may wish to read Chapter 8 in both the LS and the BFT prior to the class. We will cover: Reeves pg 101 – 110 TNH pg 60-63 | |
| March 25th: Chapter 9– Participants may wish to read Chapter 8 in both the LS and the BFT prior to the class. We will cover: TNH pg 63 Reeves pg 111-120 | |
| April 2nd: Chapter 10– Participants may wish to read Chapter 10 in both the LS and the BFT prior to the class. We will cover: Reeves pg 123-135 | |
| April 9th: Chapter 10– Participants may wish to read Chapter 10 in both the LS and the BFT prior to the class. We will cover: LS intro pg xliv – xlvii TNH – pg 74-75 (Dharma Teacher) | |
| April 16th: Chapter 11 – Participants may wish to read Chapter 11 in both the LS and the BFT prior to the class. We will cover: Reeves pg 137 – 146 BFT – pg 197 – 203 | |
| April 23rd: Chapter 11 – Participants may wish to read Chapter 11 in both the LS and the BFT prior to the class. We will cover: TNH – pg 77-83 “The Jeweled Stupa” LS – pg xlvii – xlix |