Six Patriarch's

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Starting September 25, 2009, the Tao families among Toronto, Michigan, Hawaii and San Francisco will begin to kick-off an on-line "English only" study group focusing on the selected wisdom words from the Sixth Patriarch's Platform Sutra.

Meetings are conducted solely in English, via on-line meeting tool.

Contents

Objectives

  • Objectives: To uplift and awaken one's nature True-Self via means of interactive spiritual discussions on selected Six Patriarch's Platform Sutra.
  • Means: An on-line platform (via Skype) to encourage learning and applications of Sutra in our daily life through regular dialogs among Tao cultivators.
  • Participants: Tao relatives in Toronto, Michigan, Hawaii and San Francisco.

Standard Discussion Format

The standard discussion format consists of three main phases:

I. Understand the meanings of the Sutra together so everyone is on the same page.

II. Share any personal realizations about the Sutra so we can get a better (or complete) picture of Tao.

III. Reflect on oneself from the Sutra so we can one-step closer toward our True-Self.

Keys to Enlightenment

  • Be open mind and willing to learn from others
  • Be patient with others
  • Be focused. Good listening skills are especially essential.
  • Do your best and always try! No need to worry about being perfect.
  • Constantly reflect on oneself
  • Walk the talk, take the words we read to heart, and put into practice of what we learn. One step at a time will eventually move us toward greater enlightenment.
  • Care for others and respect other's privacy
  • Respect others and themselves
  • It's the Wisdom not the Knowledge that we are going after.
  • Participation in discussion is strongly encouraged. This group is made richer by having your input and personal realizations. Find the appropriate time to provide your feedbacks.

Expectations

  • Be prepared for the discussion by completing all pre-assigned readings and homework
  • Be punctual by being on-line on time and have the previously discussed Sutra memorized
  • Try your best NOT to miss any session
  • Check your e-mails regularly as they are the main communication channel among the group for meeting notification.
  • Expect any unexpected interrupts due to poor internet connections, which will require some familiarization of the on-line tools.

Materials and Reference

  • Reference: English Translation Reference [1]: The Sixth Patriarch's Dharma Jewel Plateform Sutra (PDF file:[2]), published and translated by Buddhist Text Translation Society,

1777 Murchison Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010-4504

Schedules and Planned Discussion Topics

  • Schedule: Twice a month, occurs on Friday's 9 pm EST (6 pm PST) of the following dates. (Friday's prior to the 2nd and 4th Sunday's).
  • Tool: On-line conference tool: Skype.

Chapter I. Action and Intention (行由品第一)

[0] 09/11/2009: Platform Sutra Introduction

[1] 09/25/2009: Platform Sutra Chapter I - 1 (Reading assignment pp.1-52)

[2] 10/09/2009: Platform Sutra Chapter I - 2 (Reading assignment pp.53-75)

[3] 10/23/2009: Platform Sutra Chapter I - 3 (Reading assignment pp.67-70)

ps. 11/06/2009: No planned discussion (2009 3-Day English Tao Seminar in San Francisco).

[4] 11/20/2009: Platform Sutra Chapter I - 4 (Reading assignment pp.71-74)

[5] 12/11/2009: Platform Sutra Chapter I - 5 (Reading assignment pp.76-88)

ps. 12/25/2009: No planned discussion (Christmas Day)

[6] 1/8/2010: Platform Sutra Chapter I - 6 (Reading assignment pp.88-114)

Chapter II. Prajna (般若品第二)

[7] 1/22/2010: Platform Sutra Chapter II - 1 (Reading assignment pp.115-117)

[8] 2/12/2010: Platform Sutra Chapter II - 2 (Reading assignment pp.116-120)

[9] 2/26/2010: Platform Sutra Chapter II - 3 (Reading assignment pp.120-123)

[10] 3/12/2010: Platform Sutra Chapter II - 4 (Reading assignment pp.120-123)

[11] 3/26/2010: Platform Sutra Chapter II - 5 (Reading assignment pp.124-125)

[12] 4/9/2010: Platform Sutra Chapter II - 6 ◎無相頌 ◎Verse of No-mark (Reading assignment pp.126-155)

[13] 4/23/2010: Platform Sutra Chapter II - 7 ◎無相頌 ◎Verse of No-mark (Continued) (Reading assignment pp.156-165)

[14] 5/7/2010: Platform Sutra Chapter II - 8 ◎無相頌 ◎Verse of No-mark (Continued) (Reading assignment pp.166-168)

Chapter III. Doubts and Questions (疑問品第三)

[15] Platform Sutra Chapter III - 1

[16] Platform Sutra Chapter III - 2

[17] Platform Sutra Chapter III - 3 ◎無相頌 ◎Verse of No-mark

[18] Platform Sutra Chapter III - 4 ◎無相頌 ◎Verse of No-mark (Continued)

Chapter IV. Concentration and Wisdom (定慧品第四)

[19] Platform Sutra Chapter IV - 1

[20] Platform Sutra Chapter IV - 2

Chapter V. Sitting in Ch'an (坐禪品第五)

[21] Platform Sutra Chapter V - 1

Chapter VI. Repentance and Reform (懺悔品第六)

[22] Platform Sutra Chapter VI - 1

[23] Platform Sutra Chapter VI - 2

[24] Platform Sutra Chapter VI - 3 ◎無相頌 ◎Verse of No-mark

[25] Platform Sutra Chapter VI - 4 ◎無相頌 ◎Verse of No-mark (Continued)

Chapter VII. Opportunities and Conditions (機緣品第七)

[26] Platform Sutra Chapter VII - 1

[27] Platform Sutra Chapter VII - 2

[28] Platform Sutra Chapter VII - 3

[29] Platform Sutra Chapter VII - 4

[30] 1/1/2010: Platform Sutra Chapter VII - 5

Chapter VIII. Sudden and Gradual (頓漸品第八)

[31] 1/15/2010: Platform Sutra Chapter VIII - 1

[32] 1/29/2010: Platform Sutra Chapter VIII - 2

Chapter IX. Proclamations (護法品第九)

[33] 2/19/2010: Platform Sutra Chapter IX - 1

Chapter X. Final Instructions (付囑品第十)

[34] 3/5/2010: Platform Sutra Chapter X - 1

[35] 3/19/2010: Platform Sutra Chapter X - 2

[36] 4/2/2010: Platform Sutra Chapter X - 3

[37] 4/16/2010: Platform Sutra Chapter X - 4

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