23 June 2020

30 June 2020

The Buddha taught that there is much that is unsatisfactory about life – dukkha – but that if we respond wisely to it we can still live flourishing and fulfilling lives. Covid-19 provides a perfect case study.

In the first week of this two-week course with Gawaine Powell Davies, we will explore what we learn about dukkha from the pandemic, and what it teaches us about the difficulties of life. In the second week we will consider wise responses to it, and what this tells us about who we are. The sessions will be live via Zoom and will include a talk followed by Q&A.

Please be sure to register so we can email you the Zoom link before each session.

Teacher profile

Gawaine Powell Davies has had an interest in Buddhism since reading Christmas Humphreys’ book Buddhism at the age of thirteen, and studying Eastern philosophy. It all makes much more sense to him since he learnt to meditate and became involved in the Insight Buddhist community. He has been a member of Bluegum Sangha for ten years, and is chairman of Sydney Insight Meditators and chairman of the Buddhist Council of NSW. In his other life he has recently retired as a primary health care researcher at the University of NSW, and is looking forward to being able to engage more fully in the Buddhist community.

All Sessions are by Donation (Dana) to the Buddhist Library. All donations to the Buddhist Library of $2 and over are tax deductible.

Dana is the traditional practice of generosity, the extending of one’s goodwill, which is fundamental to Buddhism and other spiritual traditions. Part of the dana you give goes to the teacher, to help her continue her efforts to spread the Dhamma. And part of the dana you give goes to maintain the Library so it can offer more teachings on the Dhamma in the future. It is up to each person to determine the amount of dana they’d like to offer. We understand that this is a difficult time financially for many, and people will give what they can. An appropriate dana can’t be prescribed but requires sensitivity to its intent and to the individual’s own situation, as well as awareness of the cost of organising events and supporting teachers who spread the Dhamma.