Announcing: Arousing Faith In Mind Study Group

 

Arousing Faith in Mind: A new translation of the “Treatise on the Great Vehicle’s Arousing of Faith” (Mahayana Sraddhotpada Shastra)

 

A study group led by Gregory Wonderwheel using his new translation and meeting remotely by Zoom over eight Thursday evenings:

1/27/22 to 3/17/22; 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm (PST),

 

Contact Gregory Wonderwheel at wonderwheel@pon.net for more information.

Sign up here for the Study Group.

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Outline of the Study Group sessions:

#1. 1/27 – Introduction and overview of the scope and outline, with reference to the provenance controversies and translation issues regarding title and faith. (7-11)

#2. 2/03 – The First Part “Articulating the Causes and Conditions,” and the Second Part “Articulating the Meanings Set Forth.”  (12-17)

#3. 2/10 – The Third Part “Articulating the Explanations,” Section One to One.I.B.1.a. (18-24)

#4. 2/17 – The Third Part “Articulating the Explanations,” Section One.I.B.1.b. to 2.b. (24-32)

#5. 2/24 – The Third Part “Articulating the Explanations,” Section One, I,B.3. (33 – 39)

#6. 3/03 – The Third Part “Articulating the Explanations,” Section One, II. (40-43) and Section Two (44 – 47)

#7. 3/10 – The Third Part “Articulating the Explanations,” Section Three, (48 – 56)

#8. 3/17 – The Fourth Part “Articulating Faith in Mind and Cultivating Practice.” (57-66) and the Fifth Part “Articulating and Exhorting the Benefits of Cultivation.” (67)

 

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The logo for the study group is known as the Vitarka mudra, the hand gesture of teaching and discussion. This mudra symbolizes the oral transmission of Buddha’s Dharma and is one of the most important of the Buddhist mudras.  Vitarka mudra is usually performed by lifting the right hand at chest level and making a circle with the tip of thumb and index finger, with the other three fingers pointing up and palm outward. This circle made is called “wheel of teaching” indicating the uninterrupted and unbroken flow of wisdom.

 

Benefits of sitting with the Vitarka mudra:

• Promotes the energy of teaching and of discussion.
• Helps to prevent argumentative states of mind.
• Helps to absorb the teachings of Buddha.
• Cultivates calming energy that is useful for reducing internal conflict.
• Opens the mind to intelligent conversation.
• Evokes a feeling of silent wisdom.