December 23, 2021 - June 20, 2022
Dhamma study group
'Who am I?'
Helena Pauptit & Bianca Vermeij
An introduction to the 5 khandhas, the 5 aspects of our experience.
After seven seasons, the online Dhamma study group also continues 30NOW! And in this new season the subject is 'Who am I?', you may recognize this question. Am I my name, my body, my thoughts? What makes me me and you yourself? The Buddha answered this by telling about the 5 aggregates (khandhas in Pali). To be answer helps us to go through life more relaxed and lighter. And contributes to reducing and ultimately ending dissatisfaction and suffering.
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What are the 5 Khandhas? You could say, the 5 parts of our experience, 5 aspects of existence. And as we become attached to and identify with those parts, we are constantly changing our experience, trying to influence and control it. This gives a certain amount of tension or stress. It can manifest itself in fear, irritation, jealousy, impatience, sadness, longing and much more. The Buddha taught that as we get to know these 5 parts and see how they work, we need to identify less and less with them.
This way of looking at the self, looking at who we are through the 5 khandhas, is not a theoretical story, but a practice and deepening that leads to insight and liberation. How can the Buddha's answer from 2500 years ago help us live happier today?
In 6 months – with a monthly online live session – let's explore the 5 khandhas together.
We do that through . . . TO DISPLAY
The study material and online live sessions help you explore the way of seeing that the Buddha taught and apply it in your meditation and in your daily life.
In the first part of the monthly live online meeting there is an introduction on the topic of the month, which is given each month by a different speaker: Zr. Vimalanani, Riët Aarsse, Helena Pauptit, Bianca Vermeij, Frits Koster and Joost van den Heuvel Rijnders. After that there is opportunity for exchange with each other and to ask questions. In this way we can support ourselves and each other with studying and practicing.
This online study group is for anyone who meditates, who is looking for deepening and who wants to spend a few hours a month on study and exercises to support meditation and daily life.
- Study material
You will always have access to the study material one month before the live session. That consists of texts to read, dhammatalks to listen and exercises that you can do individually. You can study and practice on your own time. We estimate that you need about 4 hours per month for the study material. Much of the study material is in English. - Live session
Every month we meet via Zoom for an introduction to the theme of that month, to exchange our experiences and ask questions. - Looking back
The introduction to the monthly live online meeting will be recorded via Zoom and you can watch it afterwards. - Forum
You can comment and ask questions about that month's theme through the forum.
Home
You will have access to the welcome page and study material of the theme of the first month on December 23.
This is what you can expect
Live sessions
There are 6 online live sessions via Zoom with all participants. All sessions are supervised by Bianca Vermeij and Helena Pauptit. The meeting starts with an introduction to the theme of the month.
At each meeting there is a different speaker who gives the introduction; Sr. Vimalanani, Riët Aarsse, Helena Pauptit, Bianca Vermeij, Frits Koster and Joost van den Heuvel Rijnders. After the introduction there is room for exchange. For example, you can ask questions about what you have read that month, or about what the speaker has just said, but also what you encountered with the exercises, for example. It is very supportive for yourself, but also for the other participants to hear how we are researching and practicing together!
lectures
You will get links to dhammatalks that explain the topic.
Exercises and meditation
Every month there are different exercises for your meditation, so that the subject more for you to live. This can be a guided meditation, for example, but also tips and advice about what you can include in your meditation to keep working on the subject throughout the month.
In addition, there are also exercises every month that you can do in daily life. The intention is that this course is not just theory, but that what we study can also become visible in our daily lives. We offer you suggestions with which you can get started throughout the day, from unloading the dishwasher to taking a walk. There really isn't a part of our lives that we can't practice with! By being so involved with it, the subject can come to life more and more in your own experience!
You will have access to exercises for your meditation and your daily life.
Texts
These are various texts from various sources. For example, you can read what the Buddha himself said about it, pieces from Buddhist psychology, but also articles from Buddhist teachers of today. In this way the subjects are presented in different ways. Over the years we have noticed that people find that very pleasant. Sometimes one perspective is enlightening, and sometimes the other. By looking at it in different ways, we can become more and more familiar with it.
Support
Opportunity to share experiences and ask questions.
Looking back introduction live session
The introduction to the theme during the live sessions will be recorded and you can watch it back. The questions and answers and exchanges are not included for privacy reasons.
Online Sangha
Online Sangha where you can exchange and learn together.
