This course will be guided by the compassion, logic and wisdom of the
Buddha shining through the Kalama Sutta. As if he is speaking to us
today, the Kalama Sutta begins with the Buddha in conversation with a
group of people who are in a state of confusion and doubt about how to
discern the truth. They have become perplexed about who was speaking
the truth and who was speaking falsehoods among the many spiritual
teachers who came through their village. The Buddha responds by
acknowledging that it is natural and intelligent to doubt, to be
uncertain, to question when uncertainty has arisen in one about what
is doubtful. Then, rather than telling them who is or is not speaking
the truth, the Buddha offers guidelines for how to overcome their
doubt on their own. With this encouragement for free inquiry the
Buddha suggested using our experience of suffering and happiness as
our guide.

Inspired by this perspective, we will share in the spirit of
individual and group inquiry while considering ways we look for truth
outside ourselves rather than through our own direct experience. We
will contemplate our over reliance upon beliefs, associations,
attitudes, and habits that reinforce confusion and doubt instead of
promoting clarity. We will follow the classical progression provided
in this powerful, illuminating and pragmatic teaching that concludes
in the Buddha describing some of the encouraging results that come
from the practices of loving kindness, compassion, appreciative joy
and equanimity.

Each day of this retreat will be dedicated to dharma exploration and
practice. The daily schedule will include morning teachings from the
Kalama Sutta followed by large and small group discussions. The
afternoon will be held in Noble Silence and include a schedule of
sitting and walking meditation. The schedule will also include an
individual inquiry with DaeJa and an evening dharma talk. Throughout
the retreat there will be time to rest and enjoy the beauty of nature
surrounding us at Southern Dharma.