”Early Buddhism and the Theravada Tradition: Teachings and Practices”, organized by the Universitat Rovira i Virgili and the Dharma-Gaia Foundation, was a theoretical-practical course designed to provide a concise but comprehensive view of early Buddhism. After a description of the Buddha's life, we study the fundamental doctrines of ancient Buddhism, including the principle of codependent origin, the three marks of existence, “no-self” (anattā) and the analysis of empirical individuality, the four noble truths and the concept of nibbāna as a Buddhist soteriological ideal. We continue to narrate the history of early Buddhism and, in particular, the evolution of the Theravada tradition, the only survivor of the schools that formed early Buddhism. The doctrinal explanations alternated with the reading of suttas, fragments of classical texts such as Dhammapada, King Milinda's Questions, and excerpts from famous commentaries such as Visuddhimagga. The course had a practical and experiential aspect, with Theravada meditation workshops led by experienced guides.
The course was held in Spanish from September 29 to December 20, 2022. It was aimed at students and a general public who were highly interested in the subject and enjoyed an extraordinary reception. It lasted 60 teaching hours, equivalent to 6 ECTS credits.
Academic direction:
Dr. Jaume Vallverdu Vallverdu,
Daniel Millet Gil
Teaching staff:
Agustí Pàniker Vilaplana
Dr. Aleix Ruiz Falques
Sandra Ramos Amézquita
Venerable Sayalay Uttarā
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