The Khandhas: Translated as the Aggregates of Clinging

Saturday, June 28th 10am – 4pm & Sunday, June 29th 10am – 3pm

This workshop is the first of two companion workshops on a central teaching of the Buddha: that what we take to be solid, independent, and separate is rather a continual flow of causes and conditions which come together, exist for a time, and then dissolve.

In this worksop we look at the Aggregates, which help us to understand that what we identify as a separate individual – I, me – is actually an ever-swirling combination of five aspects interacting so swiftly that we mistake the experience as solid, separate, unique, and independent. Clinging to this misperception creates a sense of dissatisfaction and suffering.

In the second workshop we look at Dependent Origination or Dependent Co-Arising, which broadens the scope to help us understand how everything is interconnected. All phenomena are in relationship to multiple streams of co-existing phenomena. Nothing is separate, distinct, independent. Everything affects everything else.

The goal of these classes isn’t to say that nothing exists; rather it is to help us shift our view of what is real. We broaden our understanding of Right View also called Right Understanding. This is an essential understanding that undergirds the teachings of the Buddha.

It is not required for students to take both workshops, though it may be beneficial to do so. The fee if you register separately for each workshop is $65. If you register for both at the same time, the fee for both is $110. Contact Ananda Marga at [email protected] with questions or to register.