Registration Form s26

The Middle Length Discourses (Majjhima Nikāya) Study Course 14-week online class Gil Fronsdal with David Lorey and Sue Taylor January 19 to April 26, 2015

REGISTRATION FORM

Check all that apply:

____ Regular Participant: Non-Academic credit (dana based) ____ Academic Participant, for credit ($300.00)

Course considerations. Check all that apply: Regular Participants: ____ interest in Google group posting _____ interest in video link discussion group _____ interest in Q/A audio/video postings of teacher All participants: _____plan on taking course as part of a local study group in your area. _____ interest in being email linked with others taking course in your geographic area. Dharma Leaders: _____ interest in study group with other dharma leaders

Participant Demographics:

Name:______

Address:______

City/State/Zipcode______

Email:______

Phone:______

Skype: Address______

Gender: ______Years of Buddhist Practice:______

Buddhist Practice tradition(s)______

Admissions Questions: (no greater than 500 words each)

1. Why are you interested in taking the Middle Length Discourses (Majjhima Nikāya) study course?

2. What do you hope to gain from the course?

3. Have you taken an online course prior to this one?

4. Have you taken other Buddhist studies courses? If yes, please give a brief description of each.

To register: please mail the application (and fee as applicable) to Sati Institute, 108 Birch St, Redwood City, CA 94062 or email it to [email protected]. Note: all checks should be made payable to Sati Center.

If you have questions you can email [email protected] REGISTRATION FOR THE COURSE:

Participants not seeking academic credit:

Non academic credit participants (aka regular participants) are generally the largest category of individuals taking the Majjhima course. With this in mind, all participants will have access to the study guides and readings for each week. This option, however, will be self-directed and self-paced. Participation in video link study discussions, online weekly posting forums, and teacher Q/A audio/video sessions while available to all non-academic credit seeking “regular participants” will be available only at each participant’s request.

While there are no fees for participation in the course, dana is optional.

Those taking the Course for Credit:

The Sati Center is in the process of developing Masters level programming. The Middle Length Discourses (Majjhima Nikāya) study course is one of the courses that is required in the graduate program. A registration fee of $300 is required for this option. Three units of graduate credit will be banked toward the Sati Graduate program, which is currently in the process of becoming licensed.

This option requires participating in a weekly online forum (via Google groups) where students post reflections on the readings, as well as participation in quarterly video online discussions within small groups facilitated by David Lorey and/or Sue Taylor. A video/audio Q/A session with the teacher is included to enhance student understanding of materials. Additionally, participants must write two research papers in response to directed questions (eight and twelve pages each). A final grade in the course will be kept on record at the Sati Center until the Masters program is fully operational.

Options for Dharma Leaders:

The Middle Length Discourses (Majjhima Nikāya) study course is a beneficial study collaborative for dharma leaders. New to the Majjhima course this year is the ability for dharma leaders to be grouped together virtually for pointed discussions related to interpretation and presentation of suttas as a part of their sangha ministry. This option is offered as a way to support sangha leadership within the Theravada practice community.

Dharma leaders interested in this option should self identify in the check off box on the first page of the registration form.

Options for sangha groups interested in taking the course:

Arrangements can be made with the teaching assistants to work with organized sangha groups who are seeking to take the course together. All format aspects of the course are open to individuals of such groups, however, a dedicated online video discussion group will be available upon request. Individual members of such groups will be able to post online, as well as engage as individuals in other course activities. This option is to support sangha groups who are encouraging organized sutta study within their sangha.

Important Timelines for the course:123

Registration: December 12, 2014-January 12, 2015

Last Day of Registration: January 12, 2015

Course Begins: January 19, 2015

Week #1: January 19-25

Week #2: January 26-February 1

Week #3: February 2-8

1 Google group online postings are due by the last day of each week. 2 Video conferencing with course teaching assistants will be in weeks 4, 8, 12, and the last week of the course. Other optional times will be added based upon the number of groups needed. 3 Teacher Q/A will be in weeks 5, 9, and 13 via video/audio posting. Week #4: February 9-15

Week #5: February 16-22

Week #6: February 23-March 1

Week #7: March 2-March 8

Week #8: March 9- March 15

Week #9: March 16- March 22

Week #10: March 23-March 29

Week #11: March 30-April 5

Week #12: April 6-April 12

Week #13: April 13-April 19

Week #14: April 20- April 26