Readings on Faiths: What the Buddha Taught

A Book Group Exploring the Diversity of Religion
| WHAT? | Learning Circle |
| WHEN? | March 9 – March 23, 2025 Meets weekly on Mondays 8:30 – 9:30 AM Pacific / 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Eastern |
| WHERE? | Online Via Zoom |
| WHO? | Terry Goddard |
Readings on Faiths Around the World is a book group that reads and discusses books covering the vast diversity of world faiths. Of course, the standard seven world religions will be included but we will also explore less well-known religious/spiritual groups including Afro-Caribbean, Bahá’í, Humanist, Jain, Pagan, Zoroastrian, and more. The only prerequisite needed for this group is a desire to learn more about the world’s religious traditions.
Please come to each session having read the assigned section and be prepared to participate in the discussion with the group. Future books to be discussed, and dates will be provided here as the sessions are scheduled.
Upcoming
Next up for the Readings on Faith Zoom Learning Circle is Walpola Rahula’s What the Buddha Taught. This short excursion into the teachings of the Buddha covers “The Four Noble Truths” and “The Eightfold Path,” as you would think it would. However, it also has a chapter dedicated to “The Buddhist Attitude of Mind” and my favorite “The Doctrine of No-Soul: Anatta.” The book also has a section of Buddhist sacred texts.
“For years,” says the Journal of the Buddhist Society, “the newcomer to Buddhism has lacked a simple and reliable introduction to the complexities of the subject. Dr. Rahula’s What the Buddha Taught fills the need as only could be done by one having a firm grasp of the vast material to be sifted. It is a model of what a book should be that is addressed first of all to ‘the educated and intelligent reader.’ Authoritative and clear, logical and sober, this study is as comprehensive as it is masterly.”
Join me for four Mondays, beginning March 9th and concluding on March 23rd, at 8:30am Pacific Time and 11:30am Eastern Time.
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About the Facilitator
Terry Goddard has a PhD from Chicago Theological Seminary in the history of religion. He is retired professor of history and religion. Terry writes a blog, many of which address Loren Eiseley and his thought as well as religious topics.

