Dhamma Study Certificate Program
Elementary Dhamma Study
Course Title: The History of Buddha
Dhamma Study Project (Nakdhamma) for Gerneral Public
is organized by The Sangha of Chiang Mai Province, Thailand
1. Instructor
(1) Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phrakru Pavitvaranuyut
(2) Phra Somboon Thanaveero
(3) Dr. Pissit Kotrasutpho
(4) Dr. Detcha Talanuk
2. Classroom & Meeting Time Location
Room……. Wat Suan Dok, Chiang Mai
Room…….. The International Buddhist Study and Vipassana Meditation Center
Via Zoom Program:…………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. Objectives of the Course
The aim of this course is to study the origin and significance of the life of the Buddha. Exploring the life of the Buddha is valuable in fostering faith and applying the Buddha’s moral teaching to lead a happy and contented life in society.
4. Course Description
This course covers the history of the Buddha, divided into 13 sections: 1. The Indian Subcontinent and It’s People, 2. Sakya Clan and Sakyans 3. The Buddha’s Birth, 4. Renunciation, 5. Enlightenment, 6. First Sermon, 7. The Spread of the Dhamma 8. The Journey to Rajagaha 9. The Buddha’s Mission at Magathi, 10. The Journey to Kapilavastu, 11. The Journey to Kosala, 13. The Background of Dhamma-Vinaya
5. Hours of Studying
| Theory | Practical | Self-Study | Additional Teaching |
| 45 hours | None | 6 hours per week | yes |
6. Learning Structure
The instruction will be conducted in both traditional classroom settings and online through social networks.
7. Learning Method
(1) Lectures will cover relevant knowledge about the historical context related to the Buddha’s origin and the relevant context of the Buddha. Example of historical events or incidents related to the Buddha’s biography will be provided.
(2) Activities and learning tasks will be organized to facilitate learning, including group reports and class discussions.
8. Evaluation and Grading
(1) The evaluation will be conducted through tests, written assignments, observations, group discussions, and interviews. The assessment methods will also include written examinations.
(2) Attendance in each subject must not be less than 80% of the total class hours.
(3) Assessment of learning outcomes in each subject will include a grade and a grade point. The minimum passing grade for each subject is S as follows:
| Classification | Score | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Horner | 90-100 | H |
| Satisfied | 60-89 | S |
| Unsatisfied | <59 | U |
9. Learning Outcome
In-depth knowledge and understanding of the core content of the History of Buddha, including fundamental principles and important theories, applicable to daily life.
- Acquire knowledge and understanding of Buddhist History.
- Enable to apply the Buddhist teaching from Buddha’s History in daily life.
- Enable to explain general background and history of Buddhism to others.
Learning Content
| Week | Subject / Description | Hour | Teaching Method | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to the Course and Teaching Methods for the “History of Buddha” – Introduction to the Course “History of Buddha” – Course Outline and Teaching Methods for “History of Buddha” Chapter 1: Indian Subcontinent and Its people 1.1 Indian Subcontinent 1.2 Ethnicities Residing in the Indian 1.3 Divisions of the Indian Subcontinent 1.4 16 Major Regions 1.5 Social Castes 1.6 Different Faith 1.7 Original Religions | 1.30 hrs | Lecture & Discussion | 1. Assoc. Trof. Dr. Phrakru Pavitvaranuyut 2. Phra Somboon Thanaveero 3. Dr. Pissit Kotrasopho 4. Dr. Detcha Talanuk |
| 2 | Chapter: 2 Sakya Clan and Sakyans 2.1 Sakya Clan 2.2 The City of Kapilavatthu 2.3 Clans and Lineages 2.4 Governance 2.5 Pedigree of Sakyan 2.6 Relatives of The Buddha | 1.30 hrs | Lecture & Discussion | 1. Assoc. Trof. Dr. Phrakru Pavitvaranuyut 2. Phra Somboon Thanaveero 3. Dr. Pissit Kotrasopho 4. Dr. Detcha Talanuk |
| 3 | Chapter 3: Buddha’s Birth 3.1 Characteristics of the Great Man 3.2 Day of Enlightenment 3.3 Day of Birth 3.4 Seven Treasures 3.5 Seven Miracles 3.6 After birth, lived for 3 days 3.7 After birth, lived for 5 days 3.8 After birth, lived for 7 days 3.9 After birth, lived for 29 days | 1.30 hrs | Lecture & Discussion | 1. Assoc. Trof. Dr. Phrakru Pavitvaranuyut 2. Phra Somboon Thanaveero 3. Dr. Pissit Kotrasopho 4. Dr. Detcha Talanuk |
| 4 | Chapter 4: Renunciation 4.1 Renunciation 4.2 Eight Necessities | 1.30 hrs | Lecture & Discussion | 1. Assoc. Trof. Dr. Phrakru Pavitvaranuyut 2. Phra Somboon Thanaveero 3. Dr. Pissit Kotrasopho 4. Dr. Detcha Talanuk |
| 5 | Chapter 5: Enlightenment 5.1 The Visit of King Pimpisara 5.2 Studied with Uddaka Ramaputta 5.3 Tring the ascetic Practices 5.4 Tree figurations 5.5 The Five Disciples left The Great 5.6 Events before Enlightenment 5.7 Overcoming Mara with the Ten Perfections 5.8 Attaining the Threefold Knowledge 5.9 Four Noble Truth 5.10 The Special Name | 1.30 hrs | Lecture & Discussion | 1. Assoc. Trof. Dr. Phrakru Pavitvaranuyut 2. Phra Somboon Thanaveero 3. Dr. Pissit Kotrasopho 4. Dr. Detcha Talanuk |
| 6 | Chapter 6: Liberated Happiness 6.1 Remained Liberation Happiness 7 weeks 6.2 The Brahma Asked to Deliver The Sermon 6.3 Giving The First Teaching to The Five Monks 6.4 First Sermon 6.5 Ehi Bhikkhu Upasampada (The First Type of Ordination) 6.6 Anatta-lakkhana Sutta: The Discourse on The Not-self Characteristics | 1.30 hrs | Lecture & Discussion | 1. Assoc. Trof. Dr. Phrakru Pavitvaranuyut 2. Phra Somboon Thanaveero 3. Dr. Pissit Kotrasopho 4. Dr. Detcha Talanuk |
| 7 | Chapter 7: Sending the Disciples to spread the Dhamma 7.1 Instructing Yasa 7.2 Anupuphiktha (gradual instruction) 7.3 The First Male Devotee 7.4 The First Female Devotee 7.5 54 Yasa’s Friends Ordination 7.6 The First 61 Buddhist Missionaries 7.7 The Ordination by the Threefold declaration of Taking Refuge 7.8 The Thirty Rich Young Companions. 7.9 Three Jatilas | 1.30 hrs | Lecture & Discussion | 1. Assoc. Trof. Dr. Phrakru Pavitvaranuyut 2. Phra Somboon Thanaveero 3. Dr. Pissit Kotrasopho 4. Dr. Detcha Talanuk |
| 8 | Chapter 8: Going forth to Rajagaha 8.1 Bimbisara and Twelve Myriads of Magadha Brahmanas and Householders 8.2 Magadha King Seniy Bimbisara’s Five Wishes 8.3 The First Buddhist Monastery 8.4 The Ordination of The Two Chief Disciples 8.5 The Two Chief Disciples were enlightened. 8.6 The simile of two chief disciples | 1.30 hrs | Lecture & Discussion | 1. Assoc. Trof. Dr. Phrakru Pavitvaranuyut 2. Phra Somboon Thanaveero 3. Dr. Pissit Kotrasopho 4. Dr. Detcha Talanuk |
| 9 | Chapter 9: The Buddha’s mission at Magathi 9.1 Venrable Maha Kassapa 9.2 The Three Admonitions of The Buddha 9.3 Three Different Types of Ordination 9.4 6 Directions 9.5 Making Offering to Gods | 1.30 hrs | Lecture & Discussion | 1. Assoc. Trof. Dr. Phrakru Pavitvaranuyut 2. Phra Somboon Thanaveero 3. Dr. Pissit Kotrasopho 4. Dr. Detcha Talanuk |
| 10 | Chapter 10: The Journey to Kapilavastu 10.1 Instruct His Relatives 10.2 Magic Rain 10.3 King Suddhodana’s Attainment of Arahanthood | 1.30 hrs | Lecture & Discussion | 1. Assoc. Trof. Dr. Phrakru Pavitvaranuyut 2. Phra Somboon Thanaveero 3. Dr. Pissit Kotrasopho 4. Dr. Detcha Talanuk |
| 11 | Chapter 11: The Journey to Kosala Kingdom 11.1 Anathapindika 11.2 Jetavana Monastery | 1.30 hrs | Lecture & Discussion | 1. Assoc. Trof. Dr. Phrakru Pavitvaranuyut 2. Phra Somboon Thanaveero 3. Dr. Pissit Kotrasopho 4. Dr. Detcha Talanuk |
| 12 | Chapter 12: Parinirvana 12.1 Spent The Rainy Season Sheltered at Weluwana 12.2 The Power of Itthibatha 4 12.3 The Buddha Relinquished His Will to Live 12.4 Eight Causes of Earthquake 12.5 The Journey to the Great Forest 12.6 Going to The Gabled House 12.7 The Journey to Pava City 12.8 Santiviharadham 12.9 Two offering of Food 12.10 The lion’s Posture 12.11 Venerable Upavana 12.12 Four Places for Pilgrimage 12.13 How Monks Should Conduct Towards Women 12.14 How to Act Respecting The Body of The Buddha 12.15 Persons Worthy of A Stupa or Monument 12.16 Instructing for Ananda 12.17 Kusinara 12.18 The Announcement of Parinibbana 12.19 The Last Disciple 12.20 Peaching for Bhikkhus 12.21 Final Exhortation 12.22 Paribibbana 12.23 The World’s Echo 12.24 Makuta-bandhana, The Cetiya of The Mallas 12.25 Homage to The Remains 12.26 The Remain Relices 12.27 Partition of The Relices 12.28 Four Kind of Stupa 12.29 The Reasons to Attain Parinibbana at Kusinara | 1.30 hrs | Lecture & Discussion | 1. Assoc. Trof. Dr. Phrakru Pavitvaranuyut 2. Phra Somboon Thanaveero 3. Dr. Pissit Kotrasopho 4. Dr. Detcha Talanuk |
| 13 | Chapter 13: The Background of Dhamma-Vinaya 13.1 Addressing of Buddhist Council 13.2 1st Buddhist Council 13.3 2nd Buddhist Council 13.4 3rd Buddhist Council 13.5 4th Buddhist Council 13.6 5th Buddhist Council 13.7 The Benefits of Buddhist Council | 1.30 hrs | Lecture & Discussion | 1. Assoc. Trof. Dr. Phrakru Pavitvaranuyut 2. Phra Somboon Thanaveero 3. Dr. Pissit Kotrasopho 4. Dr. Detcha Talanuk |
| Final Examination | ||||