佛教与佛陀弟子

KR002: BUDDHISM AND THE DISCIPLES OF THE BUDDHA Overview This course forms part of the Certificate of Buddhist Studies and focuses on the Buddha's disciples and the early Buddhist community. Through the study of important disciples and their stories, students examine different qualities of Buddhist practice, service, wisdom, discipline and spiritual development. The course also provides an opportunity to understand how the Sangha and lay Buddhist community developed during and after the Buddha's lifetime. Duration 12 weeks Enrolment Requirements Students undertaking KR002 as part of the Certificate of Buddhist Studies should normally have completed: MT001 or YT1000: Introduction to Buddhism KR001: The Countless Past Lives of Gautama Buddha 2026 Course Information KR002: BUDDHISM AND THE DISCIPLES OF THE BUDDHA Overview This course explores the lives, qualities and contributions of the Buddha's principal disciples and examines how their examples relate to Buddhist practice. Students study the Ten Principal Disciples, including their distinctive qualities, roles within the early Buddhist community and contributions to the preservation and transmission of the Dhamma. The course then develops students' understanding of the Ten Paramitas (Perfections) and their application in Buddhist practice and daily life. Students are also introduced to further Buddhist teachings and practices including kamma, mindfulness, dependent origination and the Wheel of Life. Practical Dhamma Living components may also be incorporated throughout the course, including Buddhist customs, festivals, chanting, temple practices and the application of Buddhist values in everyday situations. Duration 12 weeks Course Value 1 credit point Enrolment Requirements Prerequisites Students undertaking KR002 as part of the Certificate of Buddhist Studies should normally have completed: MT001 or YT1000: Introduction to Buddhism KR001: The Countless Past Lives of Gautama Buddha Enrolment Rule Students must be enrolled in the Certificate of Buddhist Studies programme. Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, students should be able to: Identify the principal disciples of Gautama Buddha and explain their respective qualities and contributions. Explain the role of the Buddha's disciples in the development and preservation of the early Buddhist community and teachings. Understand and explain the Ten Paramitas and their significance in Buddhist practice. Apply qualities represented by the Paramitas to situations encountered in everyday life. Explain basic Buddhist understandings of kamma and the relationship between actions, intentions and consequences. Demonstrate an introductory understanding of mindfulness and dependent origination. Interpret the principal elements represented in the Buddhist Wheel of Life. Relate Buddhist teachings, practices and traditions to personal and community life. Indicative Syllabus Week 1: The Great Disciples — Introduction, Sariputta and Moggallana Topics include: Introduction to the Ten Principal Disciples The role of disciples in the Buddha's ministry Sariputta (Shariputra) and his association with wisdom Moggallana (Mahāmoggallāna) and his place among the Buddha's chief disciples The relationship between Sariputta and Moggallana Their contributions to the Buddhist community Moggallana and the later Buddhist traditions associated with Ullambana Week 2: Subhuti and Punna Topics include: Subhuti and his association with teachings on emptiness Subhuti in later Mahayana Buddhist literature Punna Mantaniputta / Purna Maitrayani-putra Punna as a teacher and preacher of the Dhamma Communication and the effective teaching of Buddhism Applying the qualities of the disciples to contemporary Dhamma education Week 3: Katyayana and Anuruddha Topics include: Mahakaccana / Katyayana and his ability to explain the Buddha's teachings The role of interpretation and explanation in transmitting the Dhamma Anuruddha and the practice of mindfulness Anuruddha's relationship with the Buddha The disciples' roles during important events in the early Buddhist community Their participation in the preservation of Buddhist teachings Week 4: Upali and Rahula Topics include: Upali and his association with the Vinaya Upali's background and ordination Equality and social distinctions in the early Buddhist community The preservation of monastic discipline Rahula as the Buddha's son and disciple Rahula's training and Buddhist education The importance of being willing to learn and receive guidance Week 5: Ananda and Mahakassapa Topics include: Ananda as attendant to the Buddha Ananda's memory and preservation of the Buddha's teachings The role of oral transmission in early Buddhism Mahakassapa and ascetic practice Mahakassapa's leadership following the Buddha's passing The First Buddhist Council The importance of preserving the Dhamma for future generations This lesson may also incorporate an introduction to Buddhist chanting and hymns as part of Dhamma Living Skills. The Ten Paramitas Week 6: Generosity, Morality, Renunciation and Wisdom Students are introduced to the concept of the Paramitas or Perfections and their importance to Buddhist spiritual development. Topics include: Dana — Generosity Giving Sharing Selflessness Generosity in daily life Sila — Morality Ethical conduct Buddhist precepts Developing wholesome behaviour Nekkhamma — Renunciation Non-attachment Letting go of unhealthy attachment Understanding the relationship between attachment and suffering Panna — Wisdom Developing understanding and insight Applying wisdom to one's decisions Distinguishing wisdom from mere knowledge Week 7: Energy and Patience Viriya — Energy and Effort Topics include: Spiritual effort Diligence Perseverance Developing wholesome habits Maintaining Buddhist practice Using effort for the benefit of oneself and others Khanti — Patience Topics include: Patience and forbearance Enduring difficulties constructively Responding to other people without hatred Acceptance of uncertainty Developing composure in difficult situations Patience as an aspect of Buddhist practice Week 8: Truthfulness and Determination Sacca — Truthfulness Topics include: The importance of truthfulness Truthful speech Conventional and ultimate understandings of truth Honesty in Buddhist practice Truthfulness as a quality developed through conduct Adhitthana — Determination Topics include: Resolution and determination Commitment to Buddhist practice Maintaining one's intentions Discipline and consistency Examples of determination within Buddhist practice and monastic life Week 9: Loving-Kindness and Equanimity Metta — Loving-Kindness Topics include: Developing goodwill towards oneself and others Responding to hatred without hatred Metta as a Buddhist mental quality and practice Distinguishing loving-kindness from attachment Applying kindness in everyday relationships Upekkha — Equanimity Topics include: Even-mindedness Non-attachment Responding impartially to changing circumstances Avoiding excessive reactions based on likes and dislikes Equanimity as a foundation for wiser responses Further Buddhist Teachings Week 10: Kamma — The Law of Cause and Effect Topics include: Introduction to kamma Intention and action Actions of body, speech and mind Wholesome and unwholesome actions Actions and consequences Common misconceptions surrounding kamma Why kamma should not be understood merely as reward and punishment Applying Buddhist ethical reasoning to complex situations Students may participate in case-study discussions requiring them to consider intentions, actions, consequences and ethical responsibility. Week 11: Mindfulness and Dhamma in Daily Life Topics include: Introduction to mindfulness Awareness of thoughts, behaviour and actions Avoiding simplistic judgements about people Applying mindfulness before reacting Mindfulness and ethical decision-making Relating Buddhist teachings to real-life situations Developing Dhamma Living Skills Practical components may include: Guided mindfulness or meditation Buddhist chanting Reflection exercises Discussions on applying Buddhist values in school, university, work, family and community life Week 12: Dependent Origination and the Wheel of Life Topics include: Introduction to dependent origination Understanding conditionality The principle that phenomena arise dependent upon conditions The Three Poisons: ignorance, attachment and aversion Kamma and the cycle of existence The Six Realms The Twelve Links of Dependent Origination Impermanence Dukkha Liberation from the cycle of existence Understanding the symbolism of the Buddhist Wheel of Life The concluding lesson provides an opportunity for students to connect the teachings studied throughout KR002, including the Great Disciples, Paramitas, kamma and mindfulness. Dhamma Living and Practical Learning Dhamma Living activities may be incorporated throughout the course rather than taught as separate academic units. Activities may include: Sharing and generosity in daily life Buddhist hymns and chanting Introduction to Vassa and Kathina Temple customs and etiquette Understanding the physical Buddhist temple Identifying common objects and spaces within a Buddhist centre Puja and meditation Participation in Buddhist festivals Discussion of contemporary ethical situations Applying the Paramitas to daily life Where appropriate, a temple learning activity or field trip may be organised to allow students to apply what they have learned in a physical Buddhist environment. Assessment Within-semester assessment: 70% Final assessment: 30% Attendance — 30% Full attendance is required to receive full attendance marks. Students must obtain at least 17 out of 30 attendance marks, corresponding approximately to attendance at 7 of the 12 scheduled sessions. Late, excused and other attendance classifications may receive reduced attendance marks according to Institute policy. Quizzes — 20% Indicative topic areas: The Great Disciples — 5% The Ten Paramitas I — 5% The Ten Paramitas II — 5% Kamma, Mindfulness and Dependent Origination — 5% Quizzes are normally completed online or on-site using a digital device with internet access. Unless otherwise announced, quizzes are open-book. Activities — 20% Activities may include: Great Disciples Reflection — 5% Students select one of the Buddha's principal disciples and explain a quality demonstrated by that disciple that remains relevant to Buddhist practice today. Paramitas in Daily Life — 5% Students complete an individual or group activity demonstrating how one or more Paramitas can be applied to a contemporary situation. Dhamma Living / Temple Activity — 10% Students participate in an approved practical Buddhist learning activity. This may include: A temple learning activity Field-trip reflection Buddhist festival participation Puja or chanting activity Group presentation Practical Dhamma Living project Final Assessment — 30% The final assessment covers the principal topics taught throughout KR002. Indicative areas include: The Great Disciples The Ten Paramitas Kamma Mindfulness Dependent Origination The Wheel of Life Application of Buddhist teachings to daily life Method: Online or on-site using a digital device with internet access. Unless otherwise announced, the final assessment is open-book. Indicative Weekly Workload Pre-Class Students may be required to: Review assigned learning materials Access the Institute's learning platform Check announcements Complete short preparation activities In-Class Classes may consist of approximately: 45 minutes of teaching 25 minutes of discussion and Dhamma Living activities 20 minutes of Puja, meditation, hymns or other practical activities Post-Class Selected weeks may include: Quizzes or reflection activities Group work and presentations Assessment preparation Course Contacts Course Coordinator: - Teacher: - Email: -