Lotus Underground M.C. Owens

THE ŚŪRAṄGAMA SUTRA: Being Indestructible
A ten-week sutra study course
Thursday evenings, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm (PT)
April 18 – June 20, 2024
Tuition: $300

The Śūraṅgama Sutra is a mysterious sutra found in the Chinese and Tibetan Buddhist canons, and is a foundational text for the Zen and Vajrayana traditions, where it is used as a primer for beginners. Surprisingly, significant parts of this sutra were first translated in English in 1871, followed by a translation that appeared in Dwight Goddard’s A Buddhist Bible in 1932, where it became influential among Jack Kerouac and the ‘beat spiritualists’ of the post-war era. The sutra is a long dialogue between the Buddha and Ānanda on the nature of mind and consciousness, a format reminiscent of the ‘pointing-out’ instructions of the Dzogchen tradition and the Zen practice of ‘directly pointing at the mind’. This ten-week course will explore the major chapters of this important text and provide an overview of the entire sutra and its history.

ESCAPE FROM SAMSARA: Introduction to World-Systems
A presentation on Buddhist Cosmology
Saturday May 18, 2024
9:00am – 11:00pm (Pacific)
This class by donation, suggested fee : $45

A cosmology is an understanding of where the world and the beings in it came from, what they are made of, and what happens to them when they decay. When studying Buddhism, it is helpful to be familiar with the basic tenets of traditional Indian cosmology, and some of the unique features of Buddhist cosmology that developed from them. This visual presentation uses art and iconography from a variety of traditions to create an immersive experience that explores several alternative views of creation, space and time, multiple heavenly and hellish realms, and the abodes of the gods, while laying out a Buddhist cosmological roadmap to liberation - from Samsara to Nirvana.


LUSB 2024 SUMMER RETREAT

I am in the planning stages of a multi-day, in-person sutra study retreat. The retreat will run approximately 2-3 days in length, and will most likely be held in Northern California, in mid -to -late August this Summer. I am trying to get a sense of how many people would be interested in attending so I can locate an appropriate location and lodging. The retreat would revolve around the reading and discussion of a particular sutra in structured sessions, with ‘monastery style’ days, including communal vegan/vegetarian meals, silent meditation sessions, opportunities for physical practice, and time for solitary reflection. If you are interested and would like to hear more please register at LotusUnderground.com

Sabbāsava Sutta ('All the Taints')
Majjhima Nikāya #2
Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Ñāṇamoli and Bhikkhu Bodhi
Recited by M.C. Owens, February 2024

The Way to Brahmā - Tevijja Sutta ('The Three Knowledges')
Dīgha Nikāya ("Collection of Long Discourses") #13
Translated by Maurice Walshe
Recited by M.C. Owens

Vimalakīrti Nirdeśa Sūtra
(Complete Recitation)
Translated and recited by M.C. Owens, 2023

Vimalakīrti Nirdeśa Sūtra
Chapter Fourteen: Entrustment
Translated and recited by M.C. Owens
November 20, 2023

Vimalakīrti Nirdeśa Sūtra
Chapter Thirteen: Dharma Offerings
Translated and recited by M.C. Owens
October 20, 2023