Ascent Towards Freedom

Course Description

The Buddha called it the practice leading to the cessation of suffering, and to the overcoming of our fears and worries. It's the map that leads us toward a calmer, happier life.

Take a deep dive into the Eightfold Path of Buddhist practice. Learn the why's and how's of each step along the way. Why is each factor important? How do they work together to help us achieve what is important?

In this course you will learn about each factor in the path, beginning from a "mundane" or everyday understanding, then from a more advanced angle, and finally seeing them as truly transcendent.

A mundane understanding is one we can take into our everyday lay life. There is plenty we can learn from the path to make our ordinary life wiser, kinder, calmer, and better. Many of us will decide that this is how we best interact with the path of practice.

An advanced understanding of each path factor takes inspiration from monastic practices to consider deeper ways we can interact with each. We will also look at some more controversial or complicated aspects of the path.

The transcendent vision of the path is one that culminates in true freedom. We will consider how the path factors reach transcendence together in a deeply wise embodiment of Right View.

The Eightfold Path is the most famous description of the path of practice in all of Buddhism. Anyone looking for more wisdom and calm in their life will want to understand and master it. This course will provide you the tools to do so.

The Ascent Towards Freedom is more than simply another introduction to the Eightfold Path.

The course contains:

• Seventeen video lectures.

• Downloadable notes to each lecture which you can print out, keep, and refer to.

• Sections for comments, questions, and discussion with each video lecture.

• Practices for you to take into your life between each pair of lectures.

• A certificate of completion that you can print out and keep on completion of the course.

FAQs

When does the course start and finish?

The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.

How long do I have access to the course?

How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.

What if I am unhappy with the course?

We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.

Are these videos different from material on YouTube?

Yes! All the material in courses here at the Online Dharma Institute is completely new and none of it is available elsewhere.

Who should take this course?

If you're new to the teachings of the Buddha or early Buddhism, or if you already know about Buddhism but want to know more about the Eightfold Path, then you should take this course. If you want to find wisdom in your life, then you should definitely take this course!

Does this course follow any particular Buddhist tradition?

The courses on the Online Dharma Institute are aimed at presenting the teachings of early Buddhism in contemporary language and in a contemporary format. The Online Dharma Institute takes a generally secular approach to the dharma, striving to present the teachings that are most down-to-earth and directly beneficial to our present lives. We also aim to be ecumenical in the presentation of historical material, and will discuss more speculative or traditional elements of the early teachings as well.