2901 W High St
Springfield, MO 65803
Phone: 417-866-1095

Dharma Teacher Order

​

"The Dharma Teacher Order is a group of monastics and lay people who follow the Vietnamese Zen (Thien) Buddhist tradition and are interested in 1) learning more about the Dharma (Buddha’s teachings), 2) developing our spiritual practices and 3) making the Dharma available to the Western Hemisphere. We are respectful of all Buddhist traditions as well as other religious denominations and welcome interaction with all of them. This is a four-year certificate program with an introduction to Buddhism, Buddhist sutras, and Buddhist thought. The course is a wonderful way to cultivate a more conscious and balanced life and helping yourself and others realize liberation from suffering."

Please Note: Beginning in 2022, DTO classes will be held via Zoom and will combine students from all participating sanghas. Our temple will continue to host a class that joins Zoom together for those who want to gather in person.

Q. Who can participate? Everyone is invited to attend and participate in our services, presentations, and special events. There are no special requirements to audit, and we welcome all who want to learn more about the Buddha’s teachings and practices.

Q: Do participants earn a certificate? For those who are interested, students completing all four years of study (and associated requirements) can receive a Certificate of Buddhist Studies. Students who complete a fifth+ year of study may be eligible to receive ordination as a Lay Dharma Teacher in the DTO.

Q: How much does the program cost? Annual tuition is $150, plus retreat costs; we also welcome and encourage students to donate what they are able to when possible to support the program. We make it easy to donate online here, or through many of the donation boxes at the temple. All donations by students support costs related to the program, including temple upkeep, retreat costs, and program materials. If you make an online donation through PayPal, please add a note that the donation is "for DTO". If a check is placed in a physical donation box, please write "DTO" on the bottom of the check.

Q: What about books? Students are also responsible for purchasing their own books, many of which can be found used or at your local library. Please ask us for more help if you have trouble with finding or paying for these books. A full list of the books currently used during all four years of study is available at the DTO website.

Q: What if it's too late to join? Auditing students can join any time. Certificate and ordination track students enroll by August each year.

Q: What happens during a typical class session?  We encourage all students to prepare for class through chanting and meditation. You can practice at home, or join the Texas or Missouri sanghas (in-person or online) on Saturday morning before class. Classes begin at noon and conclude by 3 pm. From 12 to 1:15 pm, a student then makes a presentation on the content of our reading assignment. We then take a personal break, followed by walking meditation. We return to class at 1:45 for a facilitated discussion on the material, concluding with announcements. Presentations are made by our students, with support from DTO mentors.

Q: What are you studying this year?

Date    (Noon to 3 PM Central Time)

For the immediate future, we will not have a set plan for our Dharma class. Instead, our discussion will include what class topics might best meet our needs. We will probably have a reopening event this summer, perhaps with a viewing of a film, such as the recent documentaries about the Most Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh (“A Cloud Never Dies” HERE and “I Have Arrived, I am Home” HERE).

Supplemental texts can be found in the DTO Book List: http://dharmateacherorder.org/book-list/

Q: How can I keep up to date about the classes? For more information, visit the Dharma Teacher Order website or contact David.  Thank you!