2901 W High St
Springfield, MO 65803
Phone: 417-866-1095
Weekly Dharma Classes
After our weekly chanting and meditation services and a short break, we have an opportunity to reflect on the Dharma, check-in with each other, and share how our practices our going:
- Saturday mornings, around 10:05 a.m.
- Note: We hope to resume Wednesday classes in the near future.
Those who are not able to participate in-person at the temple are invited to join us online using Google Meet. Accessing the class via web browser or app requires a Google account (audio or video). You can also access the class from any phone (audio only). Please contact David for more information or to receive instructions on how to join the class.
If you would like to receive regular emails for announcements, program planning, and Dharma discussions, please visit our Google Group page and follow the instructions when you "Ask to join group." It will look like this:
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?
2022-2023 Schedule (Year 4 of DTO studies)
Date (Noon to 3 PM Central Time)
09/10/22 Understanding our Mind Part I
09/24/22 Understanding our Mind Parts II-III
10/08/22 Understanding Our Mind Parts IV-V
10/22/22 Understanding Our Mind Part VI
11/05/22 Stepping Into Freedom pp 1-67 (Parts 1to 3)
11/12/22 Stepping Into Freedom pp68-141 (Parts 4 through end)
12/10/22 Avatamsaka Sutra CH 39 Pp 1135-1186
12/17/22 Avatamsaka Sutra CH 39 Pp 1186-1235
01/14/23 Anger
01/28/23 The Way of the Bodhisattva Intro; Text & Translation; CH 1,2; Appendix 1
02/11/23 The Way of the Bodhistattva CH 3,4,5,6,7
02/25/23 The Way of the Bodhisattva CH 8,9,10; Appendices 2,3
03/11/23 The Bodhisattva Ideal CH 1-4
03/25/23 The Bodhisattva Ideal CH 5-8
04/08/23 A Heart Full of Peace
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!