Buddhism in a Nutshell 1
A short course on Buddha’s timeless teachings for personal transformation
with Constantijn Koopman and Silvie Walraven
Are you curious about Buddhism? Would you like to learn more without making any long-term commitment? If so, this five-session course offers an accessible introduction to the essential principles of Buddhist philosophy and practice. It is one of the Introductory Courses of the FPMT Educational Programme.
Why exploring Buddhist principles may be meaningful
At certain times, life can bring experiences that quietly unsettle us—a sudden loss, a sense of falling short, or a lingering feeling of disconnection even in the company of others. Perhaps there are moments when you lie awake in the middle of the night, aware of an undercurrent of anxiety, or find yourself wondering in traffic whether there is more to life than constant striving. Sometimes even success can feel strangely unsatisfying, and no amount of distraction seems to ease the deeper longing for purpose or connection. These moments of questioning are not signs of failure, they are very human. And they can be invitations from a deeper part of ourselves, encouraging us to look in a new direction. For over 2,500 years, the Buddhist tradition has offered ways to relate to life’s challenges with greater understanding and compassion. Rather than promising to remove difficulties, Buddhism provides tools to cultivate steadiness and clarity, and to discover how our struggles can also be a starting point for genuine freedom and contentment.
About this short course
Over five Sunday afternoons, Silvie Walraven and Constantijn Koopman (both long term practitioners) will share an approachable overview of Buddhist perspectives on the mind, human experience, and the world around us. Each session will include explanations, discussion, and simple meditation practices designed to help you explore these ideas in a direct and personal way. This short course offers an opportunity to consider whether these principles can support you in your own development and daily life, as well as to share your reflections with other students.
The 5 sessions
- Awakening to Possibility: The Journey from Seeking to Finding
- Beyond Suffering: The Roadmap to Inner Freedom
- Building the Foundation: Creating Your Spiritual Base
- Heart Revolution: Transforming How You Love
- Mind as Creator: Unveiling the Nature of Everything
In each session, we’ll explore various topics from the Buddhist Path to Enlightenment, do short guided meditation sessions and will leave plenty of room for Q&A, discussion and reflection. After each session we’ll provide you with some points to reflect on in the weeks between two sessions.
This course is designed especially for those with little or no previous background in Buddhism, but it can also serve as a gentle refresher and a chance to share insights with others who are interested in these teachings.
Practical information
- Days & timings: Sundays from 13.30-16.30 hrs
- Dates: Oct 19, Nov 16, Dec 14, Jan 11, Feb 8
- Location: only onsite
- Language: English, but questions can be asked in Dutch
Donation
Dāna (generosity) is one of the cornerstones of the Buddhist path. With your donation we uphold our dharma center & program, which is managed entirely by volunteers.
The suggested donation for the course is €85. For students and people with low income, the suggested donation is €60. Please send us an email (amsterdam@maitreya.nl) if you'd like to make use of this option. Keep in mind that the donation amount should never be an obstacle to your access to the Dharma. Please contact us if it might be an obstacle for you.
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