21st Century Dharma with the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies

FROM CONFLICT TO PEACE

Life Lessons from the Mahabharata and Other Sanskrit Texts

A Virtual Retreat hosted by The Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies
[Online: May 31, June 4, and June 11]

Faculty: Anuradha Dooney, Professor Gavin Flood, Simon Haas, Professor Christopher Key Chapple

A NOTE FROM THE FACULTY

21^st Century Dharma
Dharma is a concept that underlies Buddhist and Hindu practice. It provides guidance on how to navigate the world – whether you’re meditating under a tree or trying to create an ethical life in the 21^st century.

We examine how Indian thought traditions have understood dharma in the original texts and how much of this is practical in a modern context.

We begin with an overview of dharma and then move on to look at the texts that defined it. We examine the applicability of dharmic ideas in the here-and-now before discussing dharma and the greatest issue facing us all – environmental change.

Session One: Saturday, May 31, 2-3.15 p.m. ET

Speaker: Anuradha Dooney

What is Dharma?
At its simplest, dharma is about doing the right thing the right way. But simple is not a word usually associated with dharma as it means such different things to different people. This session introduces the idea of dharma, where it comes from, what the governing principles behind it are and what difficulties arise when contexts change. Is it always right to tell the truth? Is loyalty to friends and family more important than the welfare of others? How does dharma guide our care for the environment and fellow creatures? Is ahimsa or the idea of non-harming always the right way to go? What do we do when our idea of right might in a new context be wrong? How do we know what to do when our understanding of right and wrong collapses in crisis?

The term dharma has no direct translation into English but is variously translated as ‘duty’, ‘justice’, ‘law’, ‘ethics’, ‘merit’, ‘right’, ‘principle,’ and even ‘truth’. In order to understand its modern relevance – and if it has any – we need to examine the concept in the time and context of its arising. Originally, the term refers to the ritual order of sacrifice. Ideas of dharma were codified in the Dharmasastra – the treatises on dharma. Of these the most famous is the Laws of Manu or Manusmrti where dharma is understood according to our role in society and which stage of life we are in. Many of the rules sound outmoded – even unethical – by today’s standards. In this session we attempt to discern the essence without losing the purpose.

Session Two: Wednesday, June 4, 2-3.15 p.m. ET

Speaker: Professor Gavin Flood

Dharma for Modern Life: Creating Uplifting Habits and Overcoming Addictions
In this seminar with Simon Haas, author of The Book of Dharma, we will explore habits and addictions through the lens of Dharma. By taking an honest and thoughtful look at our current habits, we can identify which ones uplift us and which ones hold us back. Drawing on Dharma teachings from the Mahabharata and Puranas, we will explore ancient techniques for mindfully choosing habits that support us, while replacing those that harm us.

Session Three: Wednesday, June 11, 2-3.15 p.m. ET

Speaker: Simon Haas

Multiple Dharmas: Developing a Sense of Place, Learning to Love and Protect the Planet
Dharma may be seen as a holding (dhr), and embrace of the earth, waters, fire, and air. This interpretation will be explored through the prism of elemental meditations and ethical actions.

ONLINE COURSE PORTAL

You will be emailed a link to join the course portal approximately two weeks prior to the start of the course. Materials as well as links will be made available.

Your Zoom link will be mailed to you within 24 hours.

Please email us with questions etc. at: events@garrisoninstitute.org

TEACHERS

Anuradha Dooney was awarded a Masters in the Study of Religion at Oxford. She is a faculty member of the OCHS Continuing Education Department and has played a key role in curriculum development for the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and for UK schools.

Professor Gavin Flood is Professor of Hindu Studies and Comparative Religion at Oxford University, Academic Director of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, and Senior Research Fellow at Campion Hall. His publications include Religion and the Philosophy of Life (2019), The Truth Within: A History of Inwardness in Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism (2013), The Importance of Religion: Meaning and Action in Our Strange World (2012), and The Ascetic Self: Subjectivity, Memory, and Tradition (2004). He is also the General Editor of the series ‘The Oxford History of Hinduism’ and is a Fellow of the British Academy.

Simon Haas is an internationally renowned author and teacher of yoga philosophy who specializes in applying ancient wisdom to everyday life. He is author of the international bestsellers The Book of Dharma: Making Enlightened Choices and Yoga and the Dark Night of the Soul, published in seven languages. Simon has delivered seminars and workshops across five continents, including at the United Nations. He graduated in Law from the University of Cambridge and holds a Master of Studies in the Study of Religions with distinction from the University of Oxford. He is currently completing doctoral studies in Oxford.

Professor Christopher Key Chapple is Doshi Professor of Indic and Comparative Theology and founding director of the Master of Arts in Yoga Studies at Loyola Marymount University (LMU). in Los Angeles. He has published more than twenty books including Karma and Creativity; Nonviolence to Animals, Earth, and Self in Asian Traditions; Yoga and the Luminous; Living Landscapes: Meditations on the Elements in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain Yogas; and several edited volumes on religion and ecology.

He serves on the advisory boards for the Forum on Religion and Ecology (Yale), the Ahimsa Center (Pomona), the Jaina Studies Centre (London), the Dharma Academy of North America (Berkeley), the Uberoi Foundation (Denver), the South Asian Studies Association (Los Angeles), and the International School for Jain Studies (Delhi). He also teaches online for LMU’s Center for Religion and Spirituality.