Tuesday evenings
6:00–7:30p
September 1, 2026–October 20, 2026
Also known as the “foundational vehicle”, Hinayana is the first vehicle of the three-yana system of study – Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana. It is the basis for entering the path as taught in Vajrayana traditions. The first course in the series, Hinayana 201, introduces students to the ground or view of Hinayana. The second, Hinayana 202, describes the path and its results.
(HIN 202 will be offered in early 2027.)
Foundational Buddhism explores core teachings of the Buddha’s “First Turning,” the journey of individual liberation. HIN 201 topics include the Four Noble Truths (suffering, causes of suffering, liberation from suffering, and the path); the five skandhas (the basis for clinging to an existent self); dependent origination (the 12 nidanas); and the formation of karma. Views of the two principal schools of early Buddhism will also be introduced (the Sautrantikas and Vaibashikas).
Background
With its core Study Curriculum, Nalandabodhi has translated and adapted traditional Buddhist studies for Western students. Students progress sequentially through Buddhist philosophical schools, from foundational Hinayana precepts to Mahayana concepts of bodhichitta and buddha nature. Each course builds on the previous, resulting in an increasingly complex and subtle view.
Prerequisites
Introduction to Buddhism is the prerequisite for HIN 201. If you have not taken Introduction to Buddhism, you can follow this course as a self-guided, online study course before the HIN 201 class starts on September 1, 2026.
Click here to view the course on the Nalanda Digital Dharma site.
Topics
- Freedom, Renunciation, and the Three Trainings
- History, Schools, and Main Elements of the Hinayana View (Part 1): The Sixteen Aspects of the Four Noble Truths and the Five Skandhas
- The Main Elements of the Hinayana View (Part 2): Skandhas, Ayatanas, And Dhatus
- Dependent Origination (The Nidanas)
- Practicum: Analytical Meditation on the Sixteen Aspects of the Four Noble Truths
- The Views of the Vaibhashika and Sautrantika Schools
Schedule
Tuesday evenings
6:00–7:30p*
September 1, 2026–October 20, 2026
9/1/2026
9/8/2026
9/15/2026
9/22/2026
9/29/2026
10/6/2026
10/13/2026
10/20/2026
* click here for local time conversion.
Registration
Please select the appropriate registration category below:
- General Registration
- Nalandabodhi Member Registration (20% discount)
- Student/Senior/Discount Registration
- Repeat/Review Registration
Texts
The curriculum materials for the classes draw primarily from the teachings of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche. The curriculum can be purchased from the Nalanda Store and delivered via USPS or picked up at Nalanda West. Texts for both courses – HIN 201 and HIN 202 – can be ordered separately or together.
Format
This is a hybrid course that is being offered both online and onsite.
Registration Details
An auto-response email is sent upon registration. Please look for this email (subject: “Registration Confirmed: The Path of the Noble Ones: Hinayana View (HIN 201)”).
Questions
Please contact Karen de Luna with any questions about this course.
Teacher
Karunika Karen de Luna & TBD
Date/Time
Date(s) - Tue., September 29, 2026
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Location HYBRID Nalandabodhi Seattle @ Nalanda West
