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The Truth of Happiness

This set of discussions was based on John Haspel’s ‘The Truth of Happiness’ but were revamped to focus on the direct translations and/or commentary provided by Thanissaro Bikkhu. A handful of additional topics have been included, fabrications and the effluents, to round out the overall introduction to the Buddha’s Dhamma. John’s original writings have been preserved alongside the more direct canonical translations. Audio recordings are linked to the applicable PodBean episode.

AudioSubjectThanissaro Bikkhu ReferencesJohn’s Truth of Happiness
IntroIntroduction / ExpectationsCourse overview, change in approach, individual practice discussion/expectations
Week 1MeditationMN 118 Ānāpānasati Sutta | Mindfulness of BreathingWeek One – Introduction and Meditation
Week 2MindfulnessMN 10 Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta | The Establishing of Mindfulness DiscourseWeek Two – Four Foundations of Mindfulness
Week 3Four Noble TruthsSN 56:11 Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta | Setting the Wheel of Dhamma in MotionWeek Three – Four Noble Truths
Week 4Fabrications3 | The Varieties of Fabricated Experience | The Mirror of InsightN/A
Week 58FP – VirtueAn Analysis of the Path
Magga-Vibhaṅga Sutta  (SN 45:8)		Week Five – Eightfold Path – Virtue
Week 68FP – ConcentrationAn Analysis of the Path
Magga-Vibhaṅga Sutta  (SN 45:8)		Week Six – Eightfold Path – Concentration
Week 78FP – WisdomAn Analysis of the Path
Magga-Vibhaṅga Sutta  (SN 45:8)		Week Four – Eightfold Path – Wisdom
Week 8Three PerceptionsThe Three PerceptionsWeek Seven – Anicca, Anatta, and Dukkha
Week 9The Five Clinging AggregatesSN 22:48 Khandha Sutta | AggregatesWeek Eight – Dependent Origination and Five-Clinging Aggregates
Week 10Dependent OriginationSN 12:2 Paṭiccasamuppāda Vibhaṅga Sutta | An Analysis of Dependent Co-arisingWeek Eight – Dependent Origination and Five-Clinging Aggregates
Week 11Kamma and RebirthSN 35:145  Kamma Sutta
AN 5:57  Upajjhaṭṭhana Sutta		Week Nine – Karma and Rebirth
Week 12HindrancesAN 5:51 Āvaraṇa Sutta | ObstaclesWeek Ten – Hinderances to Awakening
Week 13EffluentsMN 2 Sabbāsava Sutta | All the EffluentsN/A
Week 14Precepts, Paramitas, Ratana SuttaTraining in Virtue | The Craft of the Heart
Khp 6 Ratana Sutta — Treasures		Week Eleven – Precepts, Paramitas, True Refuge: Ratana Sutta
Week 15AflameSN 35:28 Āditta-pariyāya Sutta | AflameWeek Twelve – Fire Discourse: Dispassion
Week 16Integration / ReviewPractical means to integrate &
group discussion