In this seventh talk in the "Mindfulness, where Dharma meets Practice" series, we see how wisdom begins with study of the Dharma and how, mindful of the Dharma, we investigate our own experience.

In this sixth talk in the "Mindfulness, where Dharma meets Practice" series, we look more carefully at the nature of Dharma as working assumptions that, only by putting aside blind faith, we seek to understand in terms of our own experience.

In this fifth talk in the "Mindfulness, where Dharma meets Practice" series, we see how devotion based in the mindfulness of the three refuges becomes a powerful motivator for practice. We look at the role of admirable friends and the Sangha.

In this fourth talk in the "Mindfulness, where Dharma meets Practice" series, we look at the development of purity, the kind of character that cannot help but be harmless and of benefit, and the role of mindful observing of our intentions in developing such quality.

In this third talk in the "Mindfulness, where Dharma meets Practice" series, we look at the mindful practices of precepts and generosity, as means of becoming harmless and of benefit in a Buddhist life.

In this second talk in the "Mindfulness, where Dharma meets Practice" series, we look at the noble eightfold path, the basic instructions to keep in mind in our practice, and look more deeply at the role of Right Mindfulness and mindful observation (satipatthana).

In this first talk in the "Mindfulness, where Dharma meets Practice" series (MDP), we consider Buddhism as a skill. Dharma is the instructions, practice is living according to those instructions. Mindfulness is keeping those instructions in mind, remembering them.

Smart but not wise, I took up Buddhism as a rather step-by-step process of rational exploration. That is, until it swept me up to reveal things rather unanticipated.

Last week's talk demonstrated the exemplary support the Buddha provided to women's practice. This week we will look at a controversial text, describing with the origin of the nun's sangha, that at first sight seems to paint a starkly contrasting picture of the Buddha.

Buddhism is not widely known as a religion of gender-equality. But the early the discourses show repeatedly that the Buddha had the deepest kindness and respect for women, as particularly evident in his treatment of the nun's Sangha. (In part two we will look at the most controversial text in this regard.)