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Sutta and Abhidhamma Studies
Two long-running classes held by the Mangala Vihara Dhamma Fellowship: one reading the Buddha's discourses directly, one studying the mind. Neither is examined.
Sutta Study Class
The class lets students learn the fundamentals of the Buddha's teachings through selected suttas from the Pāli Canon. The aim is to give students direct access to the authentic teachings, rather than to summaries of them.
Questions, answers and discussion at the end of each lesson deepen students' understanding and appreciation of the suttas and topics covered. Students receive the English translations of the selected suttas beforehand, for reading before class.
- Day
- Every Thursday, February to October
- Time
- 7.30pm – 9.15pm
- Venue
- Chew Quee Neo Hall, Level 2
Abhidhamma in Daily Life
Abhidhamma is a study of how the mind works and how it interacts with the body — a comprehensive and refined Buddhist psychology and philosophy with real consequences for how we live.
Topics are simplified so they are easier to learn and to apply as wholesome practice in daily life. Knowing the material makes the mind easier to manage; students learn more about their own minds, and how to stay balanced when facing life's daily difficulties.
- Day
- Every Saturday, February to October
- Time
- 2.30pm – 4.00pm
- Venue
- Chew Quee Neo Hall, Level 2
Who these classes suit
No prior study is needed for either class, and neither is examined. They are open to adults of any age, and people join at different points in their lives rather than at a set starting level.
Sutta Study suits you if you would rather read the Buddha's discourses yourself than read about them. Translations are sent out beforehand, so the reading happens at home and the class time goes on discussion.
Abhidhamma in Daily Life suits you if you are drawn to how the mind actually works. The material has a reputation for being technical; this class deliberately simplifies it toward practical use.
Many students take both. Some come to Abhidhamma after years elsewhere; others start here.
Anything worth reading first
Nothing is required. If you would like a head start:
For Sutta Study — the class sends the English translation of each sutta in advance, so the only preparation that matters is reading what arrives. If you want a sense of the territory beforehand, the Dhammapada is the traditional first text and is short.
For Abhidhamma — no prior reading is expected. The class begins from ordinary experience rather than from the classical lists.
[PLACEHOLDER, temple to supply: whether the teachers recommend a particular book, translation or edition for newcomers to either class.]
A note for Burmese speakers
Abhidhamma is also taught in Burmese at the temple, every weekend, through Myanmar Dhamma Studies — and Mangala Vihara has been a recognised examination centre since 2012 for the Abhidhamma examinations of Myanmar's Ministry of Religious Affairs. See Myanmar Dhamma Studies.
Joining a class
The days and times above are the regular pattern. Please confirm the current term before coming — call the temple on +65 6744 4285, or visit the office on Sunday between 10am and 1pm.