The Four Noble Truths: Transforming Our Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Well-Being, Online 1/17–2/7

Practice Center
Date / Time
Jan 17, 2026 / 11:00am - Feb 7, 2026 / 12:30am
Event Type
Classes & Extended Courses
Description

The Zoom link to participate in this event will be provided at least 24 hours before it begins. Please call 415-354-0360 if you have any questions.


Four Saturdays, 11 – 12:30 am PT

I teach only suffering and the transformation of suffering. —Buddha

The Four Noble Truths were Buddha’s first teaching and are still fundamental to Buddhist practice today. Despite being over 2500 years old, they form the essential Dharma gate to our own liberation and well-being.

Variously called the Four Wonderful Truths or the Four Holy Truths, these truths acknowledge the existence of suffering, the creation of suffering, the transformation of suffering, and the genuine possibility of restoring our well-being and touching liberation.

Thich Nhat Hanh wrote, “It is true that the Buddha taught the truth of suffering, but he also taught the truth of dwelling happily in things as they are (dhrista dharma sukha viharin)."

Amid recent U.S. policy shifts, people across the globe are suffering in ways unthinkable just a short time ago. Please join us as we explore together:

What is the nature of our individual and collective suffering?
How exactly might we perceive and hold suffering with greater wisdom and compassion?
And how do we embody these noble, holy truths in order to truly transform suffering?

Materials will be sent out in advance of each class. While purchase is not necessary, the teachers will reference the following books, in addition to other resources:

The Heart of Buddha's Teaching by Thich Nhat Hanh
What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula
The Four Foundations of Mindfulness by Sayadaw U Silananda

Recordings:
All course sessions will be recorded, and registered participants will receive temporary access to the recordings for later viewing.

Fee Information
  • Sustaining Level: $168
  • Member (Become an SFZC Member): $151
  • Sliding Scale 1: $101
  • Sliding Scale 2: $42
  • Current SFZC residents and qualified SFZC retirees may attend this course for free. To register, please email onlineprograms@sfzc.org at least 72 hours before the program begins.

Register Online

Or call 415-354-0360.

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