SIX-WEEK BUDDHIST STUDIES COURSE
THE BODHISATTVA'S PATH: EMPTINESS & COMPASSION
with Ethan Nichtern & Teaching Team
Tuesdays, May 20th – June 24th, 2025
from 7:00pm – 9:00pm ET
The bodhisattva is a spiritual practitioner who takes a vow to dedicate their path not just to their own development, their own well-being, their own awakening, but also for the benefit of others.
During this six-week online course with teachers Ethan Nichtern, Maho Kawachi, Lou Sharma, and Eric Gerard, we will explore the path of the bodhisattva and how we can truly be of benefit to others while also taking care of ourselves in the process.
We will focus on the meditative technique of tonglen, or “sending and taking” compassion meditation, which has been demonstrated by practitioners, neuroscientists, and psychologists alike to be profoundly transformative.
We'll also take a deep dive on the foundational teachings of The Four Great Vows of Zen, The Four Styles of Idiot Compassion, Spiritual Bypassing, The Six Paramitas, and The Heart Sutra.
REGISTER NOW FOR $325YEARLONG BUDDHIST STUDIES
The full yearlong program is comprised of five 6-week online courses. Courses like the one above can be taken individually and are suited for students of all experience levels.
Click here for more info about our Yearlong Buddhist Studies program. Please email [email protected] with any registration or payment questions.
WHAT OUR STUDENTS ARE SAYING:
“I could not speak more highly of this course and Ethan as a teacher! I came in as a complete beginner without a formal practice, so if anybody in the same boat now has doubts, don’t fret!”
“The online course allows this full time working mom to have access to the dharma and a sangha in a way that would be otherwise impossible. When the stars align and I can attend the live class, Ethan and his guests are engaging and interactive. The break out sessions are also insightful. Definitely worth investing the time and money.”
“This course changed my life. It opened so many things in my life and path…May it benefit many many people!”
ABOUT ETHAN
Ethan Nichtern is a Buddhist teacher and the author of The Road Home: A Contemporary Exploration of the Buddhist Path (Farrar Straus and Giroux, North Point Press), recognized as one of Library Journal’s Best Books of 2015 and featured on Tech Insider’s “9 Books That Define 2015.” His most recent book, Confidence: Holding Your Seat Through Life’s Eight Worldly Winds (New World Library), was released in June 2024 to critical acclaim.
In addition to his writing, Ethan hosts The Road Home podcast, which has been exploring modern Buddhism and meditation since its launch in 2018.
Since 2002, Ethan has taught meditation and Buddhist psychology classes and workshops around New York City and North America and Europe, along with working with students privately.
Ethan’s insights on Buddhism and meditation have been featured by CNN, NPR, ABC/Yahoo News, The New York Times, Vogue.com, Ten Percent Happier, Business Insider, Nautilus, and Vice.
THE BODHISATTVA PATH
TEACHING TEAM
LOU SHARMA
Lou Sharma has practiced meditation for over a decade, and has studied Dharma within Tibetan Buddhist traditions since 2016. In 2021, she completed Dharma Moon's Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training. Lou is interested in the ways mindfulness can empower more compassionate cultures of work, inspired by 10+ years of experience as a corporate researcher and brand strategist.
MAHO KAWACHI
Born and raised in Tokyo, Japan, Maho first encountered meditation and Buddhism in downtown Manhattan in 2000. She became an avid practitioner in 2008 and has over a decade of experience, practice, training, and certification credentials including completion of the Interdependence Project Teachers Training, Mindful Meditation Teachers Certified Program, and Mindful Mentor Training. She has trained with and under many influential teachers, including Ethan Nichtern, Jack Kornfield, and Tara Brach, and was fortunate to meet with HH the Dalai Lama in 2017.
ERIC GERARD
Eric has been practicing mindfulness for about nine years and recently graduated from the Spring 2024 MMTT cohort after three years of private study with Ethan Nichtern. He also completed the two year Year Long Buddhist Studies course, which has shaped his life and practice in meaningful ways. Originally from Chicago, Eric is an actor and also serves as the Co-Owner and Artistic Director at Blackbox Acting, a school that aims to prepare artists for their careers through a holistic approach.Eric is passionate about helping artists foster genuine connections with themselves and their work while encouraging vulnerability and bravery. He hopes to support others in developing a mindful and healthy relationship with their craft, whether that craft is art or the complex journey of existence.
