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Making Sense of Dhamma
A One-Year, Part-Time Online Course
What do the Buddha's words really mean?
And how does understanding them free us from suffering?
These questions form the basis of this course.
We make the core teachings of the Buddha accessible to those who already have an established practice but feel that they have reached a plateau and want to deepen their understanding of the Dhamma.
Through careful study of the Pāli suttas and guided reflection, we offer a way of engaging with the Dhamma that is both practical and transformative. Our course creates space for enquiry, dialogue and direct reflection, helping you to see the real meaning of these teachings in lived experience.
Where to begin?
For many, the Buddha’s words seem daunting. Drawing on years of study and practice, the teachers at Dhammastudies highlight key themes from the Pāli texts, offering clear interpretations with the aim of nurturing the conditions for right view to arise.
HOW?
Online Classes on Zoom
WHEN?
Saturdays (with Bhante Akiñcano)
Sundays (with Oliver Tanner)
2026
TERM 1 January 5th - March 30th
TERM 2 May 3rd - July 6th
TERM 3 August 2nd - October 11th
Our approach
PHENOMENOLOGICAL
Instead of avoiding facing the burden of existence by trying to become absorbed in a meditation object, we believe that some thinking is required in order to understand the Dhamma properly. A special kind of thinking that is:
... reflexive, not objective
... descriptive, not explanatory
... concerned with the structure of experience, not with specific objects
This phenomenological approach allows us to uncover the meaning of the core teachings in the Pāli Suttas.
GRADUAL
We have designed the sessions so that they build upon each other. There is a progressive order to the whole year. But even though the sessions have been carefully prepared, we want you to have the opportunity to move the discussion into directions that are particularly relevant to you. We have found that when people authentically engage and are willing to talk honestly about their own understanding of the texts, the sessions really come alive.
INTERACTIVE
The opportunity to talk about the Dhamma is an important element of the course. Surprisingly, discussing your own understanding is not a common practice in many meditation centres and monasteries. This may be, in part, because it is difficult to do so without taking one’s views personally and getting into emotionally charged conflicts. This course offers the chance to practise discussing your understanding in a safe, friendly and non-judgmental environment.
Goal
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
- Identify key concepts in the early Buddhist texts.
- Explore your own understanding of these concepts.
- Analyse texts that describe how the Buddha understood these concepts.
- Consider different translations and interpretations.
- Interpret the early Buddhist texts phenomenologically—relating them to how you understand the nature of this experience you find yourself in.
- Recognise concepts found in later Buddhist literature that are not found in the early texts.
Participant voices
"This course is not about Buddhism, this is about the pure teachings of the Buddha."
"I have gained immensely from this course. It has offered me a whole new perspective to consider in my journey to attaining the right view. I was challenged by Bhante and Ollie during the course to let go of a lot of my own conditioning regarding Dhamma and adopt a much broader perceptive to grow. On a very practical level, it has helped me take my meditation into daily life especially at times when it was very challenging (due to work and personal travel) to get my meditation in. I found it encouraging to incorporate my learnings about how I engage in life via every single transaction that involves my senses. I am very very grateful for this."
"A solid understanding of what the suttas are trying to communicate. My “understanding” was in large part incorrect. I had many “ah, I see. That’s what this means” moments. How I approach reading and contemplating the suttas has been totally changed. In addition, the way I experience my situation/experience has radically changed. Many things were pointed out in the class that have always been in front of me yet I never noticed them. For example, I’m always intending, always paying attention to some thing, always seeing, what feelings really are. I could list many, many more."
"My theoretical understanding has broadened, although this has resulted in more questions than answers. I view this as a good thing and enjoy the process of having my conceptions challenged. The experience has caused me to evaluate my own actions and sharpen my intentions."
"I would recommend this course to everyone who truly wants to understand the Buddha's words."
"I was most impressed by your willingness to reconsider positions / admit to mistakes. I also appreciated the ability to watch the videos of classes that I missed and to watch the videos from the other group"
"It has turned my practice and understanding upside down! While this is discombobulating and uncomfortable, I think it's a necessary part of growing my understanding of the Dhamma and making necessary course corrections on the path to liberation. There is so much learn and understand, and it's clear that it would have been exceedingly difficult to discover these texts and unraveled their meaning by myself. I'm very grateful for you sharing your knowledge and understanding so unconditionally."
"I appreciate the depth and breadth of learning that both instructors, Ven. Akiñcano and Ollie, bring to this course, and the tact and wisdom they show in answering sometimes tough questions. I'm so grateful for this opportunity. It's the highlight of my week!"
"This course has been transformative in that it has connected me with the early suttas from the Buddha; the depth and width of the presentations of the context of the suttas, the understanding of the Pali and the realization around the 'analytical investigation of the Dhamma,' with the reflective/questioning..."
"The love for & practical understanding of the Buddha's teachings; a respectful, insightful atmosphere; the humility of the teachers and their ability to transmit their wisdom without imposing it on anyone; a well-designed course that deals with the essential, without getting lost in paraphernalia."