We return to the topic of suffering and start off with the many nuanced meanings of the term. We get into some deep Abhidharma stuff and talk about how all dharmas are marked with impermanence and early Buddhist conceptions of suffering and the nature of samsara. This leads us to a nice little conversation about the relationship between samsara and nirvana which eventually leads us to hearty debate about “basic Buddhism” and what Shinran really knew. We wrap it all up with an insightful commentary on the trap of attachments that cause suffering.
Some resources mentioned in this episode include:
Herbert V. Guenther. Philosophy and Psychology in the Abhidharma. Originally published 1957. Second Revised Edition, Berkeley: Shambhala Publications, 1974, and Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited, 1974.
Ryusei Takeda’s article Pure Land Buddhist View of Duhkha can be downloaded from the IBS’s website.
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