Picking up from where we left off, this week we ask what does any of this sci-fi stuff have to do with Buddhism?! On the one hand, while there may be parallels between sci-fi and Buddhism, often they deal with similar issues in very different ways. How movies like Alien or Starship Troopers deal with… Continue reading Buddhism and sci-fi (part two)
Some time ago, a listener asked us to talk about the Seven Masters and we dutifully responded with an episode on Nagarjuna. We thought we might take a stab at the other Masters, but this post quickly veers off topic — but the diversion is well worth a listen! The conversation begins with a discussion… Continue reading Seven Masters (part two): not really about the seven masters
Prompted by another listener question, we start off clearing up some issues about the "no self" or "anatman" doctrine in Buddhism. Does it mean "no soul"? Short answer, yes with an if; long answer, no with a but. In short, there is a world of difference between the question of a soul in a Christian… Continue reading Listener questions: no-self and universal Buddhism
Our second conversation on the Buddha, and what "the Buddha" means, we begin by talking about the Buddha in a specifically Pure Land Buddhist context. In particular we talk about Shinran's take on the Buddha, Dharmakara, and Amida. Shin Buddhist thought is both a part of Mahayana thought and somehow separate. We explore some of… Continue reading the Buddha: part two
What is the buddha? What are the ways people have conceived of the Buddha? Was he just a person? Teacher? Doctor? Historical figure? A transcendental super-human soteriological reality? All of these and more?! These are but some of the questions we raise in our discussion of the Buddha. Siddhartha Gautama, the eternal Sakyamuni Buddha, Buddha-bodies… Continue reading the Buddha: part one
