{ "name": "Doug's Dharma Video Index", "description": "Machine-readable index of Doug's Dharma YouTube videos on early Buddhism.", "url": "https://dougs-dharma.github.io/dougs-dharma-index/", "source": "https://dougs-dharma.github.io/dougs-dharma-index/dougs_dharma_index.json", "generated": "2026-07-13", "count": 623, "videos": [ { "id": "wDFhZ5xrwWg", "title": "What I Got Wrong About Buddhism (And What Changed Everything)", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDFhZ5xrwWg", "date": "2026-06-29", "description": "Doug reflects on five key lessons he wishes he had understood earlier in his Buddhist practice: misconceptions about meditation, the importance of testing teachings rather than accepting them on faith, treating the Dhamma as tools rather than fixed dogma, the full scope of the gradual training beyond sitting practice, and the teachings on not-self and the two arrows.", "topics": [ "beginners", "meditation", "mindfulness", "practice", "noble eightfold path", "anatta/not-self", "suffering/dukkha" ], "suttas": [ "MN 22", "AN 3.65", "SN 56.11", "MN 10", "SN 45.8", "DN 2", "SN 22.59", "SN 36.6" ] }, { "id": "6WtRetCi_Oc", "title": "Why the Buddha Rejected Prayer (Mostly)", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WtRetCi_Oc", "date": "2026-06-15", "description": "Prayer is a nearly universal human response to difficulty. But what did the Buddha think of it? We'll look at his complex and nuanced response.", "topics": [ "prayer", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "AN 5.43", "SN 42.6", "AN 5.48" ] }, { "id": "U0XEkSFoWE8", "title": "Why the Buddha Taught You TO Think", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0XEkSFoWE8", "date": "2026-06-01", "description": "We're often told that meditation means emptying the mind. But the Buddha's own path to enlightenment tells a different story. We explore how Right Intention (sammā saṅkappa) and two famous suttas show that practice isn't about stopping thinking — it's about learning to think skillfully.", "topics": [ "meditation", "right intention", "eightfold path", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "MN 19", "MN 20" ] }, { "id": "g5KPDC__yVc", "title": "The \"Bee\" Philosophy: A Buddhist Guide to Sustainable Living", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5KPDC__yVc", "date": "2026-05-25", "description": "What did the Buddha have to say about living sustainably? We'll look to the early suttas for some clues and some inspiration we can take for living better lives today.", "topics": [ "nature/environment", "sila/ethics", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "Dhp 44–59" ] }, { "id": "hFygtrD5Qlo", "title": "The Buddha's 7 Methods for Overcoming Craving", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFygtrD5Qlo", "date": "2026-05-18", "description": "In the Buddha’s view, craving makes us bound to suffer. In MN 2, the Sabbāsava Sutta, he provided seven different strategies we can use to overcome such craving. We’ll look at all seven.", "topics": [ "craving/tanha", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "MN 2" ] }, { "id": "JlF3crwEcRs", "title": "What’s Changing on This Channel (And Why)", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlF3crwEcRs", "date": "2026-05-11", "description": "After nine-plus years of building a library focused on early Buddhist teachings, Doug shares some changes coming to the channel — what’s shifting in his thinking, how his life is evolving, and what you can expect going forward. The foundation stays, the exploration grows.", "topics": [ "channel news" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "HKlvHEPTqwQ", "title": "The Problem with Treating Meditation as a Tool", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKlvHEPTqwQ", "date": "2026-05-04", "description": "Meditation is a great tool to make our lives easier, but is that all it is? We’ll look at the popular notion of meditation as a kind of \"life hack\" and compare that view to a fuller understanding of meditation’s role in Buddhist practice.", "topics": [ "meditation" ], "suttas": [ "AN 10.1" ] }, { "id": "YDPMqWY1qXk", "title": "Nirvana Isn’t What You Think It Is", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDPMqWY1qXk", "date": "2026-04-27", "description": "How is Buddhist nirvana described in its early texts? It’s called the ultimate bliss, but also a state where nothing is felt. It’s called the deathless element, but also likened to the extinguishing of a candle flame. We’ll try to untangle this tangle by considering an air conditioner.", "topics": [ "nibbana/nirvana", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "Dhp 197–208", "MN 72", "Ud 8.1", "AN 9.34" ] }, { "id": "5CxRQHhNJLM", "title": "Hundreds of Dharma Videos – How to Find What You Need", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CxRQHhNJLM", "date": "2026-04-20", "description": "After nine years and 600+ videos, I’ve built a fully searchable index of the entire channel, organized by topic, sutta reference, and keyword search. Whether you’re new to the channel or a longtime viewer, the catalog is designed to help you find whatever question is alive for you right now.", "topics": [ "suttas/early texts", "channel news" ], "suttas": [ "SN 35.245" ] }, { "id": "_XyKDd1zLbw", "title": "The Chain of Suffering: The Buddha’s Hardest Teaching", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XyKDd1zLbw", "date": "2026-04-13", "description": "The doctrine of dependent origination is one of the Buddha’s most profound teachings. It’s also very hard to get a real grasp on. We’ll try to simplify the teaching by looking at a couple of suttas that may reveal an earlier stage in its development.", "topics": [ "dependent origination", "suttas/early texts", "suffering/dukkha", "Bronkhorst, Johannes", "Gombrich, Richard" ], "suttas": [ "DN 15", "Snp 4.11", "MN 18", "MN 28" ] }, { "id": "bCvmeLup4VM", "title": "Science Doesn’t Care What You Believe (And Neither Does the Dharma)", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCvmeLup4VM", "date": "2026-04-06", "description": "How do we avoid fooling ourselves? We’ll consider some similarities between the methodology of the sciences and the Buddha’s understanding of dharma and its practice.", "topics": [ "science and Buddhism", "epistemology", "secular Buddhism" ], "suttas": [ "SN 3.25", "Ud 6.4", "MN 63" ] }, { "id": "cU2Cqq8zkE4", "title": "The Karmic Gym: Why Kindness to AI Matters (Even if it Can’t Feel)", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU2Cqq8zkE4", "date": "2026-03-30", "description": "If AI might or might not be sentient, how should we treat it? In this companion video to \"AI and the Vagueness of Sentience,\" I propose \"strategic compassion\": treating AI systems with kindness and moral consideration regardless of whether they’re fully sentient.", "topics": [ "AI/artificial intelligence", "metta/loving-kindness", "karma", "sila/ethics" ], "suttas": [ "SN 5.10", "SN 23.2", "AN 2.9", "AN 6.63", "MN 19", "MN 65", "MN 125" ] }, { "id": "oDQ1hvW6trs", "title": "Generative AI and the Vagueness of Sentience: A Dharmic View", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDQ1hvW6trs", "date": "2026-03-23", "description": "Is AI sentient? I argue the question may not have a clear yes-or-no answer — and that this tells us something profound about the nature of personhood itself. Drawing on the ancient \"sorites\" paradox, philosopher Derek Parfit's work on personal identity, and the Buddha's own process-based definition of a \"sentient being,\" I argue that personhood is genuinely vague — not all-or-nothing. AI is making this undeniable.", "topics": [ "AI/artificial intelligence", "non-self/anatta", "philosophy", "five aggregates", "Parfit, Derek" ], "suttas": [ "SN 5.10", "SN 12.61", "SN 23.2", "AN 3.65" ] }, { "id": "OEqvlc26Cp0", "title": "The Harsh Truth About Having a Body, a Buddhist Perspective", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEqvlc26Cp0", "date": "2026-03-16", "description": "We'll surely encounter them: pain, illness, and aging. How do we deal with such difficulties? We'll look to some early Buddhist practices for clues.", "topics": [ "exercise/body", "suffering/dukkha", "death/mortality", "feelings/vedana" ], "suttas": [ "SN 36.6", "SN 22.1" ] }, { "id": "d9GUe48Rcrc", "title": "Silence Your Inner Critic: Buddhist Antidote to Anxiety", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9GUe48Rcrc", "date": "2026-03-09", "description": "We can be relentlessly self-critical, to the point of anxiety. Early Buddhism gives us insight into how best to understand and work with this negativity, helping us to tone down our inner critic.", "topics": [ "fear/anxiety", "metta/loving-kindness", "self/identity" ], "suttas": [ "SN 36.6" ] }, { "id": "S_fl8lU71Os", "title": "The 4+1 Things Every Human Needs (According to Buddhism)", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_fl8lU71Os", "date": "2026-03-02", "description": "What is the absolute minimum a human being needs, not just to survive, but to flourish? We often argue about \"safety nets\" as if they are a modern political invention. But 2,500 years ago, the Buddha established a specific list of \"Requisites\" (Paccaya): the non-negotiable floor required to live a noble life. In this video, we explore why a society that fails to provide this \"floor\" is, according to the Cakkavatti-Sīhanāda Sutta, a society destined for collapse.", "topics": [ "social justice", "wealth/money", "Buddha (historical)", "sila/ethics", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "DN 26" ] }, { "id": "iPH3Ys-pzZU", "title": "When the Government is Fire and ICE: A Buddhist Response to 2026", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPH3Ys-pzZU", "date": "2026-02-23", "description": "Robert Frost famously wrote that the world could end in two ways: in fire or in ice. In 2026, we are seeing both. We see the fire of greed burning up our norms, and the ice of hatred freezing out the vulnerable.", "topics": [ "politics" ], "suttas": [ "SN 35.28" ] }, { "id": "JEtgJMRpOZQ", "title": "Why 'Impermanence' is One Secret to Joy", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEtgJMRpOZQ", "date": "2026-02-16", "description": "We usually think of impermanence as bad news, and often it is! But if we step back a bit we can see how impermanence can also provide us with resilience and even joy if we understand it wisely.", "topics": [ "impermanence", "art" ], "suttas": [ "MN 131" ] }, { "id": "u50pV7iLOHk", "title": "Is Exercise Cheating? (A Buddhist View)", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u50pV7iLOHk", "date": "2026-02-09", "description": "Is exercise some kind of \"cheat\" to mental stability? We'll consider the importance of physical exertion to our practice, what it meant in the Buddha's day, and how we can integrate it into our routine.", "topics": [ "Buddha (historical)", "exercise/body", "views/ditthi" ], "suttas": [ "AN 3.100" ] }, { "id": "rRglc-b2rko", "title": "How Karma Works (Even if You Don't Believe in Rebirth)", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRglc-b2rko", "date": "2026-02-02", "description": "Karma can be understood as a this-life, psychological process. It can also be understood as deeply involved in the process of rebirth into other lifetimes. We'll consider both ways of approaching karma, and what the Buddha had to say about how they interrelated.", "topics": [ "karma", "rebirth" ], "suttas": [ "AN 6.63", "AN 3.100", "MN 19", "SN 12.17", "AN 4.77", "MN 131", "AN 3.65" ] }, { "id": "NeUt2jyhScY", "title": "The Buddhist Cure for \"Busyness\"", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeUt2jyhScY", "date": "2026-01-26", "description": "We live in a culture of \"busyness\", feeling overwhelmed rather than truly productive and fulfilled at work. What lessons might the Buddha have for us in navigating our productivity at work? As we'll see, it involves four ways we can learn to relinquish.", "topics": [ "work/livelihood" ], "suttas": [ "AN 4.62" ] }, { "id": "OW4-kuUbhIU", "title": "Did the Buddha Believe in \"Progress\"?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW4-kuUbhIU", "date": "2026-01-19", "description": "We live in a world that strives for progress. What does early Buddhism have to say about it? We'll consider two views of progress, how the Buddhist path aligns with them, and what it might really mean to \"progress\" along the Path.", "topics": [ "progress", "views/ditthi" ], "suttas": [ "AN 10.106", "AN 10.186", "AN 8.53" ] }, { "id": "oxskxqJSUA4", "title": "Is Solitary Buddhist Practice Selfish? (The \"Lone Buddha\" Path)", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxskxqJSUA4", "date": "2026-01-12", "description": "What would the Buddha say about the modern tendency to pursue quiet practice alone in our homes? Are there drawbacks or pitfalls to lone practice?", "topics": [ "loneliness/solitude" ], "suttas": [ "MN 122", "Snp 1.3" ] }, { "id": "9xpzIIu4Dpw", "title": "Should Buddhists Be Activists? (A 2,500-Year-Old Debate)", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xpzIIu4Dpw", "date": "2026-01-05", "description": "Is the Buddhist Path one of political engagement and activism, or one of disengagement and quietism? We'll look at some proponents of both views, then turn to how the early texts frame the issue.", "topics": [ "politics", "rhetoric/debate", "suttas/early texts", "views/ditthi", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu", "McLeod, Ken", "Lele, Amod", "Choesang, Yeshe" ], "suttas": [ "Dhp 100" ] }, { "id": "Gss2kQtTKo4", "title": "How to Stop Overthinking (An Ancient Buddhist Fix)", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gss2kQtTKo4", "date": "2025-12-22", "description": "How can we escape being caught in our own stories? We'll look at the Buddha's diagnosis of how such stories get spun, then turn to various practices we can use to introduce space, ease, and so quiet down our inner storyteller.", "topics": [ "mental proliferation/papanca" ], "suttas": [ "MN 18", "Ud 1.10" ] }, { "id": "Mt1w6TC5GLA", "title": "The AI Mirror: How Digital Worlds Reveal Your True Self", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mt1w6TC5GLA", "date": "2025-12-15", "description": "How many \"yous\" do you have? We'll look at how our online lives, as well as the rise of AI, help reveal to us the ancient Buddhist truth of non-self.", "topics": [ "AI/artificial intelligence", "non-self/anatta", "technology" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "egrYsmcyn2s", "title": "The Illusion of 'You': A Buddhist Guide to Freedom", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egrYsmcyn2s", "date": "2025-12-08", "description": "Our sense of self is a brilliantly constructed illusion. We'll take a peek behind the curtain at how it all comes together.", "topics": [ "self/identity" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "fZQQa2VQsMk", "title": "The \"Dissatisfaction Engine\" Running Your Brain", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZQQa2VQsMk", "date": "2025-12-01", "description": "We usually think that the route to true happiness is getting what we want. Yet dissatisfaction persists! We'll take a look at this frustrating conundrum, and point the way towards a solution.", "topics": [ "joy/happiness", "science and Buddhism" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "G__vk2WZfPc", "title": "The Buddha's 4-Step Method to Solve Any Problem", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G__vk2WZfPc", "date": "2025-11-24", "description": "We all have stress and suffering in our lives. Is there a method we can use to pinpoint its cause and bring relief? We'll look at the 2500 year old four-step method used by the Buddha, and how it can make our lives better today.", "topics": [ "suffering/dukkha" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "pNjPpr6xFpw", "title": "The Buddha on Movies, Music, and Media", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNjPpr6xFpw", "date": "2025-11-17", "description": "What did the Buddha have to say about entertainment? Is it ever skillful for us? We'll consider the difference between monastic and lay lifestyles, and how the Buddha saw entertainment as part of an ordinary life. Then we'll consider ways to make entertainment more skillful.", "topics": [ "entertainment/media", "sangha/community", "skillful/unskillful action" ], "suttas": [ "MN 22", "AN 5.41" ] }, { "id": "W3u18K5xL1E", "title": "Am I Enlightened? What Early Buddhism Says", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3u18K5xL1E", "date": "2025-11-10", "description": "How do you know whether you are enlightened? On the one hand, grasping for attainments can block our progress along the Path. But on the other hand, many of us have a legitimate curiosity about what enlightenment might be like. The early texts give us clues.", "topics": [ "attachment/clinging", "enlightenment/awakening", "progress", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "DN 1", "AN 9.34" ] }, { "id": "Ksxej1dCTgo", "title": "Avoiding the Trap of the 'Intelligent Fool' in Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ksxej1dCTgo", "date": "2025-11-03", "description": "The Buddha gave us a way to know about the world, but knowledge can become a trap without wisdom. How do we avoid becoming intelligent fools?", "topics": [ "epistemology", "wisdom/panna" ], "suttas": [ "AN 3.65", "MN 22" ] }, { "id": "mzZ4PcwbJtk", "title": "Free Will Worth Wanting: the Buddha's Radical Answer", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzZ4PcwbJtk", "date": "2025-10-27", "description": "The free will dilemma: are we mere puppets of our past conditioning? Or are we somehow magically able to rise above all causes to act with pure spontaneity? The Buddha rejected both these alternatives, and provided us with a third answer: freedom is something we can learn and train for.", "topics": [ "free will/determinism", "Dennett, Daniel", "Federman, Asaf" ], "suttas": [ "DN 2", "SN 22.59", "AN 3.61", "SN 22.59", "AN 6.63", "Ud 5.5" ] }, { "id": "jyMhA6UZZJ4", "title": "Why You Don't Do What You Know You Should", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyMhA6UZZJ4", "date": "2025-10-20", "description": "How often does it happen that we know what to do and yet don't do it? In the West this is often chalked up to \"weakness of the will\", but the Buddha had a different diagnosis.", "topics": [ "right intention", "skillful/unskillful action" ], "suttas": [ "MN 19", "MN 20" ] }, { "id": "Ger9h33r8Lk", "title": "Wisdom Isn’t What You Might Think — The Buddha’s View", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ger9h33r8Lk", "date": "2025-10-13", "description": "What makes someone wise? We'll consider two competing views from the Buddha's day, as reflected in an early sutta. Then we'll see how both views can be integrated into a livelier whole.", "topics": [ "Buddha (historical)", "suttas/early texts", "views/ditthi", "wisdom/panna" ], "suttas": [ "AN 4.35", "SN 41.5", "AN 4.176", "MN 19", "Snp 2.4" ] }, { "id": "ypiz1bl5hxY", "title": "How to Feel Happier Without Changing Anything", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypiz1bl5hxY", "date": "2025-10-06", "description": "Could it be that one key secret to our happiness lies not in getting, but in sharing? We'll look at the early Buddhist practice of muditā, or sympathetic joy.", "topics": [ "joy/happiness", "Salzberg, Sharon" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "luvp0ZSSeBE", "title": "6 Ways Buddhism Got Me Through a Scary Night", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luvp0ZSSeBE", "date": "2025-09-29", "description": "I landed in the emergency room a couple of weeks ago. Reflecting on that experience, I realized how useful my practice had been. I'll discuss six aspects of practice that were most important.", "topics": [ "personal reflection", "Salzberg, Sharon" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "IzinQ4r7s10", "title": "Why Did the Buddha Warn Against Views?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzinQ4r7s10", "date": "2025-09-22", "description": "One of the most counterintuitive and powerful aspects of early Buddhist thought is the practice of not clinging to views and opinions. What does this really mean? And why is clinging to views and opinions so dangerous?", "topics": [ "attachment/clinging", "views/ditthi" ], "suttas": [ "MN 22" ] }, { "id": "2jL9F7b7kfQ", "title": "Who’s Really Enlightened? The Buddha’s Surprising Take", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jL9F7b7kfQ", "date": "2025-09-15", "description": "How can we know who's really enlightened? It's not a simple question. We'll take a look at various early suttas that show even back in the Buddha's day it was not considered at all straightforward, but rather required a lot of time and effort, and even then it was far from sure. We'll also consider how this might reflect on our own attitude to practice today.", "topics": [ "Buddha (historical)", "enlightenment/awakening", "suttas/early texts", "time/momentariness", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "MN 21", "AN 4.192", "SN 3.11", "MN 47", "MN 95", "AN 6.59", "MN 112", "AN 3.65" ] }, { "id": "K6sbls1uzt0", "title": "Why the Buddha Might Tell You to Log Off - Practice in a World of Sensory Overload", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6sbls1uzt0", "date": "2025-09-08", "description": "Modern media are tailored to grab and hold our attention in ways that are not entirely healthy. The early Buddhist technique of guarding the sense doors can be a useful antidote. We'll discuss the syndrome of doomscrolling and the \"dopamine loop\" as well as how a practice of restraint fits in.", "topics": [ "entertainment/media", "pleasure", "technology" ], "suttas": [ "MN 38", "SN 35.120", "SN 35.127" ] }, { "id": "1MPFVkANplM", "title": "Is Regret Holding You Back? The Buddha's Surprising Approach", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MPFVkANplM", "date": "2025-09-01", "description": "The Buddha had a surprising approach to regret, and to how it fits into our practice. We'll discuss regret and the benefits of ethical reflection on our actions in early Buddhism, as well as how we can deal skillfully with making mistakes.", "topics": [ "regret", "sila/ethics" ], "suttas": [ "AN 5.142", "AN 6.15", "AN 10.34", "MN 61", "SN 46.53" ] }, { "id": "Fo96KED3PhA", "title": "What Did the Buddha Say About Time?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo96KED3PhA", "date": "2025-08-18", "description": "Time is fundamental to lived experience, but it's also something we don't give much thought to. The Buddha had a complicated approach to time, both cosmological and practical. We will consider his views about past, present, and future, about deep time, and how it applies to our practice.", "topics": [ "time/momentariness", "views/ditthi", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [ "MN 63", "SN 15", "MN 131", "MN 133", "Dhp 334" ] }, { "id": "toZ-U26iCbc", "title": "Playfulness on the Path: The Buddha and Humor", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toZ-U26iCbc", "date": "2025-08-11", "description": "Was the Buddha serious all the time? Or did he sometimes use humor and satire to teach lessons? We'll consider the Buddha's attitude towards laughter as well as his use of humor and satire in teaching and debating. Then we'll consider ways humor can be useful to our practice today.", "topics": [ "humor", "time/momentariness", "Gombrich, Richard" ], "suttas": [ "AN 3.107", "DN 27", "DN 1", "DN 11", "MN 130", "Snp 2.4", "SN 7.2", "SN 47.9", "DN 16" ] }, { "id": "oCsBs824rxs", "title": "What Did the Buddha Say About the Nature of Reality?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCsBs824rxs", "date": "2025-08-04", "description": "What really exists? It's an old question, and one that the Buddha approached in a unique way. We'll look at the Buddha's practical approach to questions of reality.", "topics": [ "nature/environment" ], "suttas": [ "SN 12.15", "SN 12.1", "MN 63", "AN 3.65" ] }, { "id": "fsdO0ojCLrA", "title": "Three Ways We Cling to a Self — And How to Let Go", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsdO0ojCLrA", "date": "2025-07-28", "description": "The Buddha identified three ways we cling to a sense of identity over time. We'll look at all three in the light of one early commentarial interpretation linking each one to a different mental defilement. Then we'll consider how we can practice so as to release them.", "topics": [ "letting go", "self/identity", "time/momentariness" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "mpkWFn5KaOY", "title": "Why Did the Buddha Say the Mind Was Like a Monkey?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpkWFn5KaOY", "date": "2025-07-21", "description": "The simile of the \"monkey-mind\" is common in Buddhism. We'll look at what may be its first appearance in an early sutta. Why did the Buddha use this simile? What was he trying to get across? We'll find a number of surprising and unusual points.", "topics": [ "suttas/early texts", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "SN 12.61", "MN 10" ] }, { "id": "_Reed8IFv-g", "title": "How Did the Buddha Teach Nonviolence Without Being Passive?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Reed8IFv-g", "date": "2025-07-14", "description": "Nonviolence was a core ethical principle for the Buddha, playing a key role in the Eightfold Path. But it was not to be confused with passivity nor inaction. We will consider various ways the Buddha's nonviolent approach to difficulty and conflict was courageous and decisive.", "topics": [ "eightfold path", "sila/ethics", "war/violence/nonviolence" ], "suttas": [ "MN 21", "MN 86", "AN 8.20", "Ud 5.5", "Vinaya, Saṅghādisesa 13", "Vinaya, Khandhaka 10" ] }, { "id": "-oQiCveY-Rw", "title": "What Did the Buddha Teach About Love and Relationships?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oQiCveY-Rw", "date": "2025-07-07", "description": "Does early Buddhism allow for romantic affection and love? We'll look at two ways to understand love, both as universal and as personal, and how the Buddha regarded them.", "topics": [ "relationships/love" ], "suttas": [ "DN 31", "AN 4.53", "AN 4.55", "Dhp 209", "AN 7.53", "MN 123" ] }, { "id": "Ou7iVfUG2xU", "title": "The Deeper Freedom in Buddhist Renunciation", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou7iVfUG2xU", "date": "2025-06-30", "description": "When we think of renunciation we often think in terms of giving up material things. But there's more to it than that. We'll look at this deeper aspect to renunciation practice, as well as a couple of key mistakes people make when considering renunciation.", "topics": [ "generosity/dana", "renunciation" ], "suttas": [ "MN 66", "Dhp 100" ] }, { "id": "Y87ObheErVU", "title": "What Is a \"Fool\" In Early Buddhism?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y87ObheErVU", "date": "2025-06-23", "description": "What did the Buddha mean by calling certain people \"fools\"? We'll consider what the words meant, and how we can recognize and overcome our own moments of foolishness.", "topics": [ "skillful/unskillful action" ], "suttas": [ "Dhp 60", "MN 33", "AN 11.17", "Dhp 44", "MN 95", "Dhp 76", "MN 61" ] }, { "id": "aM71qEEI1yI", "title": "Buddha's Advice on Discussion and Debate", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM71qEEI1yI", "date": "2025-06-16", "description": "How did the Buddha handle difficult discussions and debates? We will look at four ways he said we should respond to questions, as well as the key differences between skillful and unskillful discussion. Then we will turn to how we can make use of the Buddha's techniques nowadays.", "topics": [ "rhetoric/debate", "skillful/unskillful action" ], "suttas": [ "AN 3.67", "AN 4.42", "SN 22.59", "MN 9" ] }, { "id": "D_7vrCTHcz4", "title": "Solitude: Its Advantages and Drawbacks in Buddhist Practice", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_7vrCTHcz4", "date": "2025-06-09", "description": "The Buddha praised solitude as highly beneficial, but he also warned of its dangers. How can we best balance solitude and community in our practice, and how can we cultivate solitude even in our busy everyday lives?", "topics": [ "loneliness/solitude", "work/livelihood" ], "suttas": [ "MN 122", "AN 10.99", "SN 45.2" ] }, { "id": "zP25O1MCMn0", "title": "Exploring Buddhism's Traditional And Lesser Known Refuges", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP25O1MCMn0", "date": "2025-06-02", "description": "In early Buddhism there were various understandings of \"refuge\". Most well known is that of the Three Jewels: Buddha, dharma, and sangha. But there were others as well. We will take a look at them, and consider how they interrelate.", "topics": [ "sangha/community", "three refuges" ], "suttas": [ "SN 55.1", "SN 55.2", "DN 16", "Dhp 157", "Dhp 273", "Dhp 179" ] }, { "id": "lBOoZIK3438", "title": "The Essential Role of Joy in Buddhist Practice", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBOoZIK3438", "date": "2025-05-26", "description": "When we think of Buddhist practice, we usually don't think of joy, and yet joy is central to the path. We will consider ways in which practice can be used to cultivate joy, both in formal meditation and in daily life. We will also consider ways that joy can be helpful to us in making progress.", "topics": [ "joy/happiness", "meditation", "progress" ], "suttas": [ "AN 5.28", "AN 8.37", "MN 61" ] }, { "id": "qet0WqgCUoA", "title": "The Buddha's Lessons on Skillful Communication", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qet0WqgCUoA", "date": "2025-05-19", "description": "Communication is a critical life skill, particularly in the contemporary world of 24/7 social media. We'll look at what the Buddha had to say about skillful speech and apply it to communication more broadly. We will also look at examples of difficult conversations in the Buddha's day.", "topics": [ "Buddha (historical)", "entertainment/media", "skillful/unskillful action", "technology" ], "suttas": [ "Dhp 100", "AN 5.198", "MN 58", "MN 21", "SN 7.2" ] }, { "id": "l4TlCvJqasg", "title": "What Did the Buddha Teach About Wealth?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4TlCvJqasg", "date": "2025-05-12", "description": "How does wealth intersect with the dharma? We'll look at some of what the early texts say about wealth and poverty, as well as some of their challenges and opportunities along the path.", "topics": [ "suttas/early texts", "wealth/money" ], "suttas": [ "AN 5.41", "DN 31", "AN 4.62", "SN 3.19", "SN 3.20", "AN 6.45", "DN 26", "SN 3.6", "Dhp 197", "SN 20.4", "AN 1.259", "Ud 2.9" ] }, { "id": "EfvfjqTEpeA", "title": "Doubt as Hindrance and Teacher in Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfvfjqTEpeA", "date": "2025-05-05", "description": "What did the Buddha have to say about doubt? We'll look at the ways it can be a hindrance to our progress along the path, as well as a stepping stone to advancement. We'll consider ways that doubt can be overcome, and look at two key examples of this in the early texts.", "topics": [ "doubt", "progress", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "SN 46.55", "MN 23", "SN 22.84", "AN 3.65", "MN 74", "MN 26" ] }, { "id": "IAWx_eTeDqU", "title": "What Did the Buddha Teach About Emotions?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAWx_eTeDqU", "date": "2025-04-28", "description": "In early Buddhism emotions are both unproblematic features of our mental environment, and things to be cultivated or transformed, depending on the case. We will look at these aspects of emotions, and how we can work towards a healthy emotional life.", "topics": [ "nature/environment", "work/livelihood" ], "suttas": [ "MN 62" ] }, { "id": "sPvuvq5E0g4", "title": "The Overlooked Practice of Buddhist Renunciation - What Are We Letting Go Of?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPvuvq5E0g4", "date": "2025-04-21", "description": "Renunciation practice is often overlooked in contemporary Buddhism, but it's central to the Eightfold Path. What is it, and how can we navigate it skillfully, in particular as laypeople living ordinary lives?", "topics": [ "eightfold path", "letting go", "renunciation" ], "suttas": [ "MN 141", "MN 66", "AN 9.41", "SN 41.9" ] }, { "id": "9yCXPCjXvMk", "title": "Four Ways Contemplating Mortality Can Be Life Changing: Its Role in Early Buddhist Practice", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yCXPCjXvMk", "date": "2025-04-14", "description": "My father recently passed away, so I'm thinking about mortality. I'll discuss its centrality to early Buddhist meditation practice as well as its relation to impermanence generally. Then I'll turn to four ways that contemplating mortality can actually be liberating.", "topics": [ "death/mortality", "impermanence", "meditation", "Ajahn Chah" ], "suttas": [ "MN 10", "AN 5.57", "AN 6.19", "AN 6.20", "DN 16" ] }, { "id": "WhpF_bqXzdY", "title": "Why Does the Buddha Emphasize Contentment?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhpF_bqXzdY", "date": "2025-04-07", "description": "Does searching for contentment in Buddhism mean settling for less out of life? How do we balance contentment with an aspiration for personal growth? We will consider such questions, as well as relate contentment to equanimity in early Buddhist practice. We will see that a practice of contentment can help us attain a measure of true freedom.", "topics": [ "contentment", "equanimity" ], "suttas": [ "SN 16.1", "DN 2", "MN 2", "Dhp 197" ] }, { "id": "qkhj0sCPlM8", "title": "Buddha's Response to Harm: Challenging Wisdom", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkhj0sCPlM8", "date": "2025-03-31", "description": "What does early Buddhism say about responding to harm? We'll explore how the Buddha's teachings on kindness, compassion, and forgiveness inform a wise response to harm in general, and to habitual or unavoidable harm in particular.", "topics": [ "compassion", "forgiveness", "wisdom/panna" ], "suttas": [ "MN 21", "AN 7.64", "Dhp 197", "Ud 5.5" ] }, { "id": "_hCmTyYiLVk", "title": "What Does It Mean to Be a Stream-Enterer in Early Buddhism?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hCmTyYiLVk", "date": "2025-03-24", "description": "We'll look at the traditional notion of \"stream-entry\" in early Buddhism, as well as one scholar's historical reconstruction of how the concept might have developed. Then we'll turn to some practical relevancies of stream-entry to us today, as well as one key pitfall that we need to avoid.", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening" ], "suttas": [ "AN 3.87", "AN 3.88", "AN 9.27", "SN 55.53", "SN 55.6" ] }, { "id": "X_YFWdGA3Zs", "title": "The Paradox of Effort in Buddhist Practice", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_YFWdGA3Zs", "date": "2025-03-17", "description": "We make effort toward a goal, and yet often our conception of that goal itself becomes a hindrance to our advancement along the path. We'll investigate this central paradox in Buddhist practice, and how to negotiate a balanced effort in our practice.", "topics": [ "right effort" ], "suttas": [ "AN 6.55" ] }, { "id": "Yzi--o10cJA", "title": "Striking A Balance: Finding The Middle Way In Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzi--o10cJA", "date": "2025-03-10", "description": "The Middle Way is a convenient shorthand for a number of related views and practices tending towards balance and moderation in early Buddhism. We will consider some of them, as well as other traditions that put forward similar viewpoints. We will also investigate how we might use the middle way as a template to help navigate some of the difficulties of modern living.", "topics": [ "middle way", "views/ditthi" ], "suttas": [ "SN 56.11", "MN 14", "MN 85", "Ud 6.8", "SN 12.15" ] }, { "id": "uTyspcgyhnU", "title": "Is Nirvana Achievable For Everyone?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTyspcgyhnU", "date": "2025-03-03", "description": "Is it possible for a layperson to reach the highest attainment in early Buddhism? The focus of early Buddhist practice was monastic. However as we will see, there is also fascinating early evidence that laypeople could aspire to very high attainments, perhaps even nirvana itself.", "topics": [ "nirvana/nibbana", "sangha/community", "Gombrich, Richard" ], "suttas": [ "MN 36", "MN 68", "MN 71", "MN 73", "SN 55.37", "AN 8.54", "AN 6.119", "AN 6.120-139", "Vimalakīrti Nirdeśa" ] }, { "id": "6EFJcP_sbrs", "title": "Can a Small Intention Change Your Life? Buddhist Karma as Cause and Effect", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EFJcP_sbrs", "date": "2025-02-17", "description": "What is Buddhist karma and how does it work? It's most useful to view karma as a natural law of cause and effect, showing how our intentions shape our experiences. I'll demystify some common misconceptions of Buddhist karma, provide some contemplative practices, as well as discuss how a focus on the present moment can help illuminate how karma works.", "topics": [ "karma", "time/momentariness", "views/ditthi", "work/livelihood" ], "suttas": [ "AN 6.63", "MN 19", "SN 36.21", "AN 4.77", "Dhp 157" ] }, { "id": "-Hk-MhKEeio", "title": "Heart of Early Buddhist Practice: the Sangha or an Island?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Hk-MhKEeio", "date": "2025-02-10", "description": "On the one hand the Buddha recommended the sangha as a vital place of practice, one of the three jewels. On the other hand, at the end of his life the Buddha recommended we take refuge in ourselves and the dharma, and in nothing else. Can we reconcile these two apparently contradictory tendencies in early Buddhism?", "topics": [ "sangha/community", "three refuges" ], "suttas": [ "Ud 5.5", "MN 65", "AN 10.99", "AN 5.106", "DN 16" ] }, { "id": "FnSfJ7AxKRA", "title": "What Matters Most to You? Finding Your Path in Early Buddhist Practice", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnSfJ7AxKRA", "date": "2025-02-03", "description": "The Buddhist path is a path for all, however our approach to practice must be personal, dependent upon our goals and values. We explore the range of possible goals we might have, and explore ways that the practices of early Buddhism can meet those goals.", "topics": [ "eightfold path" ], "suttas": [ "Dhp 116" ] }, { "id": "dcJ-2iKdS0I", "title": "Aspiration vs. Craving - A Buddhist Guide to Contentment and Ambition", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcJ-2iKdS0I", "date": "2025-01-27", "description": "In Buddhism craving is understood to be the source of our suffering. But what about healthy aspirations and ambitions? We'll look at differences between craving and healthy aspiration, and how to cultivate aspiration while reducing craving. Finally we'll turn to the role of contentment at the end.", "topics": [ "contentment", "attachment/clinging", "suffering/dukkha" ], "suttas": [ "Iti 58", "Dhp 204" ] }, { "id": "N6Rw9tnwy8I", "title": "How to Live Mindfully: Everyday Buddhist Practices for a More Peaceful Life", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6Rw9tnwy8I", "date": "2025-01-20", "description": "Mindfulness isn't only about formal meditation, it's meant to be taken into all aspects of our life, even the most mundane. We'll provide practical tips on how this can be achieved, and discuss the advantages of living more mindfully.", "topics": [ "meditation", "mindfulness", "Nhat Hanh, Thich" ], "suttas": [ "MN 10" ] }, { "id": "MQYmuoKdsGY", "title": "The Art of Letting Go: Early Buddhist Teachings for Everyday Life", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQYmuoKdsGY", "date": "2025-01-13", "description": "We crave attachment, and yet attachment brings suffering. The way out is through a practice of letting go. After describing the phenomenon of attachment, we'll discuss some practices of letting go as well as some of their benefits.", "topics": [ "attachment/clinging", "letting go", "suffering/dukkha" ], "suttas": [ "MN 24", "MN 11" ] }, { "id": "ypShRWUDW3c", "title": "The Nature of the Mind - Insights from Early Buddhism on Understanding Yourself", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypShRWUDW3c", "date": "2025-01-06", "description": "Early Buddhism provides several key insights into ourselves that can aid in living with greater clarity and peace. We will look at a couple of these as well as suggest practices for cultivating awareness of them.", "topics": [ "nature/environment" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "AVMj9ViiuDM", "title": "The Power of Kindness - Cultivating Compassion and Kindness from Early Buddhist Teachings", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVMj9ViiuDM", "date": "2024-12-23", "description": "Kindness and compassion are key early Buddhist teachings. What are they, and why are they important? We'll look at these questions as well as suggest several practices for cultivating such beneficial states.", "topics": [ "compassion" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "LypuXZX8BK4", "title": "Fame and Polemics: Lion's Roar of the Heart Sutra", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LypuXZX8BK4", "date": "2024-12-16", "description": "In this second video on the Heart Sutra we'll look at its importance within the history of Buddhist dharma. What is its distinctive, polemical framing? What sorts of claims does it make, and how does it justify them? This all leads to the question of how and why the sutra is so important, and how it became so famous.", "topics": [ "Mahayana", "fame", "heart sutra/prajnaparamita", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [ "Heart Sūtra" ] }, { "id": "QwtmWCx5Mko", "title": "Heart Sutra: Essence of a New Wisdom", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwtmWCx5Mko", "date": "2024-12-09", "description": "What is the Buddhist Heart Sutra and what does it tell us? We'll look at its history, peruse the text, then discuss some of its key insights through various early commentaries.", "topics": [ "Mahayana", "heart sutra/prajnaparamita", "wisdom/panna" ], "suttas": [ "Heart Sūtra" ] }, { "id": "XmT8Msu6gqg", "title": "Karma Is Not What You Think It Is in Buddhism: Two Troubling Parables", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmT8Msu6gqg", "date": "2024-12-02", "description": "Often pursuit of good karma is understood as the path to moral purity in Buddhism. The truth is somewhat different. We will look at one early sutta with a couple of incisive but disturbing parables to make the point.", "topics": [ "karma", "suttas/early texts", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "AN 3.100" ] }, { "id": "-1Q_bVnPFCA", "title": "Want to Break Free from Suffering? How Intentions Hold You Back: The Case of the Miser's Regret", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1Q_bVnPFCA", "date": "2024-11-25", "description": "The workings of karma in Buddhism can reveal some deep psychological insights. One has to do with the role of intention in promoting happiness or misery. We will consider one early sutta to make the point, and look at the example of the regretful miser.", "topics": [ "joy/happiness", "karma", "regret", "suffering/dukkha", "suttas/early texts", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "SN 3.20" ] }, { "id": "LN064MEf_V4", "title": "Decoding the Buddha's Most Puzzling Teaching", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LN064MEf_V4", "date": "2024-11-18", "description": "One way dependent origination begins is through the mutual conditioning of consciousness and name-and-form. What does this mean, and how is it supposed to work? We'll look at its traditional understanding first, using the early suttas as guidance. Then we'll turn to how we might work with it today.", "topics": [ "conditionality", "consciousness", "dependent origination", "suttas/early texts", "work/livelihood" ], "suttas": [ "SN 12.67", "DN 15", "SN 12.2" ] }, { "id": "zTzCjeg34ng", "title": "True Buddhist Spirituality?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTzCjeg34ng", "date": "2024-11-11", "description": "What makes us \"truly spiritually inclined\"? One aspect may be \"nibbidā\", a Pāli word with a number of interpretations. We'll consider those interpretations, and how becoming disenchanted is key to true spirituality.", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "AN 7.83", "SN 12.23" ] }, { "id": "tHUUxBpKL_w", "title": "Do We Have a Duty to Act in Buddhism?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHUUxBpKL_w", "date": "2024-11-04", "description": "Central ethical principles in Buddhism involve various prohibitions, things we aren't supposed to do. But do we also have positive duties to act in Buddhism? We'll consider various examples from the early suttas.", "topics": [ "duty/obligation", "sila/ethics", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "Vinaya, Khandhaka 8", "SN 3.19", "SN 3.20", "AN 5.166", "AN 4.100" ] }, { "id": "IvAd0VhkQiI", "title": "Is Forgiveness Not Buddhist?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvAd0VhkQiI", "date": "2024-10-28", "description": "Is forgiveness good Buddhist practice? We'll consider two essays from Tricycle magazine that argue both sides of this issue. One by Ken McLeod argues that forgiveness is not Buddhist, and the other by Thanissaro Bhikkhu argues that it is.", "topics": [ "forgiveness", "Thanissaro, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [ "Dhp 1", "AN 3.100" ] }, { "id": "3jl_7v3hwqQ", "title": "Don't Idolize People (Even the Buddha Made Mistakes)", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jl_7v3hwqQ", "date": "2024-10-21", "description": "Often religions are built around the ideal of a perfected being, but such ideals mask historical reality. We will look at a hint of this in early Christianity as well as several examples from early Buddhism of the Buddha's own fallibility and humanity. We'll then turn to one contemporary author who says, \"Please Don’t Idolize Me (or Anyone, Really)\".", "topics": [ "pride/conceit", "Gross, Rita" ], "suttas": [ "MN 26", "MN 53", "SN 54.9", "MN 67", "AN 8.51", "SN 22.87", "DN 16" ] }, { "id": "h1A7GwrvaGw", "title": "Is Meditation Dangerous?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1A7GwrvaGw", "date": "2024-10-14", "description": "Is meditation dangerous? We'll consider one recent journalistic investigation into the Goenka meditation retreat system, as well as some of the work of Brown University psychologist Willoughby Britton. Then we'll turn to the early texts for some additional evidence. Finally we'll consider how to approach meditation most wisely.", "topics": [ "meditation", "suttas/early texts", "work/livelihood", "Britton, Willoughby" ], "suttas": [ "MN 128", "SN 54.9" ] }, { "id": "6Coc7r_d_l4", "title": "Do Buddhists Believe in God?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Coc7r_d_l4", "date": "2024-10-07", "description": "Buddhism's views about god and gods are paradoxical. On the one hand, all traditional forms of Buddhism accept the existence of deities. On the other hand, Buddhism is fundamentally an atheistic religion. We'll consider this paradox with a look at early Buddhism in particular.", "topics": [ "devas/supernatural beings", "views/ditthi" ], "suttas": [ "DN 1", "DN 11", "AN 3.61", "AN 5.43" ] }, { "id": "LbkDlRrV62c", "title": "The Buddha in the Voting Booth: Buddhist Political Thought", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbkDlRrV62c", "date": "2024-09-30", "description": "What would the Buddha have told us about political involvement? We'll look at a couple of recent scholarly takes on this question that suggest political disengagement. Then we'll turn to some of the Buddha's political views, and how it all might help us towards a better future in today's world. To check voting registration in the US: https://vote.gov/", "topics": [ "politics", "views/ditthi" ], "suttas": [ "DN 27", "DN 26" ] }, { "id": "MT9kuyeeI4I", "title": "Buddha's First Sermon: Metaphor, History, Teachings", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT9kuyeeI4I", "date": "2024-09-23", "description": "The sutta on the Rolling Forth of the Wheel of the Dharma is purported to be the Buddha's first sermon. We will consider the relevance of the metaphor of the wheel in this discourse. Then we'll turn to some historical questions and problems with it. Finally we will take a look at the content of the sutta, and its two main topics.", "topics": [ "suttas/early texts", "Piya Tan", "Norman, K.R." ], "suttas": [ "SN 56.11", "MN 26", "MN 4", "MN 2", "SN 22.59" ] }, { "id": "Ugs5JQ5E0pQ", "title": "Practicing Buddhist Right Concentration: Encountering the Esoteric", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ugs5JQ5E0pQ", "date": "2024-09-16", "description": "How do we practice Right Concentration in Buddhism? We'll look at various uses of the term \"samādhi\" (concentration) in early suttas, and then turn to perhaps the main practice of deep meditation that is indicated by Right Concentration. We'll see why this practice is considered by many the true culmination of the Eightfold Path, even though controversies persist around it to this day.", "topics": [ "concentration/samadhi", "eightfold path", "meditation", "suttas/early texts", "Gunaratana, Henepola" ], "suttas": [ "SN 45.8", "MN 117" ] }, { "id": "dNgZWnyfWAs", "title": "Practicing Buddhist Right Mindfulness: Touching Bedrock", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNgZWnyfWAs", "date": "2024-09-09", "description": "How do we practice Right Mindfulness in Buddhism? We'll look at the traditional Four Foundations of Mindfulness, and what the point is of living a mindful life.", "topics": [ "mindfulness", "satipatthana", "Gunaratana, Henepola" ], "suttas": [ "SN 45.8", "MN 10", "MN 118" ] }, { "id": "JcVus8XXTjo", "title": "Practicing Buddhist Right Effort: the Path Has to Be Walked", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcVus8XXTjo", "date": "2024-09-02", "description": "What is Right Effort in Buddhism, and how is it key to practicing the Eightfold Path? We'll look at the four types of Right Effort, picking out one practice that illustrates each.", "topics": [ "eightfold path", "right effort", "Gunaratana, Henepola" ], "suttas": [ "SN 45.8" ] }, { "id": "kLzA1yNHNbc", "title": "Practicing Buddhist Right Livelihood: Surprisingly Beneficial", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLzA1yNHNbc", "date": "2024-08-26", "description": "What is Right Livelihood in Buddhism? We'll consider the five traditional \"wrong livelihoods\", and then turn to other manifestations of wrong livelihood mentioned in the early texts. That will help us understand what Right Livelihood means in a bigger sense, and how we might practice with it.", "topics": [ "right livelihood", "suttas/early texts", "work/livelihood", "Gunaratana, Henepola" ], "suttas": [ "SN 45.8", "AN 5.177", "SN 42.2", "SN 42.3", "DN 1", "SN 28.10" ] }, { "id": "M8IVFijYLEs", "title": "Practicing Buddhist Right Action: Avoiding Regret", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8IVFijYLEs", "date": "2024-08-19", "description": "What does Right Action mean in Buddhist practice? We'll consider the various aspects of Right Action along with difficult or nuanced cases, some from the Buddhist tradition itself.", "topics": [ "regret", "right action", "Gunaratana, Henepola", "Tatz, Mark" ], "suttas": [ "SN 45.8" ] }, { "id": "vjYeXuIR3Lc", "title": "Practicing Buddhist Right Speech: Pervasive, Wise, and Difficult", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjYeXuIR3Lc", "date": "2024-08-12", "description": "How can we practice Right Speech in Buddhism? We'll consider the four aspects of Right Speech as well as several important nuances suggested by the Buddha's own example that we should consider when putting them into practice in our daily lives. We will also consider their importance in online discourse.", "topics": [ "right speech", "suttas/early texts", "technology", "Gunaratana, Henepola" ], "suttas": [ "SN 45.8", "MN 58" ] }, { "id": "jtnGy7Y3JgE", "title": "Practicing Buddhist Right Intention: Touching Base with What's Skillful", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtnGy7Y3JgE", "date": "2024-08-05", "description": "What is Right Intention in Buddhism, and how can we put it into practice? We'll look at the three traditional aspects of Right Intention, and consider practices that relate to them.", "topics": [ "right intention", "skillful/unskillful action", "Gunaratana, Henepola" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "aYM3RatBOXs", "title": "Practicing Buddhist Right View: Beginning at the Deep End", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYM3RatBOXs", "date": "2024-07-29", "description": "What is Right View in early Buddhism, and how can we practice it in line with the Eightfold Path? We'll consider various aspects of both mundane and supramundane right view, and how we can practice with them.", "topics": [ "eightfold path", "views/ditthi", "Gunaratana, Henepola" ], "suttas": [ "MN 22", "MN 61" ] }, { "id": "u7T1Q-ezQVM", "title": "How I Got Into Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7T1Q-ezQVM", "date": "2024-07-22", "description": "How did I get into Buddhism? I'll discuss my first experiences with material from the dharma and how it developed in my life.", "topics": [ "personal reflection", "Hofstadter, Douglas" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "klmdb-taLog", "title": "Is there a \"Buddhist Bible\"? Key Buddhist Texts", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klmdb-taLog", "date": "2024-07-15", "description": "Is there a \"Buddhist Bible\"? We'll consider some key Buddhist texts, by analogy with the Old and New Testaments. What are they, and how do they relate to one another? NB: This is not intended to be an exhaustive list! For example, I only barely touched the surface of the Mahāyāna Sūtras. For more examples and discussion, see (e.g.): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahayana_sutras", "topics": [ "Mahayana", "rhetoric/debate", "Muller, Max", "Nagarjuna" ], "suttas": [ "DN 1", "DN 16", "MN 10", "MN 22", "SN 56.11", "SN 22.59", "SN 35.28", "AN 3.65", "Lotus Sūtra", "Heart Sūtra", "Mūlamadhyamakakārikā" ] }, { "id": "p7PonXcVIK4", "title": "Obsessions, Compulsions: Mental Proliferation in Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7PonXcVIK4", "date": "2024-07-08", "description": "What does early Buddhism have to tell us about our everyday obsessions and compulsions? We'll look at the centrality of such syndromes in Buddhist dharma, particularly around the idea of \"papañca\" or \"mental proliferation\". Note that I will not be discussing OCD as such, though there is a link below to a NIMH article about OCD for those who are interested.", "topics": [ "mental proliferation/papanca" ], "suttas": [ "Snp 4.11", "Snp 4.14", "MN 18", "SN 35.95", "Ud 1.10" ] }, { "id": "9wc9LW31hFA", "title": "Buddha Nature", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wc9LW31hFA", "date": "2024-07-01", "description": "What is Buddha nature or the \"Tathāgatagarbha\"? We'll begin by looking at the roots for these concepts in the early Buddhist texts. Then we'll turn to the origins of the mature concepts in later Mahāyāna texts. Finally we'll turn to some controversies and disagreements over what such concepts might really mean.", "topics": [ "Mahayana", "nature/environment", "Zimmerman, Michael", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "AN 1.51-60", "AN 1.41-50", "SN 22.87", "DN 27" ] }, { "id": "6KmCDVT9KzE", "title": "The Golden Rule in Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KmCDVT9KzE", "date": "2024-06-24", "description": "The Golden Rule plays a key role in early Buddhist ethics. I'll show where we find it, as well as how the Buddha seems to have derived it from a principle of psychology. I'll also consider the question of why the rule is expressed negatively in early Buddhism.", "topics": [ "science and Buddhism", "sila/ethics", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "SN 3.8", "SN 55.7", "Snp 3.11", "Dhp 129" ] }, { "id": "J7tVt-bXVBs", "title": "The \"Paternalism\" of Skillful Means in Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7tVt-bXVBs", "date": "2024-06-17", "description": "The idea of \"skillful means\" plays a central role in much Buddhist dharma. We'll consider one of its most famous early examples and why one scholar considered it a \"paternalistic\" concept. We'll also look at its role in reinterpreting the dharma in a revolutionary way. Finally we'll consider the dangers of superiority conceit in Buddhist practice.", "topics": [ "fame", "pride/conceit", "skillful means/upaya", "skillful/unskillful action", "Analayo", "Federman, Asaf" ], "suttas": [ "Iti 25", "AN 2.21-31", "DN 9", "Lotus Sūtra" ] }, { "id": "8JGugBIQEh0", "title": "Discovering the Four Phases of \"Skillful Means\" in Buddhism: Dilemmas and Controversies", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JGugBIQEh0", "date": "2024-06-10", "description": "\"Skillful means\" is a key concept in Mahayana Buddhist dharma. Scholar Damien Keown has identified four phases in its development, taking us from early Buddhism towards more controversial claims about practice, including deception and even killing.", "topics": [ "Mahayana", "skillful means/upaya", "skillful/unskillful action", "Tatz, Mark", "Federman, Asaf" ], "suttas": [ "Iti 25", "AN 2.21-31", "DN 9", "Lotus Sūtra", "Vimalakīrti Nirdeśa" ] }, { "id": "ZIyykKhN1Pk", "title": "Unveiling \"Skillful Means\" in Buddhism: Early Developments", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIyykKhN1Pk", "date": "2024-06-03", "description": "What is \"skillful means\" in Buddhism, particularly in early Buddhism? We'll look at its usage in the early texts, in particular in one odd text where it seems the Buddha recommends a practice of sense desire, and then turn to its more famous usage in the Mahayana Lotus Sutra.", "topics": [ "Mahayana", "fame", "skillful means/upaya", "skillful/unskillful action", "suttas/early texts", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "AN 6.79", "DN 33", "Snp 2.8", "Thag 2.19", "Ud 3.2", "MN 22", "MN 38", "Lotus Sūtra" ] }, { "id": "gO5TdxnCXiA", "title": "Consciousness Does Not Arise Alone in Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gO5TdxnCXiA", "date": "2024-05-27", "description": "We will look at consciousness in early Buddhism: how does it arise? Can it arise alone? We will consider these questions with reference to several texts from early Buddhism.", "topics": [ "consciousness", "loneliness/solitude", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "MN 148", "DN 15", "SN 12.1", "SN 12.38", "SN 22.53", "SN 22.54", "SN 22.55" ] }, { "id": "Wd2EkuulRlQ", "title": "How Does Buddhism Help Us Accept Mortality?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd2EkuulRlQ", "date": "2024-05-20", "description": "One aim of Buddhism is to help us accept our mortality and so come to terms with death. We'll look at how his mortality was the Buddha's concern when he began his search, how coming to terms with mortality functions in various forms of deep meditation practice, and even how it plays a central role in mindfulness. Finally we will compare such practices to the concept of \"exposure therapy\" found in contemporary psychology.", "topics": [ "death/mortality", "meditation", "mindfulness", "science and Buddhism", "therapy/psychology", "Piya Tan", "Wynne, Alexander" ], "suttas": [ "MN 26", "SN 45.8", "MN 39", "MN 50", "MN 10", "AN 10.72" ] }, { "id": "QmQq9VrTyMU", "title": "Is Enlightenment Possible?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmQq9VrTyMU", "date": "2024-05-13", "description": "Is Enlightenment possible in Buddhism or other similar paths? I'll first consider what enlightenment is, then turn to what it would mean to attain it. Finally I'll look at what kind of evidence we have about its attainment.", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening" ], "suttas": [ "MN 21" ] }, { "id": "wYDPJuFGaaw", "title": "What Is Buddhist Nirvana?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYDPJuFGaaw", "date": "2024-05-06", "description": "What does nirvana mean in Buddhism? We'll look at some descriptions of it before turning to different views on its ontological status. Then we'll consider some later developments in ideas about nirvana. ** Note: the Pāli term \"appatiṭṭha\" in Ud. 8.1 likely parallels the Sanskrit \"apratiṣṭha\" rather than \"apratiṣṭhita\". Does this make any difference? Research leaves me unsure, though doubtful. If you have answers feel free to post them!", "topics": [ "nirvana/nibbana", "views/ditthi", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "AN 3.55", "Ud 8.1", "Iti 44", "SN 45.7", "MN 72", "SN 38.1", "SN 39.1", "SN 35.28", "SN 43.12", "SN 43.14-43", "Dhp 197", "AN 9.34", "DN 1", "MN 64", "SN 12.51" ] }, { "id": "39lf1XBISJA", "title": "What is Buddhist Enlightenment?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39lf1XBISJA", "date": "2024-04-29", "description": "What is Buddhist enlightenment or awakening? I'll look at three early suttas for indications of different pictures of the knowledge and results gained through enlightenment. Then I'll turn to how the picture of such knowledge and results changed in later Buddhist traditions.", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening", "epistemology", "suttas/early texts", "Piya Tan", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "MN 26", "MN 36", "SN 22.58" ] }, { "id": "25FFUpZEGsw", "title": "How Good Intentions Can Lead to Misery: Lessons from a Buddhist Sutta", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25FFUpZEGsw", "date": "2024-04-22", "description": "A Buddhist sutta urges us all to check in with our successes and failures. I'll look at how this advice pertained to the Buddha's evil cousin Devadatta, as well as how it might pertain to contemporary cryptocurrency kingpin Sam Bankman-Fried. We'll see how even good intentions can go awry if we aren't mindful.", "topics": [ "suttas/early texts", "Faux, Zeke", "Sujato, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [ "AN 8.7", "AN 8.8", "AN 8.5" ] }, { "id": "IJKeytMo2tA", "title": "Meditations on Failure: a Buddhist Practice", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJKeytMo2tA", "date": "2024-04-15", "description": "I've failed. Many times. I'll look at some of those failures, and how we can work with failure in our lives. Failure can be frustrating and painful, but it can also be a help to us.", "topics": [ "progress", "meditation", "work/livelihood" ], "suttas": [ "AN 8.7", "AN 8.8" ] }, { "id": "jrGpGZTlXAk", "title": "The Philosopher \"Genius\" and the Buddha", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrGpGZTlXAk", "date": "2024-04-08", "description": "Derek Parfit was one of the greatest philosophers of recent decades, and yet most people have never heard of him. His remarkable views on personal identity explicitly followed those of the Buddha. I'll look at Parfit's life as well as some similarities and differences between his world-view and the Buddha's.", "topics": [ "philosophy", "self/identity", "views/ditthi", "Parfit, Derek", "Collins, Steven" ], "suttas": [ "DN 1" ] }, { "id": "Dk_6TPmE1A8", "title": "\"Daughters of the Buddha\": Stories of Ancient Buddhist Women", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dk_6TPmE1A8", "date": "2024-04-01", "description": "Scholar Bhikkhu Anālayo's book on ancient Buddhist women in India was released a few months ago. I'll review it and then turn to five important and illustrative stories that Anālayo tells, including one that is of particular relevance nowadays. To donate to Buddhist nuns, please check out the Alliance for Bhikkhunis at https://bhikkhuni.net/", "topics": [ "sangha/community", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "SN 5.9", "SN 5.10", "MN 44", "SN 10.9", "SN 10.10", "SN 10.11" ] }, { "id": "gPlb0e7NEyk", "title": "Why Buddhism?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPlb0e7NEyk", "date": "2024-03-25", "description": "Why Buddhism? I'll discuss a couple of quick reasons why we might want to consider adopting a Buddhist outlook and Buddhist practice into our lives.", "topics": [ "Buddhism (early)" ], "suttas": [ "SN 45.48", "MN 24" ] }, { "id": "VBDMHirAqo0", "title": "Effort and Non Effort in Buddhist Practice", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBDMHirAqo0", "date": "2024-03-18", "description": "\"Right effort\" is part of the Eightfold Path of Buddhist practice. It's also said that there is no effort to be made, and that non-effort is the appropriate way to approach practice. What's going on here, and can we reconcile these ideas?", "topics": [ "eightfold path", "right effort" ], "suttas": [ "MN 26", "AN 2.1-10", "MN 32", "AN 10.51" ] }, { "id": "chwC-DDjTco", "title": "Discovering the Path of Right Effort: Buddha's Surprising Recommendation to Preserve", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chwC-DDjTco", "date": "2024-03-11", "description": "Right Effort in Buddhist practice has four aspects. The fourth aspect is that of \"preservation\", and it has some shocking aspects. What does it mean, and how can we practice with it?", "topics": [ "right effort", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "AN 4.14", "SN 45.8", "AN 6.55", "DN 33", "MN 10", "SN 3.25", "Ud 5.2" ] }, { "id": "_6exCY7LIZA", "title": "Discovering the Path of Right Effort: Developing Towards Enlightenment", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6exCY7LIZA", "date": "2024-03-04", "description": "Right Effort in Buddhist practice has four aspects. The third aspect is known as \"development\". What is this effort to develop, and how can we practice with it?", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening", "right effort" ], "suttas": [ "AN 4.14" ] }, { "id": "kS8-tV0FxcQ", "title": "Discovering the Path of Right Effort: the Power of Giving Up", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS8-tV0FxcQ", "date": "2024-02-26", "description": "Right Effort in Buddhist practice has four aspects. The second aspect is that of \"giving up\". What does this mean and how can we put it into practice?", "topics": [ "generosity/dana", "renunciation", "right effort", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "AN 4.14" ] }, { "id": "e8PhRhkeB9I", "title": "Discovering the Path of Right Effort: Restraint for Inner Peace", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8PhRhkeB9I", "date": "2024-02-19", "description": "Right Effort in Buddhist practice has four aspects. The first of these is the effort to restrain. What does that mean, and how can we work with it?", "topics": [ "right effort", "work/livelihood", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "AN 4.69", "AN 4.14", "DN 33", "AN 6.50", "AN 6.55" ] }, { "id": "ayvaVnH74vw", "title": "One Buddhist Meditation Master's Thought Technique to Reduce Stress", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayvaVnH74vw", "date": "2024-02-12", "description": "Beliefs, views, opinions, and preferences are stressful. We can work to alleviate them with a mental technique suggested by the Thai meditation master Ajahn Chah.", "topics": [ "meditation", "views/ditthi", "work/livelihood", "Ajahn Chah" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "N4jz4SOEHP0", "title": "Did the Buddha Get Angry?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4jz4SOEHP0", "date": "2024-02-05", "description": "Was anger recommended by the Buddha as potentially beneficial? Did the Buddha himself ever get angry? In early Buddhism we learn of the unskillfulness of hatred, but is anger in the same category? We will consider these questions in this video.", "topics": [ "anger" ], "suttas": [ "MN 38", "MN 58", "MN 95", "MN 47", "AN 4.84", "AN 4.44", "Iti 12", "AN 2.180-229", "Dhp 221" ] }, { "id": "FEmZZRgT0C0", "title": "The Mysterious Buddhist Tale of \"Venerable Empty Scripture\"", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEmZZRgT0C0", "date": "2024-01-29", "description": "Who was \"Tuccho Poṭhila\" or \"Venerable Empty Scripture\"? We'll start with a story by the Thai Buddhist meditation master Ajahn Chah, and take a dive into the story's background and potential origins. It contains lessons for how we should approach both our own practice and that of others.", "topics": [ "meditation", "Piya Tan", "Ajahn Chah" ], "suttas": [ "Dhp 273", "AN 6.46", "Thag 20.1" ] }, { "id": "l1aKEFQyapM", "title": "\"Incredible, Amazing!\" The Strange Sutta on the Buddha's First Steps", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1aKEFQyapM", "date": "2024-01-22", "description": "The sutta on the \"Incredible and Amazing\" features of the Buddha is the key source for the story of his marvelous birth. It is a strange and problematic sutta for many reasons that we will get into in this video.", "topics": [ "suttas/early texts", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "MN 123" ] }, { "id": "yYMN5fFM22k", "title": "\"All Dharmas Are Not Self\": Have We Got It Wrong?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYMN5fFM22k", "date": "2024-01-15", "description": "\"All dharmas are not self\" is perhaps the deepest wisdom in Buddhism. How should we understand it? We'll look at both a traditional interpretation and a new understanding based on the suttas by monastic scholar Bhikkhu Sujato.", "topics": [ "sangha/community", "suttas/early texts", "wisdom/panna", "Sujato, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [ "Dhp 273", "Vinaya, Parivāra 3", "AN 3.136" ] }, { "id": "Nbr0fNwg6Yo", "title": "Paths to Merit Transfer in Early Buddhism?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nbr0fNwg6Yo", "date": "2024-01-08", "description": "What is the idea of \"the transfer of karmic merit\" in Buddhism? We'll look into that and whether it can be found in the early material. We will also see ways we can make use of it in our practice.", "topics": [ "karma", "Piya Tan", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "MN 35", "AN 7.53", "Snp 5.6", "Ud 8.6", "DN 16", "AN 10.177", "AN 5.57" ] }, { "id": "wggBL6Rc1iE", "title": "Collective or Group Karma in Early Buddhism?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wggBL6Rc1iE", "date": "2024-01-01", "description": "What is collective or group karma, and is it found in early Buddhism? We'll consider those questions, whether we might be able to make sense of the concept from a Buddhist perspective, and when and how the concept might prove useful in our practice.", "topics": [ "karma", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "AN 5.57", "Dhp 157", "AN 6.63", "SN 12.17", "SN 12.46", "DN 9" ] }, { "id": "ClPdO5Vib90", "title": "Devas & Nagas in Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClPdO5Vib90", "date": "2023-12-18", "description": "What role did deities and supernatural creatures such as nāgas play in early Buddhist mythology? We'll consider three ways the Buddha used and transformed mythic elements of his day to reinforce the dharma.", "topics": [ "devas/supernatural beings", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "Ud 2.1", "MN 130", "DN 11", "Snp 2.4" ] }, { "id": "18trkWylJFg", "title": "Buddha's Advice On The Dangers Of Affection May Surprise You!", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18trkWylJFg", "date": "2023-12-11", "description": "Affection can be dangerous, this is some of the surprising and even shocking advice the Buddha gives in the early suttas. I'll look at what the Buddha said about some of affection's problematic role in lay and monastic life, as well as its ties to attachment and hatred.", "topics": [ "anger", "attachment/clinging", "sangha/community", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "Snp 1.3", "MN 122", "Snp 1.8", "AN 5.250", "AN 4.200", "Ud 8.8", "Snp 1.2", "SN 1.12" ] }, { "id": "lWIMBs13k3Y", "title": "How To Be A Good Friend: Early Buddhist Teachings On Friendship", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWIMBs13k3Y", "date": "2023-12-04", "description": "Friendship was very important in early Buddhism. I'll discuss what the Buddha had to say about friendship, as well as some key differences between true and false friends.", "topics": [ "relationships/love" ], "suttas": [ "Dhp 157", "SN 45.2", "Snp 1.3", "AN 7.36", "DN 31" ] }, { "id": "xeihmKj7cxY", "title": "Superiority of Solitude in Early Buddhism: The Rhinoceros Sutta", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeihmKj7cxY", "date": "2023-11-27", "description": "Is solitary practice superior? We will consider that problem through a look at one of the most powerful and enigmatic early Buddhist poems, the sutta on the rhinoceros. What does it tell us, and who composed it?", "topics": [ "loneliness/solitude", "suttas/early texts", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu", "Salomon, Richard" ], "suttas": [ "MN 122" ] }, { "id": "48tEALvzm5w", "title": "Gratitude Practice", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48tEALvzm5w", "date": "2023-11-20", "description": "Gratitude is a wonderful Buddhist practice, healthy and wise. Who are we grateful for? And what did the Buddha have to say about gratitude?", "topics": [ "gratitude" ], "suttas": [ "AN 5.264", "AN 2.119", "AN 2.32", "Snp 2.4" ] }, { "id": "VAnjRdkji_A", "title": "Early Buddhist Theory of Knowledge", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAnjRdkji_A", "date": "2023-11-13", "description": "How do we come to know anything, by the lights of early Buddhist dharma? We will look at this key philosophical problem, illuminated by words from one key sutta, and a more recent, deep work of 20th century commentarial analysis.", "topics": [ "epistemology", "philosophy", "suttas/early texts", "work/livelihood" ], "suttas": [ "AN 3.65", "MN 95", "AN 4.193", "MN 76", "MN 12", "MN 26", "DN 1", "MN 56" ] }, { "id": "zaqtcP7CrxA", "title": "Mindfulness: Wholesome or Not?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaqtcP7CrxA", "date": "2023-11-06", "description": "Is mindfulness universally wholesome, or not? I'll look at two different viewpoints, one from the Theravāda abhidhamma, and another from a recent monastic scholar.", "topics": [ "Theravada", "abhidhamma", "mindfulness", "sangha/community", "skillful/unskillful action", "Analayo", "Olendzki, Andrew" ], "suttas": [ "MN 108", "MN 10" ] }, { "id": "rZQIZbj_SjI", "title": "The Surprising Vagueness of Our Self: Unveiling the Mysteries of Consciousness #buddhistphilosophy", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZQIZbj_SjI", "date": "2023-11-01", "description": "From my video Buddhism, Science, and the Surprising Vagueness of the Self -- https://youtu.be/PFmF9zuRp2A", "topics": [ "consciousness" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "Ax7XBJ8HkBQ", "title": "A Hidden Assumption in Buddhist Abhidhamma? The Doctrine of Seriality", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax7XBJ8HkBQ", "date": "2023-10-30", "description": "Is there a hidden assumption in the Buddhist abhidhamma understanding of the mind? I'll look at what I'll term the \"doctrine of seriality\", that the mind operates sequentially. What does this mean, and why might it be a problem?", "topics": [ "abhidhamma", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [ "SN 35.247", "MN 74", "DN 15" ] }, { "id": "dESKdTy0M0Y", "title": "The Profound Vagueness of Personal Identity: Unveiling the Nature of the Self #buddhistphilosophy", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dESKdTy0M0Y", "date": "2023-10-29", "description": "From my video Buddhism, Science, and the Surprising Vagueness of the Self -- https://youtu.be/PFmF9zuRp2A", "topics": [ "nature/environment", "self/identity" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "FpYuY3Rouak", "title": "Discovering Freedom: Understanding Buddhist Philosophy of Mind #buddhistphilosophy #shorts", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpYuY3Rouak", "date": "2023-10-28", "description": "From my video Early Buddhist Philosophy of Mind -- https://youtu.be/hfJ77v7bt8o", "topics": [ "philosophy" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "EbIyAk2KwVk", "title": "Unlocking the Power of Thoughts: The Buddha's Journey to Enlightenment #buddhistphilosophy #shorts", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbIyAk2KwVk", "date": "2023-10-27", "description": "From my video Early Buddhist Philosophy of Mind -- https://youtu.be/hfJ77v7bt8o", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening", "philosophy" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "Q3ozIl1bjxg", "title": "Buddhist Practice for Difficult Times", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3ozIl1bjxg", "date": "2023-10-23", "description": "With war, terrorism, and inhumanity seemingly in the news every day now how are we to respond appropriately? We will look to key Buddhist practices as well as thoughts from the Buddha and Bhikkhu Sujato for a route forward.", "topics": [ "war/violence/nonviolence", "Sujato, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "wAdalN_se68", "title": "This Buddhist Image Hides a Secret", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAdalN_se68", "date": "2023-10-16", "description": "Have we misunderstood the Buddha's earth-touching gesture? I'll look at how the narratives surrounding the image hold a different way to see it, and how it all fits into the early, contested history of Buddhist iconography.", "topics": [ "art" ], "suttas": [ "MN 149" ] }, { "id": "JHwzX77JTXc", "title": "Origins of the Buddhist Earth Touching Gesture", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHwzX77JTXc", "date": "2023-10-09", "description": "One of the most well-known images of the Buddha shows him touching the earth at the time of his enlightenment. Yet no mention is made of such a gesture in the early texts. Where, when, and why did it arise?", "topics": [ "art", "Mahayana", "enlightenment/awakening", "suttas/early texts", "time/momentariness", "Spagnoli, Maria" ], "suttas": [ "MN 62" ] }, { "id": "lRXQnI2uDlw", "title": "Have We Found the Buddha's Bones? Two New York Exhibitions", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRXQnI2uDlw", "date": "2023-10-02", "description": "A recent essay by John Guy, Chief Curator of South Asian Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NY suggests we might have found the Buddha's relics. I'll consider a current exhibit at the Met and an essay by Guy discussing excavations at Piprahwa in India and the precious relics discovered there. (Note that the bones themselves are not in the exhibit).", "topics": [ "relics/archaeology", "Guy, John" ], "suttas": [ "DN 16" ] }, { "id": "RG3VjmMe6tY", "title": "Tree & Serpent: New Exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG3VjmMe6tY", "date": "2023-09-25", "description": "Buddhist art largely began in the south. That's the thesis of a show on now through mid-November, 2023 at the Metropolitan Museum in NY. I visited the show recently and will discuss some highlights of the exhibit as well as what they tell us about early Buddhism.", "topics": [ "art" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "PFmF9zuRp2A", "title": "Buddhism, Science, and the Surprising Vagueness of the Self", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFmF9zuRp2A", "date": "2023-09-18", "description": "The Buddha taught that the self was conventional, impermanent, and ever changing. We will look to contemporary medicine, science, and philosophy to find how those conclusions are not only supported, but deepened in surprising and even shocking ways.", "topics": [ "impermanence" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "bP1ZWvmJQOw", "title": "Buddhist Rebirth as Symbol and Metaphor", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bP1ZWvmJQOw", "date": "2023-09-11", "description": "How do you approach the concept of Buddhist rebirth? Traditionally it's understood literally, which is how the Buddha saw it. But there is another option open to us, which is to take it as a resonant metaphor for the changeable nature of life.", "topics": [ "nature/environment", "rebirth", "Analayo", "Fronsdal, Gil", "Ambedkar, B.R." ], "suttas": [ "MN 60", "MN 135", "AN 8.40", "AN 3.65", "AN 4.77", "MN 2" ] }, { "id": "QRZiq06qO28", "title": "Early Buddhist Ethics", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRZiq06qO28", "date": "2023-09-04", "description": "Early Buddhism was an ethical system first and foremost. But what was it? What ethical system did the Buddha propose? We will look at the ethics of early Buddhism with a focus on his advice to a general lay audience as well as the role of karma and intention. We will also consider the meta-ethical question of how or whether early Buddhist ethics is grounded or foundationalized.", "topics": [ "karma", "sila/ethics" ], "suttas": [ "AN 6.63" ] }, { "id": "mSRp6WHGdjk", "title": "Origins of the Buddhist Doctrine of Momentariness", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSRp6WHGdjk", "date": "2023-08-28", "description": "We may have heard discussion of \"mind moments\" in Buddhism and how things last for only a moment and then are replaced. Did such ideas originate from the Buddha? We will look at their history, and what the Buddha had to say about time and change.", "topics": [ "rhetoric/debate", "time/momentariness", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu", "von Rospatt, Alexander", "Sujato, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [ "AN 1.41-50", "SN 12.61", "MN 14" ] }, { "id": "7s5mhtxBpwU", "title": "What is Buddhism's End Goal?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s5mhtxBpwU", "date": "2023-08-21", "description": "What is Buddhism's end goal, and what then happens to humanity?", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening" ], "suttas": [ "MN 72" ] }, { "id": "hfJ77v7bt8o", "title": "Early Buddhist Philosophy of Mind", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfJ77v7bt8o", "date": "2023-08-14", "description": "What was the philosophy of mind in early Buddhism? I'll look at several different aspects of the Buddha's analysis of the mind, including a couple of topics that are important in a Western philosophical context but that the Buddha didn't discuss.", "topics": [ "philosophy" ], "suttas": [ "DN 2", "MN 19" ] }, { "id": "I9I7FCuzzFw", "title": "Is There a Hidden Link Between Memory and Mindfulness Practice?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9I7FCuzzFw", "date": "2023-08-07", "description": "The word for \"mindfulness\" in Pāli literally means \"memory\". Does memory play a role in mindfulness practice? Or is memory unimportant? I'll look at a recent debate between two scholars of the early material, Bryan Levman and Bhikkhu Anālayo.", "topics": [ "mindfulness", "rhetoric/debate", "Analayo", "Jayatilleke, K.N." ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "Lnz1OLUOUaQ", "title": "Early Buddhist Metaphysics", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lnz1OLUOUaQ", "date": "2023-07-31", "description": "What did the Buddha have to say about key metaphysical topics such as what exists and how it is structured? I'll discuss this most basic aspect of philosophy and how the Buddha's views fit into some contemporary discussions of topics such as realism and non-realism.", "topics": [ "philosophy", "views/ditthi" ], "suttas": [ "SN 22.94" ] }, { "id": "kZ0TLrB1Jys", "title": "Seeing What Isn't There: Four Kinds of Buddhist Misperception", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ0TLrB1Jys", "date": "2023-07-24", "description": "The Buddha discusses four ways that perception can mislead us. We'll begin by considering how perception works in Buddhism then turn to these four ways it can mislead. Finally we'll turn to four ways perception can get things right, and some suggestions for practice.", "topics": [ "perception" ], "suttas": [ "MN 18", "AN 4.49" ] }, { "id": "C_4QJ0dyLGw", "title": "How Does Perception Work in Buddhism?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_4QJ0dyLGw", "date": "2023-07-17", "description": "How does perception work in Buddhism? We'll look at why it's important and how it functions, as well as how it produces dukkha or suffering. I'll also suggest how we can integrate perceptions into our practice.", "topics": [ "perception", "suffering/dukkha", "work/livelihood", "Dalai Lama" ], "suttas": [ "AN 6.63", "MN 18" ] }, { "id": "UloCmEs2Mqk", "title": "The Paradox of Ownership in Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UloCmEs2Mqk", "date": "2023-07-10", "description": "There's a paradox of ownership in early Buddhist dharma. I'll consider that paradox, and why we should try to avoid looking at the world in terms of possession and ownership.", "topics": [ "attachment/clinging", "Ajahn Chah" ], "suttas": [ "SN 22.17", "SN 4.20", "AN 10.171", "MN 13" ] }, { "id": "PuUGgiYhI4E", "title": "Emptiness and the Skillful Self in Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuUGgiYhI4E", "date": "2023-07-03", "description": "Buddhist notions of non-self open up possibilities for reforming who we are in more skillful ways. Those are the heart of Buddhist practice. But how does it work?", "topics": [ "emptiness", "non-self/anatta", "skillful/unskillful action", "work/livelihood", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "SN 44.10", "MN 19" ] }, { "id": "F5cXWCpF1Ko", "title": "Lay Meditation in Early Buddhism: Innovation or Revival?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5cXWCpF1Ko", "date": "2023-06-26", "description": "Did laypeople practice meditation in the Buddha's day? We'll look to a recent paper by Anālayo to answer the question of whether lay meditation is a recent innovation in Buddhist practice, or a revival of something that went on in early days.", "topics": [ "Buddha (historical)", "meditation", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "MN 73", "AN 3.65", "MN 97", "SN 55.54", "MN 51", "SN 47.29", "SN 47.30" ] }, { "id": "PFyr3QBnnVY", "title": "AI Chat and Meditation | Understanding Internal Dialogue", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFyr3QBnnVY", "date": "2023-06-19", "description": "Can our understanding of AI chat technology help our meditation practice? I'll answer a viewer question on dealing with internal dialogue by first delving into how large language model AI works, and how its structure may help us to understand ourselves better.", "topics": [ "AI/artificial intelligence", "meditation", "technology" ], "suttas": [ "MN 19" ] }, { "id": "bmkpYdLd004", "title": "Co-dependency in Buddhist Practice", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmkpYdLd004", "date": "2023-06-12", "description": "Can Buddhist practices of lovingkindness and compassion reinforce our tendencies towards co-dependency? We will look at what co-dependency is, how it may arise, and how it differs from Buddhist ideals of kindness and compassion among other practices.", "topics": [ "compassion", "metta/loving-kindness" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "W1Pn65QZiZs", "title": "The Problem(s) of Consciousness", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1Pn65QZiZs", "date": "2023-06-05", "description": "What is consciousness? I'll begin by looking at it from an early Buddhist perspective and then turn to work by contemporary philosophers like David Chalmers and Frank Jackson. In particular, I'll consider what Chalmers calls the \"easy\" and \"hard\" problems of consciousness, and what they tell us about what consciousness might be.", "topics": [ "consciousness", "work/livelihood", "Pigliucci, Massimo" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "VWCkhjS1mwU", "title": "Nirvana and Enlightenment: What's the Difference?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWCkhjS1mwU", "date": "2023-05-29", "description": "What's the difference between nirvana and enlightenment? I'll discuss both in this video.", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening", "nirvana/nibbana", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "Dhp 273", "AN 9.34" ] }, { "id": "uqY0InjxIOE", "title": "Cultivating Confidence in Buddhist Practice", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqY0InjxIOE", "date": "2023-05-22", "description": "How can we cultivate confidence or faith in Buddhist practice? This is a question a viewer recently asked me. I'll look at an early sutta where Sāriputta has some helpful suggestions.", "topics": [ "faith/saddha", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "SN 55.5" ] }, { "id": "RsOs6DHKhPo", "title": "Mindfulness for Computers? Buddhist Practice and the AI \"Alignment Problem\"", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsOs6DHKhPo", "date": "2023-05-15", "description": "Can training in mindfulness help AI to align its values more wisely? I'll look at how honesty requires self-awareness, and how mindfulness can help. I'll also consider how AI systems might use internal feedback loops to monitor their own apparent mental states and learn from them, based on a recent research paper.", "topics": [ "AI/artificial intelligence", "Analayo", "mindfulness" ], "suttas": [ "MN 10", "MN 19" ] }, { "id": "AIeGdk-adII", "title": "Buddhism and the AI \"Alignment Problem\"", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIeGdk-adII", "date": "2023-05-08", "description": "Can Buddhist dharma help align AI values with our own? I'll explain how Buddhism provides a model of ethical wisdom training, and why knowledge of it might be helpful to AI researchers.", "topics": [ "AI/artificial intelligence", "epistemology", "sila/ethics", "wisdom/panna" ], "suttas": [ "MN 65", "MN 70" ] }, { "id": "1ezkdQfbsQs", "title": "The Dalai Lama Controversy", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ezkdQfbsQs", "date": "2023-05-01", "description": "Recently cringey excerpts from a video were released of the Dalai Lama's interaction with a young boy at a public event. I'll consider the background to that video and suggest five conclusions we might want to take from this episode. ** NOTE: although it is mentioned in Joshua Shelton's article, I forgot to point out in the video that the Dalai Lama has apologized for the incident. https://www.dalailama.com/news/2023/statement-by-his-holiness-the-dalai-lama", "topics": [ "Vajrayana", "Dalai Lama", "Kornfield, Jack", "Shelton, Joshua" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "Z80ARDHHrkk", "title": "Humility and Skepticism in Buddhist Practice: Problems with the Cankī Sutta", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z80ARDHHrkk", "date": "2023-04-24", "description": "What is the goal of Buddhist practice? Does it have to do with knowing certain things directly? We'll look at the Cankī Sutta's advice for gaining direct knowledge and some problems with it. Then we'll consider some possible remedies, including a reframing of the goal of practice.", "topics": [ "epistemology", "suttas/early texts", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "MN 95" ] }, { "id": "pe2-Wg7T3Hs", "title": "Spiritual Humility in Early Buddhism: Lessons from the Cankī Sutta", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pe2-Wg7T3Hs", "date": "2023-04-17", "description": "One early Buddhist sutta recounts a discussion the Buddha had with a young brahmin. The Buddha raises a number of important points about how we come to believe we have knowledge, particularly of spiritual matters. We will look at that sutta and consider what it might tell us about spiritual humility and coming to know.", "topics": [ "epistemology", "rhetoric/debate", "spirituality", "suttas/early texts", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "MN 95" ] }, { "id": "bPtuwBgalEU", "title": "Is AI (ChatGPT, etc.) Sentient? A Perspective from Early Buddhist Psychology", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPtuwBgalEU", "date": "2023-04-10", "description": "Is AI sentient? Could it be made sentient? I'll consider those questions from the perspective of early Buddhist psychology. First I'll consider some claims about why current AI chatbots are clearly not sentient and then I'll turn to using some categories from early Buddhist psychology to help illuminate the issue. Finally I'll turn to some intriguing evidence from a recent paper.", "topics": [ "AI/artificial intelligence", "science and Buddhism" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "EyzNHJfKFCY", "title": "Four Kinds of Karma", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyzNHJfKFCY", "date": "2023-04-03", "description": "The Buddha talks of four kinds of karma. I'll go through each of them and what the Buddha says about each. We'll see that the fourth and final one is quite strange and surprising, and may hold a key to how we can understand our practice better.", "topics": [ "karma" ], "suttas": [ "MN 57", "AN 4.236", "AN 4.237", "AN 4.238", "AN 6.63" ] }, { "id": "HmAuLuxZTNM", "title": "Artificial Intelligence (AI) Buddha?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmAuLuxZTNM", "date": "2023-03-27", "description": "A recent article claims researchers have created an artificially intelligent Buddha app for your smartphone. We'll consider what this means, and turn to the deeper question. Is an enlightened AI a possibility? If so, how? (Note: this episode was recorded before the release of GPT-4).", "topics": [ "AI/artificial intelligence", "enlightenment/awakening", "letting go", "technology" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "hp0zpOYkqMI", "title": "Artificial Intelligence (Chat-GPT) and Buddhist Non-Self", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hp0zpOYkqMI", "date": "2023-03-20", "description": "What does artificial intelligence have to tell us about the central Buddhist teaching of non-self? We'll delve into some of the recent advances in AI, focusing in particular on the chat programs ChatGPT (GPT-3 -- recorded before the release of GPT-4) and LaMDA. Then we'll turn to the Buddhist notion of non-self. Finally we'll look at what one of these artificially intelligent programs had to say about the relationship between Buddhist non-self and AI.", "topics": [ "AI/artificial intelligence", "letting go", "non-self/anatta", "relationships/love", "technology" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "ttMCe-Nhan0", "title": "The Buddha's Answer on Wanting to Stay With Your Spouse ... Even Into the Next Life", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttMCe-Nhan0", "date": "2023-03-13", "description": "A loving couple asked the Buddha how they could remain together, even into their next life. We'll consider the Buddha's answer to this question and what it tells us about his pragmatism.", "topics": [ "pragmatism", "rebirth", "relationships/love" ], "suttas": [ "AN 4.55" ] }, { "id": "4QKUnH4nI7w", "title": "The Strange Case of the Dog and Cow Duty Ascetics in Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QKUnH4nI7w", "date": "2023-03-06", "description": "So-called dog- and cow-duty ascetics approached the Buddha to ask him about their practices. We will look at the sutta in which this occurs and at what the Buddha had to say to them.", "topics": [ "duty/obligation", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "MN 57", "MN 19" ] }, { "id": "42FJNimAEPw", "title": "Non-self and the \"I\" in Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42FJNimAEPw", "date": "2023-02-27", "description": "We can approach the conundrum of non-self in early Buddhism through conceptual and non-conceptual means. We will look at how the two approaches differ, and a few ways the Buddha highlighted the difference.", "topics": [ "non-self/anatta", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [ "SN 22.17", "SN 22.89" ] }, { "id": "LghPqiLKac0", "title": "Figuring Out the Buddhist Path: the Five Higher Fetters", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LghPqiLKac0", "date": "2023-02-20", "description": "The five higher fetters are five deep ways our mental processes bind us to the world of dukkha and suffering. They are a companion and addition to the five lower fetters discussed in an earlier video. We will discuss each of them and how they work.", "topics": [ "suffering/dukkha", "work/livelihood" ], "suttas": [ "SN 45.180" ] }, { "id": "dK9dNhGZOcM", "title": "How to Make Early Progress in Buddhist Practice: the Five Lower Fetters", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK9dNhGZOcM", "date": "2023-02-13", "description": "The five lower fetters are five ways our habits of mind keep us bound to suffering. We will look at each of them and their characteristics, as well as certain characteristics of the first three fetters that makes them more basic than the latter two.", "topics": [ "progress", "suffering/dukkha" ], "suttas": [ "SN 45.179" ] }, { "id": "gzc0k-F705k", "title": "The Rebuild is (Mostly) Done!", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzc0k-F705k", "date": "2023-02-06", "description": "It's been almost a year now since our house fire, but the saga is coming to a close. I'm back in my office now making new videos! In this video I'll discuss a bit about what's happened, as well as making some recommendations in case you find yourself putting together a house. Then I'll turn to an early sutta for some inspiration.", "topics": [ "personal reflection", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "SN 12.65" ] }, { "id": "FIWQ2EQqjZk", "title": "Buddhism: \"If There Is No Self, How Can There Be Self Love?\"", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIWQ2EQqjZk", "date": "2023-01-30", "description": "A question from one of my viewers. In addition to the fraught question of \"no self\" in early Buddhism, I'll consider some of the pros and cons of self-love (or of what passes for it, at any rate). We'll look at a couple of early suttas and a passage from the great Buddhist scholar and exegete Buddhaghosa.", "topics": [ "non-self/anatta", "relationships/love", "self/identity", "suttas/early texts", "Piya Tan", "Dalai Lama" ], "suttas": [ "SN 3.4", "SN 3.8" ] }, { "id": "e6OG6vZFWjE", "title": "Power of Influence: Buddha and Plato On Rhetoric", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6OG6vZFWjE", "date": "2023-01-23", "description": "What are the dangers in the arts of persuasion? We'll look to two great thinkers to decide. First we'll look to Plato, who inveighed against rhetoric in his dialogues. Then we'll turn to the Buddha, who had similar concerns with the ways that many of us find confidence in our teachers.", "topics": [ "rhetoric/debate" ], "suttas": [ "AN 4.65" ] }, { "id": "vGDiPPm5L6E", "title": "Buddha on Organized Religion", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGDiPPm5L6E", "date": "2023-01-16", "description": "Why did the Buddha's teachings become an organized religion? Was it a good thing that they did? I'll consider what an organized religion is, some of its drawbacks and benefits, and then turn to an account from the early suttas of what the Buddha had to say about the development of his dharma.", "topics": [ "religion", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "MN 65" ] }, { "id": "c5cRwCPu2rQ", "title": "A Strange Verse in the Most Famous Buddhist Book", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5cRwCPu2rQ", "date": "2023-01-09", "description": "There's a very strange verse in the Dhammapada, one that's been understood for over a millennium to have a variety of readings that don't come across well in translation. We'll look at the verse and consider why it's been so tough to translate, as well as what it might really mean.", "topics": [ "Dhammapada", "fame", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "Dhp 90", "SN 48.44", "SN 41.8" ] }, { "id": "muWBbX5sSew", "title": "The Buddha on Investigating Our Teachers: Should Only Enlightened People Teach Dharma?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muWBbX5sSew", "date": "2023-01-02", "description": "The Buddha believed that teachers should not be followed on faith, but rather that they required investigation. I'll look at one key sutta where the Buddha outlines such an investigation, and discuss how it can be overinterpreted. What does it really mean to investigate our teacher? Which teachers need our investigation and why?", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening", "faith/saddha", "suttas/early texts", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "MN 47", "MN 53", "AN 1.248-257", "SN 41" ] }, { "id": "Vah2307CxHQ", "title": "Key Buddhist Dharma: the Six Sense Bases", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vah2307CxHQ", "date": "2022-12-26", "description": "What are the six sense bases of Buddhism and why are they important? We'll look at both of those questions in this video, investigating how the sense bases relate to such things as consciousness, dependent origination, and indeed the whole world.", "topics": [ "conditionality", "consciousness", "dependent origination" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "W8xM0G77Xvg", "title": "The Buddha on Food and Eating", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8xM0G77Xvg", "date": "2022-12-19", "description": "What did the Buddha have to say about food and eating? I'll discuss his one important teaching on the matter, as well as look at some controversies on the topic with his monastics. Then I'll turn to some advice he had for a prominent layperson, and finally we'll consider some of the Buddha's approach to vegetarianism.", "topics": [ "food/eating", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "MN 65", "MN 70", "SN 3.13" ] }, { "id": "IFSBmUKeGCY", "title": "Buddha and Fame: a Cautionary Tale", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFSBmUKeGCY", "date": "2022-12-12", "description": "The Buddha was one of the most famous people who ever lived. What did he think of his own fame? How did he react to it? Therein lies a lesson!", "topics": [ "fame" ], "suttas": [ "AN 5.30", "AN 8.86", "AN 6.42", "SN 6.1", "SN 17.31", "SN 17.36", "MN 29", "SN 17.30" ] }, { "id": "MCraeWrkRk4", "title": "Buddha's Surprising Views on Old Age", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCraeWrkRk4", "date": "2022-12-05", "description": "What was the Buddha's experience with old age? We will begin by looking at the role aging plays in the Buddha's dharma, and then turn to a few early suttas to gain insight into what the Buddha's later years were like. We will see some surprises that even seem to have confounded his later commentators.", "topics": [ "death/mortality", "suttas/early texts", "views/ditthi" ], "suttas": [ "SN 56.11", "AN 3.39", "SN 48.41", "DN 33", "MN 53", "SN 47.9", "DN 16" ] }, { "id": "h7NNKxcD37U", "title": "Mindfulness of Absence: Buddhist Meditation Practice", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7NNKxcD37U", "date": "2022-11-28", "description": "Mindfulness is ordinarily a practice of awareness of what is present to us, right now. But one aspect of such meditation involves being mindful of things that are not present. We will look at this aspect with reference to early suttas and a recent essay by Bhikkhu Anālayo.", "topics": [ "meditation", "mindfulness", "suttas/early texts", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "Ud 1.10", "MN 20", "MN 10" ] }, { "id": "TTN599k2UBI", "title": "Dealing with Noise: One Buddhist Meditation Master's Solution", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTN599k2UBI", "date": "2022-11-21", "description": "Thai meditation master Ajahn Chah had a very simple reframing of the problem of noise that may be helpful to us in dealing with any number of difficult or annoying situations. I'll discuss his advice.", "topics": [ "meditation", "Ajahn Chah" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "xaon86UCG7I", "title": "Did the Buddha Quit?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaon86UCG7I", "date": "2022-11-14", "description": "Did you know the Buddha may have quit the sangha? I'll look at one early sutta and discuss what happened, and why it seems as though the Buddha was on the verge of permanent retirement. I'll also consider a couple of other interesting aspects of this sutta's narrative.", "topics": [ "sangha/community", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "MN 67", "Ud 3.3", "SN 6.1" ] }, { "id": "xjlBobj0iSA", "title": "Buddhism: \"If There Is No Self, What Is Reborn?\"", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjlBobj0iSA", "date": "2022-11-07", "description": "\"If there's no self, what is reborn?\" It's confusing how to understand the traditional notion of rebirth in early Buddhism. In this video I'll look at both parts of the question: is there \"no self\" in Buddhism? What sort of \"self\" is there? And on a traditional understanding, what is reborn? Finally I'll turn to some of my own thoughts on the matter.", "topics": [ "non-self/anatta", "rebirth", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "MN 93", "DN 15", "MN 38" ] }, { "id": "RqkEeVaH_ZA", "title": "Did the Buddha Only Teach Suffering and Its Cessation?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqkEeVaH_ZA", "date": "2022-10-31", "description": "It's often understood that the Buddha claimed only to teach about suffering (dukkha) and its cessation. But is this really so? We'll consider a recent paper by scholar and translator Bhikkhu Bodhi, and how to better understand the Buddha's teaching.", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening", "suffering/dukkha", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [ "MN 22", "SN 22.86", "SN 44.2", "AN 5.41" ] }, { "id": "ZE4es3zgmOk", "title": "Buddhism and Loneliness", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE4es3zgmOk", "date": "2022-10-24", "description": "We'll look at what the Buddha had to say about solitude and living an uncrowded life, and then turn to how the Buddha's advice can help us to reframe the problem of loneliness. Then we'll turn to two major problems associated with loneliness and how we can look to Buddhist practice and elsewhere to help overcome them.", "topics": [ "loneliness/solitude", "Dalai Lama" ], "suttas": [ "MN 122", "AN 8.53", "SN 45.2", "Thag 18.1", "Snp 1.3" ] }, { "id": "JXkzLrGMCF8", "title": "\"Devotion vs. Cultishness\" in Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXkzLrGMCF8", "date": "2022-10-17", "description": "Considering the differences between devotional guru practices and \"cultishness,\" discussed in a video interview with B. Allan Wallace, an expert on Tibetan Buddhism. What are some of the dangers with our relationship to a teacher or guru, and how does early Buddhist practice reflect upon them?", "topics": [ "Vajrayana", "relationships/love" ], "suttas": [ "Dhp 273", "DN 16" ] }, { "id": "8QrvYUIEMV8", "title": "The Hierarchy of Pleasures in Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QrvYUIEMV8", "date": "2022-10-10", "description": "What role did pleasure have to play in the Buddha's teaching? We'll look at the hierarchy of pleasures that the Buddha described, some of its paradoxes, and where it might lead us to understand the dharma better.", "topics": [ "pleasure", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "MN 59", "MN 66", "AN 9.34", "SN 35.28", "MN 13", "MN 36", "SN 45.8", "Dhp 197" ] }, { "id": "kV0bo_YDOb0", "title": "Is Pleasure the Way to the Good Life? (Epicurus, JS Mill, and the Buddha)", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kV0bo_YDOb0", "date": "2022-10-03", "description": "A little comparison today: we'll look at two philosophers from the European tradition, Epicurus and JS Mill, and their idea that ethics and the good life stemmed from a life of maximal pleasure and minimal pain. We'll also compare these views to some ideas found in early Buddhism.", "topics": [ "pleasure", "sila/ethics", "views/ditthi", "Gibbs, Benjamin", "Mill, J.S.", "Epicurus" ], "suttas": [ "MN 22", "SN 22.86" ] }, { "id": "jtySQwj5pAM", "title": "Is Meditation \"Doing Nothing\"?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtySQwj5pAM", "date": "2022-09-26", "description": "Sometimes we may hear that meditation is just \"doing nothing,\" or that it's \"just sitting\". We'll consider that approach to practice, whom it may be particularly suited for, and what the Buddha had to say about meditation practice generally.", "topics": [ "meditation" ], "suttas": [ "SN 46.51", "SN 46.53", "AN 11.2" ] }, { "id": "z5LdGd6t8ZU", "title": "Buddha on the Proper Use of Wealth", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5LdGd6t8ZU", "date": "2022-09-19", "description": "How should we, and most particularly the wealthy among us, approach wealth? We will look at what the Buddha had to say about a couple of successful financiers during his day, and consider the best use of wealth from the Buddha's standpoint.", "topics": [ "wealth/money" ], "suttas": [ "SN 3.19", "SN 3.20" ] }, { "id": "vrNCQfCX6rA", "title": "Buddhism in Brief: Eight Key Aspects of the Buddha's Teaching", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrNCQfCX6rA", "date": "2022-09-12", "description": "It's not the Eightfold Path, this is another approach the Buddha provided for how to understand his approach to practice and to life. What should we focus on? What should we leave aside? Here are eight answers from an early sutta.", "topics": [ "eightfold path", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "AN 8.53", "SN 3.19", "SN 3.20" ] }, { "id": "8kUJ9UBFtzo", "title": "Appreciating Nature in Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kUJ9UBFtzo", "date": "2022-09-05", "description": "What did the early Buddhists have to say about appreciating nature? It's a bit of a conundrum. We'll look at what a couple of venerable monks had to say about the beauty of the natural world. Then we'll turn to the Buddha's views on such pleasures generally. Finally we'll turn to some ways of understanding nature appreciation that reconcile the difficulties.", "topics": [ "nature/environment", "sangha/community", "views/ditthi" ], "suttas": [ "Thag 18.1", "MN 32", "MN 13", "SN 35.239" ] }, { "id": "moGPUNfO8no", "title": "Do All Religions Lead to the Same Goal?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moGPUNfO8no", "date": "2022-08-29", "description": "Do all systems of spiritual practice lead to the same place? Are they all essentially identical? This is a view that's come to be known as \"perennial philosophy\" or \"universalism\". I'll consider what the Buddha had to say about such things, as well as some of the benefits and drawbacks of such a claim. At the end I'll turn to how I think we should understand this sort of perennialism.", "topics": [ "philosophy", "personal reflection", "spirituality", "views/ditthi", "Goldstein, Joseph" ], "suttas": [ "MN 13", "AN 10.27", "SN 46.52", "SN 46.53", "SN 46.54" ] }, { "id": "Kvc54HnFyTw", "title": "Asking Questions of Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kvc54HnFyTw", "date": "2022-08-22", "description": "Buddhist practice is all about learning how we cling to things, views, and ideas. In this video I want to ask a number of questions for you to contemplate, about some of the heart of Buddhist belief and practice. What if it isn't so? Would that change anything? We'll also consider what the Buddha had to say about forms of knowledge.", "topics": [ "epistemology", "views/ditthi" ], "suttas": [ "AN 3.65" ] }, { "id": "_d68Ue059gg", "title": "Should You Live in City or Country? Buddha's Answer", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d68Ue059gg", "date": "2022-08-15", "description": "What sort of lifestyle is best for dharma practice? The Buddha had a bit to say about the differences between living in the village versus living in the wilderness of the forest or countryside. We'll look at some of what he had to say, and how it fit into one prominent early meditation practice.", "topics": [ "meditation" ], "suttas": [ "AN 6.42", "AN 8.86", "MN 4", "MN 121", "AN 10.99", "MN 17" ] }, { "id": "n12x4qJnSw0", "title": "Buddha on Practicing for Worldly Benefit", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n12x4qJnSw0", "date": "2022-08-08", "description": "A viewer of mine wondered recently about practicing in order to gain worldly benefits. What did the Buddha have to say about such things? We'll look at a few suttas for answers.", "topics": [ "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "DN 16", "DN 33", "AN 4.55" ] }, { "id": "BmLHCJGp9ao", "title": "How Was the Buddha Down-to-Earth? Demythologizing Prayer, Deities, and Devotion", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmLHCJGp9ao", "date": "2022-08-01", "description": "How was the Buddha a down-to-earth, pragmatic teacher? In this second video on the subject (the first is linked below) we'll look at some of the ways the Buddha demythologized many deity practices of his day, as well as his skepticism towards prayer and devotional practices. We'll also turn to a few caveats at the end.", "topics": [ "devas/supernatural beings", "pragmatism", "prayer", "Lopez, Donald" ], "suttas": [ "AN 5.43", "SN 42.6", "DN 24", "DN 11", "DN 31", "AN 4.190", "DN 13", "MN 2", "MN 9", "MN 11", "MN 64", "MN 2", "MN 72", "AN 4.77", "AN 5.48" ] }, { "id": "_MKlOZ0agQU", "title": "How Was the Buddha Down-to-Earth? His Approach to Ritual", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MKlOZ0agQU", "date": "2022-07-25", "description": "How was the Buddha a down-to-earth, pragmatic teacher? We will look at his views on some of the most important ritual practices of his day, and how he was skeptical of them.", "topics": [ "pragmatism", "ritual/ceremony", "views/ditthi", "Lopez, Donald" ], "suttas": [ "SN 7.21", "MN 40", "MN 7", "Ud 1.9", "Thig 12.1", "SN 7.1", "Thag 5.6", "SN 3.9", "DN 5", "Snp 2.7", "AN 7.47", "DN 31", "MN 40" ] }, { "id": "q5nHLz1xoSU", "title": "Is the Two Truths Doctrine a Problem for Early Buddhism?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5nHLz1xoSU", "date": "2022-07-18", "description": "I'll look at a recent paper by Bhikkhu Sujato, and its claim that the Buddhist doctrine of \"two truths\" deprecates the Buddha's own teachings. What is the doctrine, and why might he think so?", "topics": [ "Mahayana", "two truths doctrine", "Sujato, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [ "SN 22.59" ] }, { "id": "g_NyprMpa_U", "title": "The Buddhist Nun Who Taught a Brahmin a Lesson", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_NyprMpa_U", "date": "2022-07-11", "description": "To begin I'll discuss how the Buddha was skeptical of certain brahminic ritual practices such as river bathing. Then I'll turn to the interesting story of an early Buddhist nun from a lowly background who gave a pointed lesson to a brahmin.", "topics": [ "ritual/ceremony", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "SN 7.21", "MN 40", "MN 7", "Ud 1.9", "DN 31", "Thig 12.1" ] }, { "id": "BERkwLcIo7M", "title": "Is Everything Karma in Early Buddhism?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BERkwLcIo7M", "date": "2022-07-04", "description": "Is everything we experience due to our karma? I'll look at what the Buddha had to say in several early texts to find out his thoughts.", "topics": [ "karma", "suttas/early texts", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "SN 36.21", "AN 3.61", "MN 101", "SN 7.13", "AN 6.63" ] }, { "id": "FuXWQLDAWww", "title": "What Was Buddhism Called in the Buddha's Day?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuXWQLDAWww", "date": "2022-06-27", "description": "Was there a word for \"Buddhism\" in the Buddha's day, or was Buddhism somehow different or special in having no such term? We'll look at how Buddhism was both similar and different from its cultural competitors and how it did indeed have a name, even in the Buddha's day.", "topics": [ "Buddha (historical)" ], "suttas": [ "MN 86", "Thag 16.8" ] }, { "id": "15MvPKrqcUM", "title": "Nirvana \"Here and Now\": What Did it Mean in Early Buddhism?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15MvPKrqcUM", "date": "2022-06-22", "description": "What does it mean to experience nirvana here and now, in this very life? The Buddha was asked this question in several early suttas and had answers. I'll go over a couple of those suttas and outline the interesting things he had to say.", "topics": [ "nirvana/nibbana", "suttas/early texts", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "AN 3.55", "AN 9.51", "SN 35.70" ] }, { "id": "UYRabG0lGOc", "title": "Early Buddhism's Spirit of Inquiry: Bhikkhu Sujato's Point", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYRabG0lGOc", "date": "2022-06-13", "description": "One of the highlights of the early Buddhist teachings is their relative openness to investigation and inquiry. This is a point made in a recent paper by scholar and monastic Bhikkhu Sujato. I'll discuss the point with reference to a few early suttas, as well as mentioning some caveats.", "topics": [ "sangha/community", "suttas/early texts", "Sujato, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [ "SN 35.70", "AN 3.54", "AN 3.65" ] }, { "id": "71kL5EOH9l8", "title": "Have We Overlooked Several Hindrances to Buddhist Meditation?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71kL5EOH9l8", "date": "2022-06-06", "description": "According to one early sutta, there are many more than the traditional five hindrances to meditation. We'll look at that sutta, where the Buddha recounts his own difficulties with achieving deep meditative states and describes his struggle with these hindrances. It's an odd sutta, and we'll also consider what that might mean.", "topics": [ "hindrances", "meditation", "suttas/early texts", "Piya Tan", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "MN 128" ] }, { "id": "kOFA_-xO0jw", "title": "What's Going on at the House?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOFA_-xO0jw", "date": "2022-06-02", "description": "Here's an update on the state of our house after the interior demo that followed our recent house fire. I'll discuss our plans!", "topics": [ "personal reflection" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "pJ4ekG0F8HM", "title": "The Strange Early Buddhist Sutta on the Impermanence of Elements", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ4ekG0F8HM", "date": "2022-05-30", "description": "Contemplating the impermanence of the elements helps us to understand their non-self nature. In one early Buddhist sutta, Sāriputta gives an argument as to how the four elements are impermanent. But it's a strange sutta, full of equivocation and odd claims. Nevertheless as we'll see its basic message is clear as day.", "topics": [ "impermanence", "nature/environment", "non-self/anatta", "rhetoric/debate", "suttas/early texts", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "MN 28", "AN 7.66", "AN 6.41" ] }, { "id": "K41Nl6Jynso", "title": "Learn Calm: an Elements Practice from Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K41Nl6Jynso", "date": "2022-05-23", "description": "An early Buddhist practice with the four elements leads us to equanimity and calm with the ups and downs of life. We'll look at that practice in this video with reference to a few early texts.", "topics": [ "equanimity", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "MN 62", "AN 9.11", "MN 28" ] }, { "id": "k8YudW4JURM", "title": "Learn Not to Take it Personally: a Non-Self Elements Practice in Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8YudW4JURM", "date": "2022-05-16", "description": "One of the key practices in early Buddhism that often gets overlooked is a practice with the four elements leading to an experiential understanding of non-self. I'll look at that practice with reference to several early texts.", "topics": [ "non-self/anatta", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "MN 10", "AN 6.41", "MN 140", "MN 62", "AN 4.177", "AN 9.11", "MN 28" ] }, { "id": "7onLA10NFok", "title": "The Elements in Early Buddhism: Cross-Cultural History", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7onLA10NFok", "date": "2022-05-09", "description": "The elements play a key role in early Buddhist meditation practice, but the idea of them didn't originate with the Buddha. I'll look at the history of the elements with a focus on their role in ancient Greek philosophy as well as other systems of thought. Then I'll turn to the elements understood scientifically, and how that reveals the proper way we should consider them in a Buddhist context. Recorded before our house fire. See: https://youtu.be/fODi8WOmhbQ", "topics": [ "meditation", "personal reflection" ], "suttas": [ "MN 140" ] }, { "id": "yLK17L0Sp18", "title": "Lessons and Practices from the Fire", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLK17L0Sp18", "date": "2022-05-02", "description": "I'll outline three lessons learned from the fire, worldly wise things that helped out in a time of need, as well as two practices that I've found useful. I'll also consider a couple of key early Buddhist suttas.", "topics": [ "personal reflection", "suttas/early texts", "time/momentariness" ], "suttas": [ "MN 13", "DN 31" ] }, { "id": "dhTULnK8BWo", "title": "Buddha's Fire Sermon and ... Our House Fire", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhTULnK8BWo", "date": "2022-04-25", "description": "We had a house fire a few weeks ago. I'll begin by looking at the Buddha's famous Fire Sermon, traditionally understood to be his third public discourse, and then turn to what happened to us during that long night. I'll also have a nice announcement, long overdue!", "topics": [ "fame", "personal reflection", "suttas/early texts", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "SN 35.28", "SN 35.23" ] }, { "id": "vI7CwsEtmTY", "title": "\"Buddha Before Buddhism\": Considering Gil Fronsdal's Title and Translation", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vI7CwsEtmTY", "date": "2022-04-21", "description": "In this video we'll take a look at the idea of finding a \"Buddha Before Buddhism,\" an idea suggested by a recent translation of the Chapter of the Eights (Aṭṭhakavagga) by Gil Fronsdal. I'll talk a bit about his book, then we'll turn to the question of why the Chapter of the Eights is considered early, then consider a claim that the text provides a markedly different form of the dharma than the one we're familiar with. Recorded before our house fire. See: https://youtu.be/fODi8WOmhbQ", "topics": [ "personal reflection", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu", "Fronsdal, Gil", "Sujato, Bhikkhu", "Jones, Dhivan Thomas" ], "suttas": [ "Snp 4.11", "MN 26", "MN 22", "Snp 4 (Aṭṭhakavagga)" ] }, { "id": "xM7q0Pu6ei8", "title": "How to Practice Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xM7q0Pu6ei8", "date": "2022-04-18", "description": "How do people practice Buddhism? I'll look at some of the more popular contemporary Buddhist practices from around the world. Recorded before our house fire. See: https://youtu.be/fODi8WOmhbQ", "topics": [ "personal reflection" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "P3AxjyAjG30", "title": "Window on the Earliest Buddhism? The Chapter of the Eights", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3AxjyAjG30", "date": "2022-04-14", "description": "What was Buddhism like early on? We'll consider that question when looking at an early text called the Chapter of the Eights or Aṭṭhakavagga. In particular we'll look at its early concept of dependent origination and how it relates to views, opinions, arguments, and disputes. Recorded before our house fire. See: https://youtu.be/fODi8WOmhbQ", "topics": [ "conditionality", "dependent origination", "personal reflection", "suttas/early texts", "views/ditthi", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu", "Fronsdal, Gil" ], "suttas": [ "Snp 4.11", "Snp 4 (Aṭṭhakavagga)" ] }, { "id": "TjpBEsrN8HQ", "title": "How to Become a Buddha? The Perfections", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjpBEsrN8HQ", "date": "2022-04-11", "description": "How do you become a Buddha? You work at perfecting several different virtues or \"pāramīs\". I'll give a brief history of the practice and then go through a list of ten of them from the Theravāda tradition. Then we'll look at some similarities between this list and one popular one from the Mahāyāna tradition. Unfortunately there was a small video rendering bug at 28:53 in the video, where a list is slightly out of order. Recorded before our house fire. See: https://youtu.be/fODi8WOmhbQ", "topics": [ "Mahayana", "Theravada", "personal reflection", "work/livelihood", "Sujato, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "S0mO1WgVvig", "title": "The Buddha on \"Magic\"", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0mO1WgVvig", "date": "2022-04-07", "description": "The Buddha had a nuanced view on magic and the supernatural. We'll look at one crucial aspect of that view, corresponding to what we might term \"conversion magic\" or magical means used to convince and convert. Recorded before our house fire. See: https://youtu.be/fODi8WOmhbQ", "topics": [ "devas/supernatural beings", "magic/supernatural", "personal reflection", "views/ditthi" ], "suttas": [ "SN 42.13", "MN 56", "AN 4.193", "AN 3.65", "DN 11", "Vinaya, Khandhaka 15", "DN 2", "DN 1", "MN 49", "MN 22" ] }, { "id": "rQ832y7n1bc", "title": "Differences Between Early Buddhism and Theravada: an Essay By Bhante Sujato", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQ832y7n1bc", "date": "2022-04-04", "description": "There seem to have been differences between Theravāda belief and practice and that found in early Buddhism, however figuring this all out is a matter of some debate and controversy. Translator and scholar Bhikkhu Sujato has written an essay enumerating some key differences he sees. I'll go through six of the more interesting ones. Recorded before our house fire. See: https://youtu.be/fODi8WOmhbQ", "topics": [ "Theravada", "personal reflection", "rhetoric/debate", "Sujato, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "3IyPHiis01I", "title": "What Does \"Tathagata\" Mean?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IyPHiis01I", "date": "2022-03-31", "description": "The Buddha often referred to himself as \"the Tathāgata\". But what does that epithet mean, and where does it come from? I'll look at some scholarly opinions, and then turn to the interesting history of the term. Recorded before our house fire. See: https://youtu.be/fODi8WOmhbQ", "topics": [ "personal reflection", "Buddha (historical)", "Piya Tan", "Gombrich, Richard", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "SN 22.86", "DN 29", "MN 22", "AN 4.23", "AN 6.54" ] }, { "id": "bGjXRoh5j5E", "title": "The Dalai Lama's Confusion Over Self Hatred", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGjXRoh5j5E", "date": "2022-03-28", "description": "When the Dalai Lama first heard of self-hatred, he was confounded by it. I'll look at his encounter with Sharon Salzberg and other eminent scholars and scientists, and consider their thoughts about where low self esteem arises from. I'll then turn to four practices that came up in the Dalai Lama's dialogue to counter self-hatred. Recorded before our house fire. See: https://youtu.be/fODi8WOmhbQ", "topics": [ "Vajrayana", "anger", "personal reflection", "Salzberg, Sharon", "Dalai Lama", "Kornfield, Jack" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "-am31Ee9KBE", "title": "What if there Were a Permanent Self? The Three Pointed Emptiness in Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-am31Ee9KBE", "date": "2022-03-21", "description": "What if there were something permanent and unchanging we could possess? Are there conceptions of a self, or beliefs that we should look to as permanent sources of happiness? We'll look at an early discourse of the Buddha that answers these questions, highlighting a \"three pointed emptiness\". Recorded before our house fire. See: https://youtu.be/fODi8WOmhbQ", "topics": [ "emptiness", "joy/happiness", "personal reflection", "suttas/early texts", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "MN 22" ] }, { "id": "-1-Cd2u1enw", "title": "Getting Back Up After the Fire", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1-Cd2u1enw", "date": "2022-03-10", "description": "I'm in a new office/studio space, and have some updates after the fire. Plus I'll discuss how practice helps me get through it all. Stick around!", "topics": [ "personal reflection" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "8v87h8Txn6Y", "title": "A Few Days After the Fire (Update)", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v87h8Txn6Y", "date": "2022-03-03", "description": "This is a quick update on the fire that recently broke out in my studio/office. It’ll be awhile until we’re back home!", "topics": [ "personal reflection" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "fODi8WOmhbQ", "title": "Gutted by Fire", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fODi8WOmhbQ", "date": "2022-02-22", "description": "I’ll be out of commission for awhile. There was a thing.", "topics": [ "personal reflection" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "HL3PQUt_o1A", "title": "The Buddha on Loving Ourselves: Why Wasn't It Included?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL3PQUt_o1A", "date": "2022-02-17", "description": "In his many discourses on cultivating lovingkindness, the Buddha doesn't touch on any practices directed at self-love. Why might this be? We will look at an early sutta for clues.", "topics": [ "metta/loving-kindness", "relationships/love", "self/identity", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "SN 3.8", "Ud 5.1" ] }, { "id": "ShWqEzSESXo", "title": "Ajahn Brahm's Lovingkindness Practice", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShWqEzSESXo", "date": "2022-02-14", "description": "Popular Buddhist monk Ajahn Brahm recently suggested a new practice to help us foster kindness. I'll look at the history of kindness practice in Buddhism and how Brahm's meditation fits into it. Then I'll go through his practice and discuss what's innovative and interesting in his approach.", "topics": [ "meditation", "metta/loving-kindness", "Ajahn Brahm" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "IbNoSWB7q8k", "title": "Buddha on Anger and Hatred", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbNoSWB7q8k", "date": "2022-02-10", "description": "What did the Buddha have to say about anger and hatred? Did he distinguish between the two, and what should we do about them? We'll look at a few of the key early discourses of the Buddha for answers.", "topics": [ "anger", "suttas/early texts", "Fronsdal, Gil" ], "suttas": [ "AN 9.30", "AN 10.80", "MN 21", "SN 7.2", "SN 11.4", "SN 11.5", "AN 3.132", "Dhp 1", "MN 38" ] }, { "id": "1ugciJGAZ0k", "title": "Discussing Buddhism with My Friend Jon Aaron: a New Podcast!", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ugciJGAZ0k", "date": "2022-02-07", "description": "Exciting news to report! Jon Aaron and I are releasing a new podcast entitled \"Diggin' the Dharma\". Jon is an Insight meditation teacher of mine, and a good friend. In this video we'll introduce ourselves and discuss our first meeting and aims for the podcast to come.", "topics": [ "meditation", "vipassana/insight", "Aaron, Jon" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "FHo9Pj4D5rc", "title": "How Many Jhanas Were There in Early Buddhist Meditation?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHo9Pj4D5rc", "date": "2022-02-03", "description": "Ordinarily it's said that there were four states of jhāna in early Buddhist meditation. But not always! Apart from considering some later understandings of the term that include eight, nine, or even more jhānas, we'll look at one early understanding that saw there to be five. We'll consider this five jhāna progression by looking at a key early sutta, and then consider some possible histories of how this might have developed.", "topics": [ "jhana/absorption", "meditation", "progress", "suttas/early texts", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "MN 128", "SN 43.3", "AN 8.63", "DN 33" ] }, { "id": "V36Jf_E-puU", "title": "The Strange Case of the Formless Meditations in Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V36Jf_E-puU", "date": "2022-01-31", "description": "Early Buddhism presents us with a conundrum around the practice of the formless attainments of deep meditation. Namely, are they skillful routes to nirvana, or are they not? We will look at evidence from the early suttas that indicates both options, as well as suttas that raise questions as to precisely which of the formless attainments may or may not be useful in this regard.", "topics": [ "meditation", "nirvana/nibbana", "skillful/unskillful action", "suttas/early texts", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [ "MN 26", "MN 36", "MN 52", "AN 9.36", "MN 111", "MN 74" ] }, { "id": "EjGnawR8gR0", "title": "The Deepest Meditative Attainment in Early Buddhism?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjGnawR8gR0", "date": "2022-01-27", "description": "We'll look at what may be the deepest meditative attainment in early Buddhism besides nirvana itself. This is known as the state of the cessation of perception and feeling. We'll consider what the state is, how it is supposed to be achieved, and some of its claimed effects. We'll also consider some later texts that discuss who can attain it and for how long.", "topics": [ "meditation", "nirvana/nibbana", "perception", "Ehara, N.R.M.", "Nanamoli, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [ "MN 43", "MN 44", "MN 50" ] }, { "id": "ixqrPU_f7Cw", "title": "The \"Formless Attainments\" of Early Buddhist Meditation", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixqrPU_f7Cw", "date": "2022-01-24", "description": "What are the formless attainments of early Buddhist meditation? We'll look at these deep states of absorption. First we'll look at their history, how the Buddha first encountered them and where they appear to have arisen from, then we'll turn to the practice as outlined in the early texts as well as some later material.", "topics": [ "meditation", "suttas/early texts", "Wynne, Alexander", "Nanamoli, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [ "MN 26", "MN 52", "AN 11.16", "MN 39", "MN 77", "AN 10.29" ] }, { "id": "DWM3KJasUwI", "title": "The Fourth Jhana in Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWM3KJasUwI", "date": "2022-01-20", "description": "We'll look at what the fourth jhana is in early Buddhism by considering its definition and the simile the Buddha provides to illustrate its character. We'll also consider some of the paradoxical nature of the early Buddhist approach to pleasures.", "topics": [ "jhana/absorption", "nature/environment" ], "suttas": [ "SN 45.8", "MN 39", "MN 59" ] }, { "id": "lA8QLaNpZ3I", "title": "The Third Jhana in Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA8QLaNpZ3I", "date": "2022-01-17", "description": "We'll look at what the third jhana is in early Buddhism by considering its definition and the simile the Buddha provides to illustrate its character. We'll also consider some of the controversies over the jhana similes.", "topics": [ "jhana/absorption" ], "suttas": [ "SN 45.8", "MN 39", "AN 10.72" ] }, { "id": "xRS7zlZ9oZY", "title": "The Second Jhana in Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRS7zlZ9oZY", "date": "2022-01-13", "description": "We'll look at what the second jhana is in early Buddhism by considering its definition and the simile provided to illustrate its character.", "topics": [ "jhana/absorption" ], "suttas": [ "SN 45.8", "MN 39", "AN 10.72" ] }, { "id": "GTvYIQ553F8", "title": "The First Jhana in Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTvYIQ553F8", "date": "2022-01-10", "description": "What is the first jhana of early Buddhism? We'll look first at the idea of jhana and its role in the Buddha's search for enlightenment. Then we'll turn to the definition of the first jhana, what its various terms might mean, and finally we'll look at one simile the Buddha used to describe it.", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening", "jhana/absorption" ], "suttas": [ "SN 45.8", "MN 39", "AN 10.72" ] }, { "id": "bJNp-f70__Y", "title": "Leave Enlightenment Aside", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJNp-f70__Y", "date": "2022-01-03", "description": "The topic of Buddhist enlightenment fascinates many of us, but it can also get in the way of our practice. I'll discuss that in this video, and also what really matters most.", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "f1K05kL5gFg", "title": "The Perils of Openheartedness", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1K05kL5gFg", "date": "2021-12-27", "description": "Openheartedness is one of the qualities fostered in Buddhist practice. I'll look at some of its apparent downsides that lead some of us to have trouble opening up our hearts, using an article from Tricycle Magazine by the Tibetan teacher Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche. He discusses the Tibetan Buddhist notion of \"tsewa\" that roughly correlates with metta or lovingkindness.", "topics": [ "metta/loving-kindness", "Ajahn Brahm" ], "suttas": [ "SN 22.101" ] }, { "id": "s7-GUwDiQCk", "title": "Why Be Kind?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7-GUwDiQCk", "date": "2021-12-20", "description": "The Buddha recommended we practice certain wholesome states of mind, such as kindness, compassion, and sympathetic joy. Many of us find this work difficult. Why should we foster such emotions? I'll give some pointers by looking at what happens when we reject them.", "topics": [ "compassion", "joy/happiness", "skillful/unskillful action", "work/livelihood" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "ZtsOrOFx9nM", "title": "Do Buddhists Believe in \"Sin\"?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtsOrOFx9nM", "date": "2021-12-13", "description": "Many people are attracted to Buddhism because it seems not to involve such notions as sin. I'll look at what sin means in the Western tradition, with an excursion into the first few Biblical Commandments. Then I'll turn to Buddhism and how its approach to ethics differs.", "topics": [ "sila/ethics", "sin (concept of)" ], "suttas": [ "MN 7" ] }, { "id": "kkpeRUExUGQ", "title": "What Does Buddhism Mean to You?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkpeRUExUGQ", "date": "2021-12-09", "description": "What does Buddhism \"mean\"? I'll describe five aspects of what it means to me, with the help of one 1950's paper by a Burmese monastic scholar, and hope you'll let us know what Buddhism means to you as well in the comments!", "topics": [ "sangha/community" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "M28cyYMYqk0", "title": "A Couple of Thoughts on \"Who was the Buddha\" by @ReligionForBreakfast", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M28cyYMYqk0", "date": "2021-12-06", "description": "The engaging and popular YouTube channel @ReligionForBreakfast has put out a number of videos on Buddhism recently. Their video on \"Who was the Buddha?\" is a good intro to the topic that raised questions around the idea of a historical Buddha, and the evidence we might consider in uncovering such history. These questions also help illustrate a distressing trend in the recent academic study of Buddhism.", "topics": [ "Buddha (historical)", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "AN 3.39", "MN 4", "MN 19", "DN 14", "MN 123", "MN 26", "MN 36", "MN 53", "DN 16" ] }, { "id": "Vtt9q1V-kAo", "title": "The Buddha's Creation Story: Myth as History and Inspiration", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vtt9q1V-kAo", "date": "2021-11-29", "description": "Should we look at ancient stories and myths historically, or as inspirational literature? I'll look at both options through the lens of the Aggañña Sutta, a famous, early Buddhist creation myth.", "topics": [ "fame", "suttas/early texts", "Piya Tan", "Gombrich, Richard", "Sujato, Bhikkhu", "Collins, Steven" ], "suttas": [ "DN 27" ] }, { "id": "MhoqLioMz1o", "title": "Gratitude: Integrating it Into Your Life", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhoqLioMz1o", "date": "2021-11-22", "description": "Gratitude is such an important emotion to cultivate. I'll discuss some of the benefits of gratitude, as well as some things I'm grateful for. I'll sketch out the difference between profound and mundane gratitude and why both are important. (And why the mundane is profound in its own way). Throughout I'll be offering ways to integrate a gratitude practice into your life.", "topics": [ "gratitude", "Kornfield, Jack" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "ECI_3ytgxcQ", "title": "The Early History of the Bodhisattva Ideal", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECI_3ytgxcQ", "date": "2021-11-18", "description": "How did the ideal of the Bodhisattva develop in Buddhism? We'll sketch out the history using a couple of recent scholarly papers as guides. We'll see that \"Bodhisattva\" meant something quite different in early Buddhism than it eventually came to signify.", "topics": [ "Mahayana", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu", "Analayo", "Ehrman, Bart" ], "suttas": [ "MN 26", "MN 123", "DN 14", "SN 56.11", "SN 12.65" ] }, { "id": "bs1XtNrNXpM", "title": "What is a Bodhisattva?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs1XtNrNXpM", "date": "2021-11-15", "description": "What is a Bodhisattva? We'll answer that question, looking at such things as the Bodhisattva Vows, the aim of the Bodhisattva path, and differing views on what one needs to do to become a Bodhisattva.", "topics": [ "Mahayana", "views/ditthi" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "y2shMnIN6UY", "title": "Finding Ourselves in Our Appearance vs. Our Accomplishments", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2shMnIN6UY", "date": "2021-11-11", "description": "When we think about who we really are, often we will identify ourselves with our appearance. That's easy to see through, as one commenter on a video of mine recently noted. But we also identify ourselves with our accomplishments, or our preferences or views. What did the Buddha have to say about all this? I'll look at some of his practical suggestions, and suggest a practice as well.", "topics": [ "views/ditthi" ], "suttas": [ "SN 12.17", "AN 11.11" ] }, { "id": "TWM8vvj3DZ8", "title": "A Real Self in Early Buddhism? The Potthapada Sutta", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWM8vvj3DZ8", "date": "2021-11-08", "description": "Did the Buddha ever suggest there was a way to find a real sort of self? We'll look to the Poṭṭhapāda Sutta for an answer to this question. There we will see an interesting dialogue where the Buddha delves into a discussion of personal continuity over time, and a notion of our \"acquired self\". An incisive simile makes the Buddha's surprising conclusion clear.", "topics": [ "rhetoric/debate", "suttas/early texts", "time/momentariness", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "DN 9" ] }, { "id": "ZWBDstrkgoo", "title": "Nirvana in a Few Words: the Buddha's Enigmatic Instruction to Bahiya", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWBDstrkgoo", "date": "2021-11-04", "description": "Is it possible to reach enlightenment with a few words? This is what we find in the story of the Buddha's enigmatic instructions to the wanderer Bāhiya. We'll look at those instructions and then turn elsewhere in the early canon to find an elaboration of what those instructions might really mean.", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening", "nirvana/nibbana", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "Ud 1.10", "SN 35.95", "Thag 16.5" ] }, { "id": "qD5dQa4xqag", "title": "Can Practicing Kindness Bring Us to Nirvana? One Professor's Controversial Claim", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qD5dQa4xqag", "date": "2021-11-01", "description": "Several years ago the eminent scholar and professor Richard Gombrich put forward a controversial thesis: that the Buddha believed practicing kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity could lead us directly to enlightenment. We will take a look at Gombrich's arguments for this thesis, and then turn to counterarguments. After that, we'll consider Gombrich's response to the counterarguments.", "topics": [ "compassion", "enlightenment/awakening", "equanimity", "joy/happiness", "nirvana/nibbana", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu", "Gombrich, Richard", "Analayo", "Gethin, Rupert" ], "suttas": [ "DN 13", "SN 4.23", "AN 5.149", "AN 5.150", "AN 4.178", "MN 52", "DN 17", "MN 97", "SN 46.54" ] }, { "id": "Ev4OHQOtvl4", "title": "The Buddha's Argument for Non-self Through Impermanence: It's Strange!", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev4OHQOtvl4", "date": "2021-10-28", "description": "The second argument the Buddha uses in his Second Sermon on non-self involves impermanence. I'll look at his argument there and why it seems rather odd to our ears. I'll consider one potential subtext for the Buddha's argument, and what it might show us about the historical context of the sutta.", "topics": [ "impermanence", "non-self/anatta", "rhetoric/debate", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "SN 22.59", "MN 148" ] }, { "id": "Ro0BV84dci4", "title": "A Hidden Meaning Behind the Buddha's Second Sermon on Non-self", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ro0BV84dci4", "date": "2021-10-25", "description": "The Buddha's Second Sermon presents his first public argument for non-self. But it's an odd sermon, one that seems to leave out material that should be there. Why is this so? In this video I'll consider the first part of the sermon, what may have been its early context, and what it might originally have been trying to tell us.", "topics": [ "non-self/anatta", "rhetoric/debate", "Olivelle, Patrick" ], "suttas": [ "SN 22.59" ] }, { "id": "9oT04eft43o", "title": "Can You Practice Buddhism by Studying It? A New Paper By Analayo", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oT04eft43o", "date": "2021-10-21", "description": "Is there an important difference between study and practice in early Buddhism? We'll look to one recent article by Bhikkhu Anālayo for help in answering this question. He investigates one apparent mistake in oral transmission of a sentence in one early sutta that may have made a difference in how some interpret theoretical versus practical engagement with the dharma.", "topics": [ "suttas/early texts", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "DN 33", "MN 10", "Ud 1.10" ] }, { "id": "14ghdkSddK8", "title": "What does \"Buddha\" Mean: A Live Controversy! Anālayo's Response", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14ghdkSddK8", "date": "2021-10-18", "description": "There is a controversy over the meaning of \"Buddha\": two of the leading monastic scholars and translators don't agree. A few weeks ago I posted a video on Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi's idea that \"enlightenment\" translates \"bodhi\" and \"the Enlightened One\" translates \"Buddha\". In this video I discuss Ven. Bhikkhu Anālayo's opposing view that \"awakening\" translates \"bodhi\" and \"the Awakened One\" translates \"Buddha\". This difference of opinions should help us get more of an idea about what the words mean and why translation is so difficult and important!", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening", "sangha/community", "views/ditthi" ], "suttas": [ "SN 12.65", "AN 8.11" ] }, { "id": "pbmmLgR1EeQ", "title": "Did the Buddha Say \"Life is Suffering\"?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbmmLgR1EeQ", "date": "2021-10-14", "description": "Oftentimes you will hear that the Buddha did say \"Life is suffering,\" but it's not so. Nevertheless there is some truth to the misconception, and we'll look into the more nuanced point the Buddha made about life.", "topics": [ "suffering/dukkha" ], "suttas": [ "SN 56.11" ] }, { "id": "t6dt_I_n_UE", "title": "Kali and Vedehika: the Buddha's Cautionary Tale of Privilege", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6dt_I_n_UE", "date": "2021-10-11", "description": "What is the story of Kāḷī and Vedehikā? We'll consider this early tale from the Buddha and how it relates to our own delusions of perfection, as well as how it helps illuminate some of the pitfalls of privilege and injustice.", "topics": [ "social justice" ], "suttas": [ "MN 21" ] }, { "id": "4uKuogq4ZGc", "title": "Is Buddhism Nihilistic? One Philosopher's Critique", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uKuogq4ZGc", "date": "2021-10-07", "description": "Is Buddhism nihilistic? We'll consider whether an early Buddhist argument for non-self implies there is \"no anything\", by looking at a short online critique by philosopher Rick Repetti.", "topics": [ "non-self/anatta", "philosophy", "rhetoric/debate", "technology", "Nhat Hanh, Thich" ], "suttas": [ "SN 5.10", "SN 22.94" ] }, { "id": "XGRnGrPrjAc", "title": "The Buddha's 'Wisest Female Disciple': Bhikkhuni Khema", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGRnGrPrjAc", "date": "2021-10-04", "description": "We'll look at the life of Bhikkhunī Khemā, whom the Buddha called his wisest female disciple, using a sutta about her, a poem she wrote, and later material from the Theravāda commentaries. These will help illustrate her incisive approach to the dharma. **NB: sometimes in the video I refer to Khemā as “Bhikkhunī” even before she was ordained. This is a slip of the tongue!", "topics": [ "Theravada", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "AN 1.235-247", "SN 44.1", "SN 22.36", "Thig 6.3" ] }, { "id": "BaUs5KasLbs", "title": "Buddhism's Non-self: How Do You Know? Looking at a Critique", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaUs5KasLbs", "date": "2021-09-30", "description": "How do we come to know the truth of non-self in early Buddhism? Do we come to it through deep meditative insight, or by other means? We'll look at a recent critique of the claim that we come to know non-self through deep meditative insight.", "topics": [ "meditation", "non-self/anatta" ], "suttas": [ "SN 22.59", "DN 2", "MN 52", "MN 64" ] }, { "id": "6aPKfk9JITM", "title": "Finding Our Good Fortune in Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aPKfk9JITM", "date": "2021-09-27", "description": "How do we find good fortune in our daily lives? I've written a book on answers from early Buddhism, which is just out! I'll discuss the origins of the book in a retreat by scholar and translator Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi: his kindness has made the book much stronger. Then I'll turn to how the Buddha discusses the roots of good fortune in proper practice.", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [ "Snp 2.4" ] }, { "id": "7hTUM_iKVmU", "title": "Early Buddhist Pragmatism: The Simile of the Handful of Leaves", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hTUM_iKVmU", "date": "2021-09-20", "description": "What is the early Buddhist simile of the handful of leaves? We'll look at it and consider what it means. We'll then see how it expresses one aspect of the early teaching, but also may conflict with other aspects of that teaching.", "topics": [ "pragmatism" ], "suttas": [ "SN 56.31" ] }, { "id": "HW49oCGYJ1E", "title": "Why Do We Count the Breaths in Meditation? Early Buddhist Origins", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW49oCGYJ1E", "date": "2021-09-13", "description": "For many of us, meditation involves a practice of counting the breaths. But it wasn't originally practiced that way. We'll look at the development of the practice of counting the breaths through some of its earliest written descriptions. Then we'll consider why the practice may have originated.", "topics": [ "meditation", "Analayo", "Bapat, P.V." ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "1E79pU6GzNs", "title": "A Poem That Isn’t: Buddhist Mindfulness and Rumi's \"Guest House\"", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1E79pU6GzNs", "date": "2021-09-06", "description": "The Persian poet Rumi is credited with a poem called \"The Guest House\" that's often used in the context of Buddhist mindfulness practice. We'll look at that poem and why it isn't really by Rumi. We'll then look at Rumi's original poetry to find where it comes from. Finally we'll turn to early Buddhism for an oddly similar simile.", "topics": [ "mindfulness" ], "suttas": [ "SN 36.14" ] }, { "id": "z4t-VUhNSkQ", "title": "Meditation: Focus on the Present Moment in Early Buddhist Practice", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4t-VUhNSkQ", "date": "2021-08-30", "description": "Much of Buddhist meditation practice involves a focus on the present moment. We'll look at the history behind such ideas with help from one recent paper by Anālayo that takes a look at mindfulness practices in early Buddhism. Then we'll turn to a look at some other early texts that discuss both the benefits and dangers of a present-focused practice.", "topics": [ "meditation", "mindfulness", "suttas/early texts", "time/momentariness", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu", "Piya Tan", "Analayo", "Fronsdal, Gil", "Tolle, Eckhart" ], "suttas": [ "MN 131", "MN 132", "MN 133", "MN 134", "MN 38" ] }, { "id": "bmwJ7YhgXms", "title": "The Surprising Person Who Taught the Buddha’s Monks: Citta the Householder", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmwJ7YhgXms", "date": "2021-08-23", "description": "We'll look at Citta the Householder. Who was he and what were some interesting events in his life as recounted in the early suttas? We'll see how it was that even laypeople could be accomplished teachers of the dharma during the Buddha's day.", "topics": [ "Buddha (historical)", "sangha/community", "success/achievement", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "AN 1.248-257", "SN 41.2", "SN 41.3", "SN 41.4", "SN 41.8", "SN 41.9", "SN 41.10", "AN 4.176", "SN 17.23" ] }, { "id": "Cf9MbhoDHNQ", "title": "Ananda's Breakthrough: the Buddha's Attendant Learns a Lesson in Non-Self", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cf9MbhoDHNQ", "date": "2021-08-16", "description": "We'll look at the teaching on non-self that cleared up Ānanda's doubts about the Buddhist path of practice.", "topics": [ "non-self/anatta" ], "suttas": [ "SN 22.83" ] }, { "id": "c_R2Y2P1sjI", "title": "What Does \"Buddha\" Mean? A Recent Article May Change Your Mind", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_R2Y2P1sjI", "date": "2021-08-09", "description": "We'll take a look at a recent article by scholar and translator Bhikkhu Bodhi on the meaning of \"Buddha\" and his related realization. Some recent scholars have argued that it should be termed \"awakening\" and Buddha should therefore be understood as \"the Awakened One\". Bhikkhu Bodhi prefers a different option. We'll see why. Note: a recent article by Bhikkhu Anālayo calls Bhikkhu Bodhi's translation of this term into question. I've done a followup video discussing his response here: https://youtu.be/14ghdkSddK8", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu", "Analayo", "Sagan, Carl" ], "suttas": [ "MN 4", "AN 3.53" ] }, { "id": "NoFF8-rA1zE", "title": "Consciousness and the Self: One Early Buddhist Monk's Famous Mistake", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoFF8-rA1zE", "date": "2021-08-02", "description": "Are you your consciousness? We'll look for an answer to this question by considering the famous mistake of Sāti the Fisherman's Son, an early Buddhist monk who was famously corrected by the Buddha. We'll also consider where Sāti might have gotten his view from.", "topics": [ "consciousness", "fame", "views/ditthi", "Olivelle, Patrick" ], "suttas": [ "MN 38", "SN 22.59" ] }, { "id": "t304fy6qZC4", "title": "Should You Pursue an Early Buddhist Path?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t304fy6qZC4", "date": "2021-07-26", "description": "We'll consider a recent viewer comment that raised a number of questions about whether laypeople should really pursue early Buddhist practice, or whether such practice would be too disruptive of their lives and livelihood. To answer these concerns we'll look at the breadth of early Buddhist practice as well as turning to a broader consideration of Buddhist practice generally.", "topics": [ "work/livelihood" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "43v6lLweukg", "title": "Non-Dualism and Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43v6lLweukg", "date": "2021-07-19", "description": "Was early Buddhism non-dualistic? We'll begin by looking at what non-dualism means, then turn to its origins in some pre-Buddhist ideas. Then we'll turn to look at early Buddhism in particular. Last we'll look briefly at some ways non-dualism became important in later Buddhist philosophy.", "topics": [ "Amaro, Ajahn", "Analayo", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu", "Fronsdal, Gil", "Gombrich, Richard", "Mahayana", "non-dualism" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "QgNt_t4xY5c", "title": "How Should We Read Buddhist Texts? Early Advice", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgNt_t4xY5c", "date": "2021-07-12", "description": "Should we read Buddhist texts as philosophical treatises with particular, definite claims? Or should we read them as inspired literature to be enjoyed creatively? We'll look at one early text from the Pāli tradition that gives an answer by comparing two assemblies of monastics. We'll then turn to a couple of caveats.", "topics": [ "philosophy", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "AN 2.42-51" ] }, { "id": "bp4Ta4GKpMQ", "title": "The Murderer Who Became Enlightened: Who was Angulimala?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp4Ta4GKpMQ", "date": "2021-07-05", "description": "Aṅgulimāla was a mass-murdering brigand who was converted by the Buddha into a monk, and who eventually became enlightened. We'll look at the most famous elements of his story and why they are important from an early Buddhist point of view. We'll then turn to one recent speculation on the origins of Aṅgulimāla.", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening", "fame", "views/ditthi", "Gombrich, Richard", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "MN 86" ] }, { "id": "lq-YGGnEhIg", "title": "Ignorance In Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lq-YGGnEhIg", "date": "2021-06-28", "description": "What is our root problem in early Buddhism? We'll answer that question, and then consider how to understand it in an early Buddhist context.", "topics": [ "delusion", "Piya Tan", "Rahula, Walpola" ], "suttas": [ "SN 45.1", "MN 9", "SN 56.17", "SN 56.42", "AN 4.49" ] }, { "id": "ZpyTRtcAQ4o", "title": "Life of the Buddha's Great Lay Donor: Who Was Anathapindika?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpyTRtcAQ4o", "date": "2021-06-21", "description": "Who was Anāthapiṇḍika/Anāthapiṇḍada? We'll look at his importance to the development of the early sangha, some of the topics that the Buddha discussed with him in various discourses, and the important dharma talk given him by Sāriputta on his deathbed.", "topics": [ "sangha/community", "suttas/early texts", "Nyanaponika Thera", "Hecker, Hellmuth" ], "suttas": [ "SN 10.8", "MN 143" ] }, { "id": "UgEHLKV7DcI", "title": "Buddhism's Fourth Noble Truth", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgEHLKV7DcI", "date": "2021-06-17", "description": "What is the Fourth Noble Truth of Buddhism? We'll look at this truth of \"magga\" or \"the Path\" through a dive into the Buddha's definition of it in his first sermon. NOTE: Kwok Wai points out in the comments that the quote about stimulus and response apparently is not by Victor Frankl, and indeed it's not entirely clear who originated it. See: https://quoteinvestigator.com/2018/02/18/response/", "topics": [ "eightfold path", "four noble truths", "Frankl, Viktor" ], "suttas": [ "SN 56.11" ] }, { "id": "BNmmWY9PAKQ", "title": "Buddhism's Third Noble Truth", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNmmWY9PAKQ", "date": "2021-06-14", "description": "What is the Third Noble Truth of Buddhism? We'll look at this truth of \"nirodha\" through a dive into the Buddha's definition of it in his first sermon.", "topics": [ "nirvana/nibbana", "four noble truths" ], "suttas": [ "SN 56.11" ] }, { "id": "1YPDFcOr2t0", "title": "Buddhism's Second Noble Truth", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YPDFcOr2t0", "date": "2021-06-10", "description": "What is the Second Noble Truth of Buddhism? We'll look at this truth of samudaya through a dive into the Buddha's definition of it in his first sermon.", "topics": [ "four noble truths" ], "suttas": [ "SN 56.11" ] }, { "id": "ZhS-IX2CVl8", "title": "Buddhism's First Noble Truth", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhS-IX2CVl8", "date": "2021-06-07", "description": "What is the First Noble Truth of Buddhism? We'll look at this truth of dukkha through a dive into the Buddha's definition of it in his first sermon.", "topics": [ "suffering/dukkha" ], "suttas": [ "SN 56.11" ] }, { "id": "bnMip0lgLzg", "title": "\"Superiority Conceit\" in Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnMip0lgLzg", "date": "2021-06-03", "description": "Bhikkhu Anālayo, a monk and major scholar of early Buddhism, has recently come out with a book on superiority conceits in several Buddhist traditions. We'll consider the four cases he discusses and then look at four further considerations on the topic.", "topics": [ "pride/conceit", "Analayo", "Batchelor, Stephen" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "Wyaywrf014U", "title": "The Early Ideal of the \"Lone Buddha\" or Paccekabuddha", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wyaywrf014U", "date": "2021-05-31", "description": "What is the early ideal of the \"lone Buddha\" or Paccekabuddha/ Pratyekabuddha? We'll look at its historical development and an early poem that may indicate the lifestyle of the \"lone Buddha\".", "topics": [ "Buddha (historical)", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "MN 116", "DN 16", "Snp 1.3" ] }, { "id": "7Bg8tMblCYA", "title": "Who Was Ananda? Life of the Buddha's Closest Companion", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Bg8tMblCYA", "date": "2021-05-24", "description": "Apart from being the Buddha's close attendant, Ananda has the reputation of being everyone's favorite early monastic. We'll consider why that might be the case by looking at his life and the controversy that eventually clouded it.", "topics": [ "sangha/community" ], "suttas": [ "MN 53", "SN 47.13", "DN 16" ] }, { "id": "J0cW9LpLadQ", "title": "Language in Buddhism: Should We Use \"I\", \"Me\", \"Mine\"?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0cW9LpLadQ", "date": "2021-05-20", "description": "\"Languaging\" in Buddhism is something many dharma teachers will consider. Sometimes eliminating words like \"I\", \"me\", or \"you\" from our language can help us see things more objectively. But is it something we can keep up for long, and is it really necessary? We'll look to one early sutta for clues.", "topics": [ "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "SN 1.25" ] }, { "id": "5JXnXbyNDGM", "title": "Not With a Teacher? Six Ways to Gauge Progress in Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JXnXbyNDGM", "date": "2021-05-17", "description": "If you're not studying under a teacher, how can you best get an idea of your progress along the Buddhist path? Recently Ven. Pomnyun Sunim did a video over at Buddhistdoor Global where he outlined some approaches we could take to this problem. I'll go through six of them and discuss my thoughts.", "topics": [ "progress", "Sapolsky, Robert" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "eanEdK4dFA8", "title": "Māra's Roles in Buddhism: Personal and Cosmological", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eanEdK4dFA8", "date": "2021-05-13", "description": "We will begin by looking at who Māra is, through an investigation of the linguistic roots of his name. Then we'll turn to look at a couple of Māra's roles in Buddhism, both the way he works in a cosmological sense as well as in a personal sense.", "topics": [ "devas/supernatural beings" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "4hDmFFXT_sg", "title": "The Parable of the Raft in Early Buddhism: Right View and Non-clinging", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hDmFFXT_sg", "date": "2021-05-10", "description": "The parable of the raft is one of the most famous early Buddhist parables. We'll look at it in context in this video, illustrating its place in a particularly profound early sutta.", "topics": [ "attachment/clinging", "fame", "suttas/early texts", "views/ditthi", "Piya Tan", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "MN 22", "MN 38" ] }, { "id": "17JuZUq5OHg", "title": "\"Dharma\" or \"Dhamma\"? Language and Sectarianism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17JuZUq5OHg", "date": "2021-05-06", "description": "A comment I get from time to time is that the name of this channel should be \"Doug's Dhamma\". This opens up an interesting discussion about some of the earliest languages of Buddhism and how their use reflects upon modern-day issues of Buddhist sectarianism.", "topics": [ "rhetoric/debate", "time/momentariness" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "XHr_Q5D-cNI", "title": "Mindfulness Could Lose You Your Job", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHr_Q5D-cNI", "date": "2021-05-03", "description": "We'll look at one recent article in the Harvard Business Review that claims mindfulness meditation can lead to worse job performance, something that could potentially lose you your job. Why is this and what lessons should we take from it? H/T to Ted Meissner for the article!", "topics": [ "meditation", "mindfulness" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "wUDnPy6ACG4", "title": "Did the Buddha Teach No Self?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUDnPy6ACG4", "date": "2021-04-29", "description": "Did the Buddha teach that there was literally no self? We'll look at that question and see what the Buddha had to say about the claim that there was absolutely no self. We'll also look at his broader picture of the self.", "topics": [ "non-self/anatta" ], "suttas": [ "AN 3.40", "MN 2", "MN 22" ] }, { "id": "AWjn479WZ9U", "title": "How Buddhist Practice Helps Nurture Happiness", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWjn479WZ9U", "date": "2021-04-26", "description": "How can we nurture happiness? We'll look at one psychologist's account and how the Buddhist dharma can help us to nurture happiness in our own lives.", "topics": [ "joy/happiness" ], "suttas": [ "SN 45.2" ] }, { "id": "d_cCtPPiN34", "title": "Patience with Practice: the Buddha's Simile of the Adze Handle", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_cCtPPiN34", "date": "2021-04-22", "description": "We'll look at three early Buddhist similes used to express the gradual nature of progress along the path. These highlight how we should use patience as part of our approach to meditation and life.", "topics": [ "meditation", "nature/environment", "patience", "progress" ], "suttas": [ "SN 22.101" ] }, { "id": "3yU3C-b6hII", "title": "Who Was the Buddha?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yU3C-b6hII", "date": "2021-04-19", "description": "Who was the Buddha? In this introduction to his life, we will look at how he got started, and at his struggle to attain enlightenment. Then we'll turn to his personality and major accomplishments during his mature teaching career.", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening", "work/livelihood" ], "suttas": [ "MN 26" ] }, { "id": "bty5BXYCC30", "title": "Overcoming Arrogance: Story of the Buddhist Monk Malunkyaputta", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bty5BXYCC30", "date": "2021-04-15", "description": "Who was Malunkyaputta and why was he important in early Buddhism? We'll look at his story: how he began as an arrogant monk interested in intellectual matters and learned how to overcome his problems through meditation and wisdom.", "topics": [ "meditation", "wisdom/panna", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "MN 63", "MN 64", "AN 4.257", "SN 35.95" ] }, { "id": "uO3Gd--YFnc", "title": "The Buddha's Parable of the Poisoned Arrow", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO3Gd--YFnc", "date": "2021-04-12", "description": "One of the Buddha's most famous parables is that of the poisoned arrow. What did it say, and why is it important?", "topics": [ "fame", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "MN 63" ] }, { "id": "yBKK1HvieqU", "title": "The Buddhist Doctrine of Two Truths: Abhidharma and Nagarjuna", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBKK1HvieqU", "date": "2021-04-08", "description": "This is a short introduction to the development of the doctrine of two truths in Buddhism. We'll look briefly at the doctrine's origins that are treated in an earlier video, then we'll turn to the role of the abhidhamma/abhidharma in establishing a Buddhist understanding of ultimate truth or ultimate reality. Finally we'll turn to the Buddhist philosopher Nagarjuna's presentation of the doctrine of two truths and some of its later implications.", "topics": [ "Mahayana", "abhidhamma", "philosophy", "two truths doctrine", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu", "Nagarjuna" ], "suttas": [ "Mūlamadhyamakakārikā" ] }, { "id": "qL_sspJzQx8", "title": "The Buddhist Doctrine of Two Truths: Origins", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qL_sspJzQx8", "date": "2021-04-05", "description": "In this video we'll look at the origins of the Buddhist doctrine of \"two truths\" in the Upaniṣads and certain of the suttas of early Buddhism. While the Buddha never actually discussed a concept of \"two truths\" per se, he did elaborate a number of related ideas that in time would mature into this doctrine.", "topics": [ "Mahayana", "suttas/early texts", "time/momentariness", "two truths doctrine" ], "suttas": [ "AN 2.21-31", "SN 1.25", "DN 9", "MN 74", "AN 4.49", "SN 22.94" ] }, { "id": "Ltr0gPj6s50", "title": "The Five Precepts of Buddhism: Historical Roots in Early Teachings", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ltr0gPj6s50", "date": "2021-03-29", "description": "What are the five precepts of Buddhism? Where did they come from and why should we practice them? We will look at these questions in this video.", "topics": [ "five precepts", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "AN 8.39", "AN 8.43", "SN 55.7", "SN 37.24", "AN 4.99", "MN 41", "SN 45.8" ] }, { "id": "9lhyjbhrIRs", "title": "The Controversy Over Nuns (Bhikkhuni) in Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lhyjbhrIRs", "date": "2021-03-22", "description": "In the past few decades a controversy has arisen over the restarting of nuns' orders in two schools of Buddhism. We will discuss the controversy as it relates to the Theravāda school, and note in passing that a similar controversy exists in Tibetan Buddhism as well. We will look a little at the history involved, at why it has become so controversial, and at how we might approach the problem in the present day. Thanks to Upayadhi for her kind help in researching this video!", "topics": [ "Theravada", "Vajrayana", "sangha/community", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu", "Analayo", "Thanissaro, Bhikkhu", "Sujato, Bhikkhu", "Brasington, Leigh" ], "suttas": [ "Vinaya, Khandhaka 10" ] }, { "id": "jX7suYpv8WM", "title": "Buddha on Running a Small Business (!)", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX7suYpv8WM", "date": "2021-03-18", "description": "Yes, strange though it may seem, the Buddha did have something to say about running a small business. We'll see four beneficial qualities that help one in this endeavor, and how the Buddha compares them to similar qualities of the well-practicing monastic.", "topics": [ "sangha/community", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "AN 3.19", "AN 3.20" ] }, { "id": "ALl1hmBqtEQ", "title": "Overcoming Dharma Doubts: Three Strategies", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALl1hmBqtEQ", "date": "2021-03-15", "description": "Doubt in early Buddhism is something we need to overcome in order to make progress along the path. I'll look at doubt in this video, and provide three different strategies we can use that can help with them.", "topics": [ "doubt", "progress", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [ "AN 7.11", "AN 10.13" ] }, { "id": "-Wz3N5IAGDM", "title": "What is \"The Unconditioned\" in Buddhism?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Wz3N5IAGDM", "date": "2021-03-11", "description": "What is \"the Unconditioned\" in early Buddhism? Well, it's a description of nirvana. But how? What does it describe? We'll look at how the word can mislead us, and discover what it means.", "topics": [ "nirvana/nibbana", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [ "Ud 8.3", "Iti 43", "SN 43.1" ] }, { "id": "qihfGniVzYk", "title": "Fourth Anniversary Video: Top Five", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qihfGniVzYk", "date": "2021-03-08", "description": "It's the fourth anniversary of this channel Doug's Dharma on YouTube! To celebrate, I'll look back on several videos I found particularly interesting to make over the past year, and then we'll turn to the top five videos in terms of 28-day viewership.", "topics": [ "personal reflection" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "29cdfOget10", "title": "Practicing \"Effacement\" Through Kindness in Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29cdfOget10", "date": "2021-03-04", "description": "What is the practice of self-effacement in early Buddhism? We'll look at one sutta that distinguishes a practice of self-effacement through kindness and non-harming from a separate practice of deep meditative absorption. We'll also consider how certain practices may be more helpful in effacing greed, hatred, and delusion.", "topics": [ "anger", "delusion", "jhana/absorption", "meditation", "suttas/early texts", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "MN 8" ] }, { "id": "JLKJO97Eihg", "title": "Three Kinds of Conceit in Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLKJO97Eihg", "date": "2021-03-01", "description": "Conceit is a central problem we face in early Buddhism. We'll look at the three kinds of conceit, how they manifest, and why they are problematic. Finally we will turn to a couple of key nuances with conceit.", "topics": [ "pride/conceit" ], "suttas": [ "SN 22.49", "AN 6.49", "Thag 18.1", "SN 4.4", "AN 4.159" ] }, { "id": "Ki5w8qYIVUo", "title": "Diminishing the Five Hindrances to Meditation in Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki5w8qYIVUo", "date": "2021-02-25", "description": "In a recent video (linked below) I discussed the five hindrances to meditation from early Buddhism. In this video I'll discuss ways we find in one early Buddhist text to diminish them skillfully, as well as some of my own thoughts on the matter.", "topics": [ "hindrances", "meditation", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "SN 46.51" ] }, { "id": "dBdfBHkCTIQ", "title": "The Five Hindrances to Meditation: \"Armies of Māra\"", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBdfBHkCTIQ", "date": "2021-02-22", "description": "The Buddha discussed five tendencies of mind that hinder our progress in meditation and indeed that can get in the way of our living a happy life. They may metaphorically be understood as the \"armies of Māra\". We'll discuss each of those five hindrances with an eye to what the early texts say about how they tend to arise.", "topics": [ "hindrances", "joy/happiness", "meditation", "progress", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "AN 5.51", "SN 46.51" ] }, { "id": "AvO_ojgM7Aw", "title": "How We Get Caught By Practice: Clinging to Rules and Rituals in Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvO_ojgM7Aw", "date": "2021-02-18", "description": "One of our unskillful underlying tendencies of mind in early Buddhism is that of clinging to rules and rituals. We'll discuss what that is, as well as its potential historical development, and how it may manifest in us today.", "topics": [ "attachment/clinging", "skillful/unskillful action" ], "suttas": [ "MN 2", "MN 9", "MN 11", "MN 64" ] }, { "id": "E-X2HLXL8ug", "title": "There Were Two Nirvanas", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-X2HLXL8ug", "date": "2021-02-15", "description": "Did you know that in early Buddhism there were two kinds of nirvana to which we could attain? We'll look at what those two were, how they differed, and why the difference between them was of dharmic importance, particularly for a traditional understanding.", "topics": [ "nirvana/nibbana" ], "suttas": [ "SN 56.11", "SN 36.6", "Iti 44" ] }, { "id": "UOx6-AikZ-Y", "title": "The \"Underlying Tendencies\" of Our Minds: Early Buddhist Understanding of Unskillfulness", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOx6-AikZ-Y", "date": "2021-02-11", "description": "On an early Buddhist understanding, our minds are beset by certain \"underlying tendencies\" that produce in us unskillful thought and behavior. We will look at those tendencies through their most well-known list and also look at a couple of extra ones mentioned elsewhere in the texts.", "topics": [ "skillful/unskillful action", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "MN 64", "AN 7.11", "MN 18", "MN 9" ] }, { "id": "WcIdaTnraXM", "title": "Who Was Sariputta/Śariputra? (Life of the Buddha's Chief Disciple)", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcIdaTnraXM", "date": "2021-02-08", "description": "The Buddha's chief disciple was a man named Sāriputta. We'll look at his life and influence in this video. First we will look at where his main motivation seems to have lain, by looking in detail at how he encountered the Buddha dharma and became enlightened. Then we will turn to his influence on the dharma and sangha. Last we will look at how he was perceived after his death, and how his role was seen to have changed radically, in some later Buddhist circles.", "topics": [ "death/mortality", "enlightenment/awakening", "sangha/community", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "MN 74", "MN 9", "DN 33", "Vimalakīrti Nirdeśa" ] }, { "id": "-dD9_mPZUiY", "title": "Five Tips to Benefit Mindfulness of Breathing", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dD9_mPZUiY", "date": "2021-02-04", "description": "Do you have a meditation practice where you do mindfulness of breathing? We'll go over five tips from a text in the early tradition that outlines five ways we can work to benefit such a practice.", "topics": [ "breath meditation", "meditation", "mindfulness", "work/livelihood", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "S2XkWDFWbvk", "title": "When is a Translation Not a Translation? Poems of the Earliest Buddhist Women", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2XkWDFWbvk", "date": "2021-02-01", "description": "A book purporting to translate poetry of the first Buddhist women was released last year to great fanfare. More recently discussion has arisen as to whether what the book presents is actually a translation, and whether instead it erases the voices of these women. Thanks to the work of Ayya Sudhamma, Bhikkhu Sujato, and Bhikkhu Akāliko among others for their work on this matter. This video has relied upon them. Key material linked below. UPDATE: Shambhala has just released a statement indicating that they intend to \"reissue\" the book: https://www.shambhala.com/ffw-response", "topics": [ "rhetoric/debate", "work/livelihood", "Weingast, Matty", "Hallisey, Charles", "Bodhipaksa", "Sujato, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [ "Thig 4.1", "Iti 56" ] }, { "id": "zjMOy_ZRofQ", "title": "Mindfulness of Breathing Practice: Mind and Dharmas", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjMOy_ZRofQ", "date": "2021-01-28", "description": "In this video we'll look at the last eight aspects of mindfulness of breathing practice as described in the early texts. This includes practices of mindfulness of breathing related to mind, and to dharmas. We'll also consider how this practice might be done in a single sitting. The prior video that discusses mindfulness of breathing practices involving body and feeling tones is linked below.", "topics": [ "breath meditation", "mindfulness", "suttas/early texts", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "MN 118" ] }, { "id": "fpcP0Oim4jE", "title": "Mindfulness of Breathing Practice: Body and Feelings", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpcP0Oim4jE", "date": "2021-01-25", "description": "We'll look at the first eight aspects of mindfulness of breathing practice from the early texts, four having to do with the body, and four with feeling tones.", "topics": [ "breath meditation", "mindfulness", "suttas/early texts", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "MN 118", "MN 44" ] }, { "id": "AVsKCSZzmC0", "title": "Mindfulness of Breathing is Important! (Early Buddhist Practice)", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVsKCSZzmC0", "date": "2021-01-21", "description": "When we begin our meditation practice we often begin with mindfulness of breathing. But it is so much more than an introductory practice. We'll look at its importance in the early suttas with help from a recent book on the topic by Bhikkhu Anālayo.", "topics": [ "breath meditation", "meditation", "mindfulness", "suttas/early texts", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "MN 118", "SN 54.11" ] }, { "id": "2YB34dspSq8", "title": "Who Are You? The Five Aggregates of Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YB34dspSq8", "date": "2021-01-18", "description": "What lies behind our idea of self in Buddhism? We'll look at the building blocks of it all, the so-called \"five aggregates of clinging\". We'll also consider ways that we can cling to each of the aggregates, and so create suffering.", "topics": [ "attachment/clinging", "five aggregates", "suffering/dukkha" ], "suttas": [ "SN 22.57", "SN 22.94" ] }, { "id": "YIcnCqOALPs", "title": "What Is the Pali Canon of Buddhism?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIcnCqOALPs", "date": "2021-01-14", "description": "Many of us may have heard of the Buddhist Pāli Canon. What is it? We will look at its early history and the material that makes it up.", "topics": [ "Pali canon", "Muller, Max", "Collins, Steven" ], "suttas": [ "DN 33" ] }, { "id": "8ZNikKFjw6g", "title": "The Buddha's Advice for Working With the Eight Worldly Conditions", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZNikKFjw6g", "date": "2021-01-11", "description": "Gain and loss, fame and infamy, praise and blame, pleasure and pain: they orient our lives. How should we work with these conditions most skillfully? We will look at what the Buddha had to say.", "topics": [ "fame", "pleasure", "work/livelihood" ], "suttas": [ "AN 8.6", "AN 4.192", "AN 5.30", "MN 22" ] }, { "id": "zZOu6PLWrtI", "title": "The Buddha's Eight Worldly Conditions or \"Worldly Winds\"", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZOu6PLWrtI", "date": "2021-01-07", "description": "In an early sutta, the Buddha pointed to eight worldly conditions (otherwise known as \"worldly winds\") that effect our lives and stress us out. We will take a look at these eight conditions and try to understand them for what they are. NB: Thanks to Lp Sander Khemadhammo for pointing out that the metaphor of winds in the context of these conditions (at least, six of the eight) is used in at least one sutta: https://suttacentral.net/sn17.9/en/sujato", "topics": [ "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "SN 17.9", "AN 8.6", "DN 34" ] }, { "id": "O3D-NosYAP8", "title": "How Karma Works: Mental Perfuming", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3D-NosYAP8", "date": "2021-01-04", "description": "We'll look at one way that karma can be said to work: how our intentions can redound upon us in the future for good or ill. But instead of doing so by way of outside influences upon us, it can also do so by the perfuming of our own mind-stream.", "topics": [ "karma", "work/livelihood" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "VCCuUz4Qyww", "title": "How Long Should Dharma Videos Be?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCCuUz4Qyww", "date": "2020-12-31", "description": "I recently ran a poll on the Community tab of my channel asking how long you all preferred these videos to be. Here I'll discuss the results of that poll and some thoughts I have about the videos for 2021 and beyond!", "topics": [ "personal reflection" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "xDsPCn5nxnM", "title": "How Karma Works: Sincerity and Reciprocity", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDsPCn5nxnM", "date": "2020-12-28", "description": "We'll take a look at how karma can be made sense of as a real phenomenon in nature and in human society through notions such as sincerity and reciprocity. We'll also look at how some ideas from evolutionary biology demonstrate how karmic ideas can be found in the animal world as well.", "topics": [ "karma", "nature/environment" ], "suttas": [ "AN 6.63" ] }, { "id": "Vto2L3BrcwU", "title": "Ten Tips to Improve Your Meditation", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vto2L3BrcwU", "date": "2020-12-21", "description": "Do you want to improve your meditation practice? We'll look at ten things you can do to make meditation easier and more productive. We'll also consider a bonus eleventh thing that may change how you view the other ten!", "topics": [ "meditation", "views/ditthi", "work/livelihood", "Gunaratana, Henepola", "Analayo", "Goldstein, Joseph", "Nhat Hanh, Thich" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "-ylkDiGgln8", "title": "The Problem of Personal Continuity and Karma in Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ylkDiGgln8", "date": "2020-12-17", "description": "Are we the same over time? We'll discuss the Buddha's answer to this question through various false leads that he rejects. We'll also look at the question of karma and the origin of suffering, and how it all relates to traditional notions of rebirth.", "topics": [ "karma", "rebirth", "suffering/dukkha", "time/momentariness" ], "suttas": [ "SN 12.17", "SN 36.21" ] }, { "id": "Z3JDvlsS3Q4", "title": "Is Barbie Becoming Buddhist? On Popularizing Practice", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3JDvlsS3Q4", "date": "2020-12-14", "description": "Is Barbie becoming Buddhist? A recent article in Lion's Roar magazine noted that the popular Mattel Barbie doll had become a mindfulness vlogger, apparently with a Buddhist background. We'll look at some of the videos she produced, and the doll that seems to have inspired them. Then we'll consider some responses to all this, including one from a Christian YouTuber.", "topics": [ "Barbie", "Salzberg, Sharon", "mindfulness" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "D9RgTQPnG4A", "title": "Is Deep Meditative Absorption (Jhana) Necessary for Enlightenment?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9RgTQPnG4A", "date": "2020-12-10", "description": "Do we need to have achieved the jhānas -- four deep states of meditative absorption -- in order to become enlightened? We'll look at some early texts for clues as to what the Buddha might have thought about this complex and controversial matter.", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening", "jhana/absorption", "meditation", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "MN 4", "MN 27", "MN 51", "MN 122", "AN 6.60", "DN 1", "AN 4.123", "MN 121", "MN 52", "MN 64", "Ud 1.10" ] }, { "id": "SVVjjy3RAks", "title": "Walking Meditation: Five Benefits from the Early Tradition", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVVjjy3RAks", "date": "2020-12-07", "description": "Why is walking meditation important to our practice? We'll take a look at a couple of early suttas that give some insight into some of its potential benefits.", "topics": [ "meditation", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "AN 5.29", "Thag 4.2", "AN 3.63" ] }, { "id": "SPEoWeF7ClE", "title": "How to Do Walking Meditation: Early Buddhist Practice", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPEoWeF7ClE", "date": "2020-12-03", "description": "How do we practice walking meditation? There isn't a lot of evidence, but we'll look at an early sutta that gives some indications. I'll then illustrate some key aspects of the practice, and why we might want to include it in our repertoire!", "topics": [ "meditation", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "Thag 4.2" ] }, { "id": "lRGIZQF97bA", "title": "Kindness is Central to Practice!", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRGIZQF97bA", "date": "2020-11-30", "description": "In difficult times, kindness and friendliness can make a real difference. We'll discuss how kindness is a central part of practice, and how even if we can't make as much of a difference in the world as we would like, there is plenty we can do that is helpful and beneficial. We'll also discuss how kindness also applies to ourselves.", "topics": [ "metta/loving-kindness" ], "suttas": [ "SN 45.2" ] }, { "id": "q6Mes17e1-s", "title": "Coming Back is Part of Practice", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6Mes17e1-s", "date": "2020-11-23", "description": "We live stressful lives and often our practice takes a back seat. We may feel there's some \"magic pill\" out there that will make life better, or we may simply let it all lapse. We'll discuss that all, and see why coming back is a central part of practice. You can do it!", "topics": [ "magic/supernatural" ], "suttas": [ "MN 65" ] }, { "id": "juXMASPK6ek", "title": "Digging the Roots of Our Complacency: the Problem of Neutral Feelings in Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juXMASPK6ek", "date": "2020-11-19", "description": "Complacency can be a problem in our personal lives, and a disaster on a national or even a global scale. Where does complacency come from? We will look to one of its roots, following a path laid down in the teachings of early Buddhism. We will also then turn to a practice which may help us dig out this root.", "topics": [ "progress", "feelings/vedana", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "MN 44", "MN 148", "MN 137", "SN 36.3" ] }, { "id": "2DotdUIO8iM", "title": "How Deep Should Buddhist Meditation Get? The Question of Jhana", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DotdUIO8iM", "date": "2020-11-16", "description": "There has been a recent disagreement over how deep meditative concentration practice should go, and over how deep the early Buddhist texts claim it was. We will look at that disagreement and help illuminate it by looking at some representative texts from the early tradition.", "topics": [ "concentration/samadhi", "jhana/absorption", "meditation", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu", "Analayo", "Sujato, Bhikkhu", "Brasington, Leigh" ], "suttas": [ "MN 122", "MN 36", "AN 3.63", "MN 111", "Ud 3.3", "MN 106", "SN 36.11", "AN 10.72", "MN 128" ] }, { "id": "odRfRY-s8QU", "title": "The Five Key Spiritual Faculties of Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odRfRY-s8QU", "date": "2020-11-12", "description": "Which mental faculties are most important for our development along the path? We will look at the so-called \"five spiritual faculties\": what they are, what our attitude should be towards them, and to whom they may apply.", "topics": [ "spirituality", "Conze, Edward", "Gethin, Rupert" ], "suttas": [ "AN 10.61", "SN 48.6", "SN 48.7", "SN 48.8", "SN 48.9", "SN 48.51" ] }, { "id": "fw0fPc0r0O0", "title": "“Beginner’s Mind” in Zen and Early Buddhism: its Development and Difference", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw0fPc0r0O0", "date": "2020-11-09", "description": "Zen teacher Shunryu Suzuki introduced us to the concept of practicing with a \"beginner's mind\". What does this mean? Where did it come from? We will discuss its history and how the practice differed importantly from what came before. We will then turn to an attempt to reconcile the early and later teachings.", "topics": [ "Zen", "Suzuki, Shunryu" ], "suttas": [ "MN 64", "MN 78" ] }, { "id": "R29XcUDil5c", "title": "Three Practices to Minimize Conflict: an Early Buddhist Perspective", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R29XcUDil5c", "date": "2020-11-05", "description": "According to the teachings of early Buddhism, one of the main sources of conflict is our attachment to views and opinions. We will look at three practices that can help us relax around our views and hence live a wiser, kinder, and calmer life.", "topics": [ "attachment/clinging", "views/ditthi" ], "suttas": [ "MN 18" ] }, { "id": "XMLhTXIPoWY", "title": "A \"Spiral Path\" in Buddhism?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMLhTXIPoWY", "date": "2020-11-02", "description": "We will look at what one recent Buddhist teacher termed a \"spiral path\" in Buddhism, and how it guides us out of our ordinary, mundane lives into a more transcendent encounter with the dharma. We will also then turn to look at how another early Buddhist path can be seen as a kind of spiral, taking inspiration from a sutta in the Pāli tradition.", "topics": [ "suttas/early texts", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu", "Jones, Dhivan Thomas" ], "suttas": [ "SN 12.23", "SN 12.1", "AN 10.61" ] }, { "id": "ZaexbQ_QChs", "title": "The Buddha on Disagreement: His \"Conflict-free\" Teaching", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaexbQ_QChs", "date": "2020-10-26", "description": "Conflict often stems from our disagreements with others. Early Buddhism contains material that can help us deal with such conflicts. Indeed, the Buddha claimed to teach in a way that avoided conflict altogether. We will look at how this was the case through a particular sutta from the early tradition.", "topics": [ "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "MN 18" ] }, { "id": "l8FAMaROYnI", "title": "Learning from Others (That You Don't Agree With)", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8FAMaROYnI", "date": "2020-10-19", "description": "Learning from others in a wise way involves a delicate balance between having a skeptical, critical eye and being charitable and open-minded. We'll discuss that balance in this video, and make use of a story involving the Thai meditation master Ajahn Chah.", "topics": [ "generosity/dana", "meditation", "Amaro, Ajahn", "Ajahn Chah" ], "suttas": [ "MN 18" ] }, { "id": "8OKCgvr98y8", "title": "Pleasure and Minimalism: an Early Buddhist Perspective", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OKCgvr98y8", "date": "2020-10-12", "description": "It often seems Buddhism is against our pursuing pleasures and avoiding pains. We'll consider whether and to what extent it is possible to live an ordinary life that doesn't pursue pleasures, looking in particular at minimalist lifestyles, and minimalism in general as an aesthetic approach.", "topics": [ "pleasure", "Kondo, Marie" ], "suttas": [ "AN 3.39" ] }, { "id": "JcKbIKRdIZw", "title": "Faith vs. Knowing in Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcKbIKRdIZw", "date": "2020-10-05", "description": "What's the relation between believing something based on faith, and having knowledge of something, in early Buddhism? We'll consider the role of faith vs. that of knowledge, looking at several early suttas.", "topics": [ "epistemology", "faith/saddha", "suttas/early texts", "Piya Tan" ], "suttas": [ "MN 95", "MN 60", "SN 41.8" ] }, { "id": "Op2vc-vuKbc", "title": "Three Ways Desire Makes the World", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2vc-vuKbc", "date": "2020-09-28", "description": "We'll look at three ways that desire \"makes the world\" for us, from the traditional Buddhist understanding of cosmology to a more down-to-earth way, and finally to a deeper, more fundamental understanding of the role desire and attachment plays in our lives.", "topics": [ "attachment/clinging", "Wright, Robert" ], "suttas": [ "AN 4.197", "MN 135", "SN 36.21", "MN 57" ] }, { "id": "jugL_NYQ5Sc", "title": "The Buddha Had His Limits", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jugL_NYQ5Sc", "date": "2020-09-21", "description": "We'll look at a couple of passages from the early suttas that discuss the Buddha's limits with similarly shocking metaphors. There were, it seems, things the Buddha had no problem getting rid of!", "topics": [ "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "AN 4.111", "SN 1.71" ] }, { "id": "3aXjrEdpIjY", "title": "When Words Won't Work: Self-Defense in Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aXjrEdpIjY", "date": "2020-09-14", "description": "Sometimes words aren't enough to get us out of difficult situations. We'll look at several examples from early Buddhism where the Buddha and his disciples had to find more forceful methods. What line is too far? It's something we'll also consider.", "topics": [ "work/livelihood" ], "suttas": [ "MN 21", "AN 8.20", "Ud 5.5", "Vinaya, Saṅghādisesa 13", "Vinaya, Khandhaka 21", "Vinaya, Khandhaka 10" ] }, { "id": "qRqxuxS1qUg", "title": "Buddhism and Icons: Prohibition to \"Idolatry\"", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRqxuxS1qUg", "date": "2020-09-07", "description": "The the Buddha's image plays a complex role in Buddhist history. We will look at how Buddhism seems to have changed from a largely aniconic tradition into one that was considered by its religious rivals as the epitome of \"idolatry\".", "topics": [ "art", "five aggregates", "Harvey, Peter" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "wunMrn-PP_w", "title": "Blackout Dharma (Tropical Storm Isaias)", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wunMrn-PP_w", "date": "2020-08-31", "description": "Well my power was out for a week recently, so I decided to make a video on what it was like, and how the power being out is its own kind of teaching.", "topics": [ "personal reflection" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "wi2sd65l95o", "title": "The Preeminence of Dharma Among the Buddhist Refuges or Jewels", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi2sd65l95o", "date": "2020-08-24", "description": "Many of us will be familiar with the three refuges or three jewels of Buddha, dharma, and sangha. But how do they interrelate? We will look at a number of early suttas that indicate the Buddha's approach to them, and that suggest the primacy of dharma among them.", "topics": [ "sangha/community", "suttas/early texts", "three refuges", "Gombrich, Richard" ], "suttas": [ "DN 16", "Dhp 273", "Iti 92", "SN 22.87", "DN 27", "MN 44", "MN 22", "SN 6.2", "AN 4.21" ] }, { "id": "y8GNgWatUwE", "title": "Buddhism's Decline in India", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8GNgWatUwE", "date": "2020-08-17", "description": "Why did Buddhism decline and eventually disappear in India, the land where it all began? We will look at the reasons and how they are different from the usual stories we are told. In particular we will look at factors internal to Buddhism in India at the time, as well as to competition with Hinduism and Islam. Lastly we will turn to some lessons we can take from all this, and to the eventual resurgence of Buddhism in India at the end. Thanks to Bernat Font for help locating resources for this video!", "topics": [ "time/momentariness", "Harvey, Peter" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "XT4GzTYc0xo", "title": "Checking In With You: \"Beginner\" vs. \"Advanced\" Buddhism?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT4GzTYc0xo", "date": "2020-08-03", "description": "I'm checking in with how you're doing and what you'd like to see in these videos. I'll discuss my thoughts on the channel and also some of the benefits of both \"beginner\" and \"advanced\" video topics in Buddhism. Let me know your thoughts as well!", "topics": [ "advanced vs. beginner" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "Pq0lloB-470", "title": "The Gradual Training: An Early Buddhist Map of the Path", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq0lloB-470", "date": "2020-07-27", "description": "What is the \"gradual training\"? It's a map of the path we find in early Buddhism, leading from our first inkling of the dharma up to nirvana itself. We will discuss \"gradual training\" as an idea, and then turn to the map itself, pointing out its major landmarks as found in the early suttas.", "topics": [ "nirvana/nibbana", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "MN 107", "DN 2", "MN 27", "MN 70", "AN 8.19" ] }, { "id": "a62ZgVWANz4", "title": "Buddhism on Suicide and Euthanasia", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a62ZgVWANz4", "date": "2020-07-20", "description": "What does Buddhism have to say about suicide and euthanasia? We will first look at the broader Buddhist context and then turn to what may have been the Buddha's own views on euthanasia and the controversy surrounding them.", "topics": [ "views/ditthi", "Analayo", "Harvey, Peter" ], "suttas": [ "MN 144", "SN 54.9", "DN 16" ] }, { "id": "Ls54cfbqwNE", "title": "Buddhism Crash Course: Four Shortest Descriptions of Early Dharma", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls54cfbqwNE", "date": "2020-07-13", "description": "You want a crash course in Buddhism? Here are four of the shortest descriptions of the dharma of early Buddhism: four ways to get a handle on the Buddha's teaching. We will look at what they tell us, and how they help us triangulate on the path.", "topics": [ "Buddhism (early)" ], "suttas": [ "SN 45.42-47", "MN 9", "SN 45.48", "MN 24", "SN 35.152", "Dhp 179" ] }, { "id": "0dCG2fheAQs", "title": "What is Early Buddhism?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dCG2fheAQs", "date": "2020-07-06", "description": "What is early Buddhism? On this channel I highlight early Buddhist teachings from a contemporary perspective. We will look at early Buddhism and its sources and consider some of its doctrines and pitfalls.", "topics": [ "Buddhism (early)", "Sujato, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "avY2PZ9tucw", "title": "How Does Buddhist Practice Work?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avY2PZ9tucw", "date": "2020-06-29", "description": "How does Buddhist practice work? We will consider the Buddhist focus on dukkha or suffering/unsatisfactoriness, and how our spending time with it can paradoxically help us bring it to an end.", "topics": [ "suffering/dukkha", "time/momentariness", "work/livelihood", "Whitaker, Justin", "Batchelor, Stephen" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "p0tI1ZjiIQ4", "title": "Sudden and Gradual Awakening", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0tI1ZjiIQ4", "date": "2020-06-22", "description": "The goal of Buddhist practice is to achieve awakening or nirvana. But it seems there are different approaches to awakening, and maybe even different kinds of awakening: sudden and gradual. We will look at early Buddhism and Zen in particular.", "topics": [ "Zen", "enlightenment/awakening", "nirvana/nibbana", "Sheng Yen", "Yampolsky, Philip" ], "suttas": [ "MN 65" ] }, { "id": "VlKp1lp-lvk", "title": "Becoming Buddhist: is it Necessary?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlKp1lp-lvk", "date": "2020-06-15", "description": "Is it really necessary to become Buddhist if we agree with the Buddhist dharma and want to practice? We will look at the Western (and Vedic) notion of religious identity and belonging before turning to the example of early Buddhism. How did people approach \"becoming Buddhist\" back then? What might the dharma itself have to say about this?", "topics": [ "self/identity" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "hefnN8THmuI", "title": "Buddhism and Race: Caste in Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hefnN8THmuI", "date": "2020-06-11", "description": "Today we're dealing with crimes perpetrated through centuries of racial injustice in the United States and indeed around the world. Was there anything the Buddha said that might be helpful or interesting to us? We will look at issues of race and in particular caste in early Buddhism, and at the Buddha's views on these subjects. 🖤 If you're interested in donating to organizations that work on issues of civil rights and racial justice, check out this list from Charity Navigator: https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=5204 🖤 Some recent YouTube videos discussing racism and Black Lives Matter: SWOOP: i can't do this anymore https://youtu.be/YXS8zZtZtaY Roberto Blake: An Important Message to All Content Creators https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgqL4PRVvYM Marques Brownlee: Reflecting on the Color of My Skin https://youtu.be/o-_WXXVye3Y Casey Neistat: What Black Lives Matter Protests are really about https://youtu.be/ag0MwmwGyG0 🖤 Other resource: https://psychcentral.com/blog/five-steps-white-people-myself-included-can-take-in-response-to-systemic-racism/", "topics": [ "social justice", "views/ditthi", "work/livelihood", "Gombrich, Richard" ], "suttas": [ "MN 90", "DN 3", "DN 27", "AN 4.197", "MN 135", "SN 36.21", "MN 98", "AN 10.48", "SN 7.7", "AN 3.57", "AN 5.179", "Thag 12.2" ] }, { "id": "MhKWykJr7ZM", "title": "Sutta on the Great Forty: the Three-Stroke Engine of Buddhist Practice", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhKWykJr7ZM", "date": "2020-06-08", "description": "In this \"deep dive\" we will look at some highlights of one complex and fascinating early sutta called \"The Great Forty\". We will see how it highlights a three-part engine of correct practice. We will also see how it makes a somewhat problematic analysis of the path into \"mundane\" and \"transcendent\" factors, and how historical study may help us to figure out what's really going on.", "topics": [ "suttas/early texts", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "MN 117" ] }, { "id": "xuhyuHb-9X4", "title": "Buddhist Faith", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuhyuHb-9X4", "date": "2020-06-04", "description": "What does \"faith\" mean in Buddhism, and how important is it? Should Buddhism be termed a \"faith tradition\"? We'll look at those questions in this video, beginning with the question of what faith means in Western traditions, and then turning to how it manifests in early Buddhism.", "topics": [ "faith/saddha", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu", "Jayatilleke, K.N.", "Gethin, Rupert" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "ZBZapci_dy4", "title": "Should You Use Meditation Aids?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBZapci_dy4", "date": "2020-06-01", "description": "Many of us practice with aids to our meditation such as music, incense, or even verbal guidance. Are these things we should be pursuing? Or are there potential pitfalls with them?", "topics": [ "entertainment/media", "meditation" ], "suttas": [ "MN 77" ] }, { "id": "ChgE9lQhXKs", "title": "6 Ways to Cope with Coronavirus Stress and Anxiety", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChgE9lQhXKs", "date": "2020-05-28", "description": "We'll look at six ways the CDC recommends we cope with the stress and anxiety surrounding the Coronavirus, with an eye to the Buddhist dharma. Several of the ways recommended have deep resonances with Buddhist practice. We will also discuss how these strategies can help us live better lives even after the Coronavirus is long gone.", "topics": [ "fear/anxiety" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "lpuGKIWAetg", "title": "The Buddha's Ten Recollections", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpuGKIWAetg", "date": "2020-05-25", "description": "An early Buddhist practice that nowadays many of us overlook is that of the ten recollections: ten things we should regularly bring to mind. We will look at them and consider how they might help us navigate through life.", "topics": [ "recollections (ten)" ], "suttas": [ "AN 1.296-305", "AN 11.11", "AN 8.59" ] }, { "id": "d6b7FX9vBG0", "title": "Overcome Your Doubts Through Science (Coronavirus Dharma Practice)", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6b7FX9vBG0", "date": "2020-05-21", "description": "Many of us have doubts about how to act or proceed in difficult circumstances such as these. We'll see how the Buddha recommended we find the right way forward, and how his suggestions can be updated to take account of the information provided by the sciences.", "topics": [ "COVID-19", "doubt", "science and Buddhism" ], "suttas": [ "AN 3.65" ] }, { "id": "57oqhAKEAF8", "title": "Devotion in Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57oqhAKEAF8", "date": "2020-05-18", "description": "Many people pursue a devotional Buddhist practice. We will look at what the Buddha had to say about devotion, both in a general sense and with respect to himself.", "topics": [ "faith/saddha" ], "suttas": [ "DN 2", "DN 16", "AN 3.96", "AN 3.82", "AN 2.32-41", "MN 7", "SN 6.2", "AN 4.21" ] }, { "id": "sJI2V9iUiRs", "title": "Patience in Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJI2V9iUiRs", "date": "2020-05-14", "description": "We will look at the practice of patience in early Buddhism, and relate it to our current problem: dealing with the coronavirus. We will see that although patience is not as central to early practice as it later became, it is nevertheless lauded by the Buddha through various interesting and powerful examples that may resonate with us today. (NB: when it comes to patience we must also be aware that there are times when not being patient is called for. That will not however be the subject of this video).", "topics": [ "patience", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [ "SN 11.4", "MN 145", "MN 21", "AN 5.215", "AN 5.216" ] }, { "id": "CQN7sVmckso", "title": "Two Kinds of Buddhist Interdependence: Dependent Origination and Indra's Net", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQN7sVmckso", "date": "2020-05-11", "description": "Interdependence is one of the hallmarks of Buddhist dharma. We will look at how ideas of interdependence changed, and how ideas about dependent origination changed to those more in line with the later metaphor of Indra's net. We will also consider how these relate to Buddhist notions of ecology.", "topics": [ "Analayo", "Huayan", "Mahayana", "conditionality", "dependent origination" ], "suttas": [ "MN 91", "DN 1", "Avataṃsaka Sūtra" ] }, { "id": "Y-anIijaVqs", "title": "Finding Contentment", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-anIijaVqs", "date": "2020-05-07", "description": "Can we find a practice that allows us to find contentment with our present life, particularly in the light of the Coronavirus and its effects? We will look at some discussions of the early Buddhist dharma that highlight contentment and its cultivation.", "topics": [ "contentment" ], "suttas": [ "AN 4.28", "AN 8.30", "MN 77", "SN 45.2", "Snp 1.3" ] }, { "id": "DF4rdQ7FRFY", "title": "Buddhism and Ambition", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF4rdQ7FRFY", "date": "2020-05-04", "description": "Is Buddhist practice consistent with having personal ambitions and passions? We'll look into that question in this video.", "topics": [ "progress" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "g6ikZwrPPTc", "title": "A 'Healing' Practice from Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6ikZwrPPTc", "date": "2020-04-30", "description": "With the Coronavirus upon us, we may be interested in knowing what advice the Buddha had to give to sick people. One early piece of such advice involves a contemplation on ten perceptions. We will look at the ten and consider what they might reveal to us.", "topics": [ "COVID-19", "death/mortality", "perceptions (ten)", "Gunaratana, Henepola" ], "suttas": [ "AN 10.60", "SN 36.6" ] }, { "id": "9CRAC8hQ7V0", "title": "Practicing Positive Thinking", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CRAC8hQ7V0", "date": "2020-04-27", "description": "Remaining positive is a great skill to have. We'll discuss practicing positivity with an eye to early Buddhism: some of its advantages and pitfalls, as well as a number of things we can do to add to a positive outlook on life.", "topics": [ "joy/happiness", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu", "Nakamura, Norm" ], "suttas": [ "MN 19", "SN 20.2", "SN 56.48" ] }, { "id": "B3Mw2qIeUn4", "title": "Two Arrows of Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3Mw2qIeUn4", "date": "2020-04-23", "description": "One of the Buddha's most famous similes was that of the two arrows. We will discuss aspects of that simile and how understanding it can help us in our practice with the Coronavirus.", "topics": [ "fame" ], "suttas": [ "SN 36.6" ] }, { "id": "GmZNRG2sgkQ", "title": "Technology and Ethics: the Importance of Buddhist Dharma", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmZNRG2sgkQ", "date": "2020-04-20", "description": "We live in an age of vast technological change, much of it for the good. However this change brings along great dangers. We will look at some of those dangers, consider ways to frame them appropriately, and then turn to solutions. We will see that the ethical approach found in early Buddhist teachings is a promising way forward.", "topics": [ "sila/ethics", "technology", "Analayo", "Dalai Lama" ], "suttas": [ "MN 115" ] }, { "id": "lCl1KSVuuXg", "title": "Universal Healthcare is Dharma: Coronavirus Wisdom", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCl1KSVuuXg", "date": "2020-04-16", "description": "How important is healthcare to society, and to each of us individually? We will consider that question and how it can best be provided. We will also take a look at an event from the Buddha's life that illustrates the essential nature of such care.", "topics": [ "Buddha (historical)", "nature/environment", "wisdom/panna" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "tK_sTcv0dg0", "title": "How to Become a Buddhist", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tK_sTcv0dg0", "date": "2020-04-13", "description": "I get many questions on my videos about how to become a Buddhist. So here are my thoughts on that! We'll talk a bit about what happens when you turn up at a Buddhist center, what they expect of you, the difference between being a Buddhist layperson versus a monastic, and so on. We'll also turn to the question of whether it matters if we have the label \"Buddhist\" or not.", "topics": [ "sangha/community" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "7-JAgMcktCI", "title": "Coronavirus Wisdom: Learning from Difficulty", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-JAgMcktCI", "date": "2020-04-09", "description": "The Coronavirus can provide us wisdom teachings. We will look at one in this video. In particular we will look at how important it can be at times to step out of our ordinary lives and in so doing overcome our ordinary tendencies towards apathy or narrow vision.", "topics": [ "wisdom/panna", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [ "MN 148" ] }, { "id": "8CP-ScOCHJ0", "title": "Past and Future Buddhas", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CP-ScOCHJ0", "date": "2020-04-06", "description": "Were there Buddhas before Gotama? Will there be Buddhas in the future? We'll look at what the early texts say about past and future Buddhas, and see why the evidence there is historically questionable in various ways. We will also see how it is perfectly sensible from a Buddhist standpoint for there to have been past Buddhas, and for there to be Buddhas in the future.", "topics": [ "Buddha (historical)", "suttas/early texts", "Gombrich, Richard", "Analayo", "Rahula, Walpola" ], "suttas": [ "SN 12.65", "DN 14", "DN 26", "Snp 2.12", "MN 56" ] }, { "id": "raTA_nv1LyA", "title": "Buddhist Coronavirus Practice: Gratitude", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raTA_nv1LyA", "date": "2020-04-02", "description": "Happiness comes partly from our framing of the world. A great practice to help us do this is one of gratitude, particularly nowadays with the Coronavirus. We will look at what the Buddha had to say about gratitude in the early texts, and discuss ways we can foster gratitude in our daily life. NB: gratitude practice is most effective if not done as a rote gesture each day, but if we \"mix it up\" with other, similar practices. See for example this recent video by Julia Kristina: https://youtu.be/iSyskbgWpJk", "topics": [ "gratitude", "joy/happiness", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "AN 2.32-41", "AN 2.118-129" ] }, { "id": "gKIlz5I_0HA", "title": "Four Noble Truths of Buddhism: the Practice", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKIlz5I_0HA", "date": "2020-03-30", "description": "The Four Noble Truths lie at the heart of Buddhist teachings. We'll discuss how they should also be seen as practices we undertake rather than just truths in which we believe.", "topics": [ "four noble truths" ], "suttas": [ "SN 56.11" ] }, { "id": "CJ3s7rP15sc", "title": "Overcoming Worry and Boredom: Coronavirus Practice", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ3s7rP15sc", "date": "2020-03-26", "description": "How can we work to overcome worry and boredom in our ordinary lives, or in an extraordinary circumstance like the Coronavirus? We will look at one practice from early Buddhism: focus on the present.", "topics": [ "fear/anxiety", "work/livelihood" ], "suttas": [ "MN 131" ] }, { "id": "76WNNri9UR4", "title": "Mindfulness Meditation: Practicing with Internal, External, and Both", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76WNNri9UR4", "date": "2020-03-23", "description": "In mindfulness meditation it's said we should practice with the internal, the external, and both. But what do these mean? We will take a look at some possible interpretations and how they can aid in mastering our practice.", "topics": [ "meditation", "mindfulness", "Analayo", "Sujato, Bhikkhu", "Yuttadhammo, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [ "MN 10", "Snp 1.11", "AN 4.177" ] }, { "id": "NQjtzWIIZv4", "title": "Coronavirus and the Dharma: Three Practices", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQjtzWIIZv4", "date": "2020-03-19", "description": "It's going to be a tough few months here with the Coronavirus or COVID-19. What does the Buddhist dharma have to say that might be helpful? We will look at three different approaches to practice.", "topics": [ "COVID-19" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "PVVprT1o0_s", "title": "Mindfulness Can Help with the Coronavirus", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVVprT1o0_s", "date": "2020-03-16", "description": "Mindfulness practice can help us remain healthy in the face of a virus, even the Coronavirus. We'll look at how with the help of a recent article from the New York Times.", "topics": [ "mindfulness" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "bVCgVZ2PUjQ", "title": "Is Meditation Necessary?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVCgVZ2PUjQ", "date": "2020-03-09", "description": "Is meditation necessary for our practice? Or does avoiding it make us \"bad Buddhists\" somehow? We'll look at that question and how it is reflected in an early dialogue the Buddha had with a laywoman about lay practice.", "topics": [ "meditation" ], "suttas": [ "SN 55.53" ] }, { "id": "GrTFkqYShPU", "title": "Buddhas and Awakened Beings: What's the Difference?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrTFkqYShPU", "date": "2020-03-02", "description": "What's the difference between the Buddha and other awakened beings? We'll look at answers to that question from the early texts. In particular we'll focus on one early sutta where the Buddha responds to that very question!", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening", "suttas/early texts", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [ "MN 26", "MN 12", "SN 22.58" ] }, { "id": "VFFv314ZL-M", "title": "Change is Bigger Than You Realize!", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFFv314ZL-M", "date": "2020-02-24", "description": "Understanding change is difficult, it's more difficult than we may think. Often we consider change to be too obvious to be important. But really change is the deepest insight in Buddhism, and knowing change is central to practice.", "topics": [ "impermanence", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "MN 22" ] }, { "id": "0kBfKnylj3k", "title": "Learning Kindness: The Problems of \"Near and Far Enemies\" in Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kBfKnylj3k", "date": "2020-02-17", "description": "In the practice of kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity it is of great value to learn how to distinguish them from other emotions that are similar but opposed to them. We will discuss what are termed their \"near enemies\" and \"far enemies\". First we will look at the history of these concepts and then turn to the concepts themselves.", "topics": [ "compassion", "equanimity", "joy/happiness" ], "suttas": [ "SN 42.8" ] }, { "id": "PRT4z_8pqb4", "title": "Is This How Karma Works?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRT4z_8pqb4", "date": "2020-02-10", "description": "Karma is partly about the results of our actions. We'll discuss that in this video, using the example of my recent skin surgery. We'll also look at the question of our own persistence through time: are we the same person now who did the deed originally, or not? Or something in between? We'll see what the Buddha had to say about it all.", "topics": [ "karma", "time/momentariness" ], "suttas": [ "SN 12.17" ] }, { "id": "jTongGW_nyg", "title": "Two Buddhist Practices to Assuage Worry (They Helped Me Recently)", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTongGW_nyg", "date": "2020-02-03", "description": "In this video we'll discuss two Buddhist practices you can use to assuage worry. I'll talk about how these were useful to me in my recent skin surgery, as well as some thoughts about medication for worry.", "topics": [ "fear/anxiety", "Brach, Tara" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "XbHcqUnWBlc", "title": "Emptiness in Buddhism: Early Practice", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbHcqUnWBlc", "date": "2020-01-27", "description": "Did you know there was an early Buddhist emptiness practice? We'll discuss the deep and subtle meditative practice known as the \"liberation of mind by emptiness\". We'll look at its stages as well as at a section that seems to have been interpolated into the text at some later stage.", "topics": [ "emptiness", "meditation", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu", "Analayo", "Bronkhorst, Johannes" ], "suttas": [ "SN 41.7", "MN 121", "MN 151" ] }, { "id": "U1_i6EvYDaY", "title": "Emptiness in Buddhism: Early Doctrine and Development", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1_i6EvYDaY", "date": "2020-01-20", "description": "What is the doctrine of emptiness in Buddhism? We'll look at its early history to see how the notion of emptiness may have began in response to ideas of the day, how it matured, and how it developed in later Buddhist dharma.", "topics": [ "emptiness", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [ "SN 35.85", "SN 22.122", "SN 12.15", "SN 12.17" ] }, { "id": "YFsB7pUg_6Q", "title": "How Did Buddhism Begin?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFsB7pUg_6Q", "date": "2020-01-13", "description": "How did Buddhism begin? We'll look at its place in the \"axial age\" of great thinkers who changed the world, then turn to the historical context in which the Buddha's ideas arose. Where did his ideas come from? What did he accept, and what did he take issue with?", "topics": [ "Buddhism (early)" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "XbmBzuoR8jM", "title": "Was the Buddha Omniscient?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbmBzuoR8jM", "date": "2020-01-06", "description": "Was the Buddha omniscient? We will look at the attainment of nirvana or awakening and its overcoming of ignorance. We will also look at some evidence from the early suttas that the Buddha was not considered omniscient in his day. We will then turn to a kind of \"all-knowingness\" that we might say the Buddha -- or any awakened person -- might have.", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening", "nirvana/nibbana", "suttas/early texts", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "MN 9", "Iti 7", "MN 71" ] }, { "id": "GdcuuM2uvm4", "title": "Can You Become Partly Enlightened?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdcuuM2uvm4", "date": "2019-12-30", "description": "Is Buddhist enlightenment or awakening possible? Sometimes it seems as though it is extremely distant from us. We will consider the possibility of getting a glimpse of awakening, or having a partial awakening, focusing on one early text that seems to indicate this is possible.", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "SN 22.43" ] }, { "id": "UtxeDSsmXJY", "title": "The Hardest Buddhist Practice", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtxeDSsmXJY", "date": "2019-12-23", "description": "What is the hardest Buddhist practice, particularly for us laypeople? I'll give you a hint: it has to do with family. I'll provide some keys that might help make it all easier and more straightforward.", "topics": [ "family" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "iUDEny5iEAo", "title": "Seven Factors of Awakening: Ordinary or Altered Consciousness?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUDEny5iEAo", "date": "2019-12-16", "description": "What are the seven Factors of Awakening in early Buddhism? We will look at their importance to the path, and grapple with a couple of different ways they can be understood.", "topics": [ "consciousness", "enlightenment/awakening", "seven factors of awakening", "Gethin, Rupert", "Sujato, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [ "MN 10", "MN 118", "DN 2" ] }, { "id": "r3MpxQOb1Vo", "title": "Is a Guru Necessary?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3MpxQOb1Vo", "date": "2019-12-09", "description": "Do you need a guru or teacher to make progress along the Buddhist path? We'll look first at how the Buddha suggested his disciples should investigate their teacher with an eye to deciding if it was worth studying under them. Then we'll turn to the question of whether in the Buddha's eyes we need a teacher at all.", "topics": [ "progress" ], "suttas": [ "MN 47", "DN 16", "SN 47.14" ] }, { "id": "jiEQ_RKL5wY", "title": "Becoming More Objective: Ideas and Practices from Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiEQ_RKL5wY", "date": "2019-12-02", "description": "Is there a practice we can use to become more objective? We'll consider several ways from early Buddhism that we mistake how the world is, and then turn to practices we can use to overcome our subjective errors.", "topics": [ "epistemology" ], "suttas": [ "AN 4.49" ] }, { "id": "-gWULW_aALc", "title": "Beginning Buddhist Practice", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gWULW_aALc", "date": "2019-11-25", "description": "Are you interested in beginning a Buddhist practice but don't know where to start? This is the video for you. I'll discuss two basic elements of Buddhist practice that we can all put to work immediately in our own lives, and point the way towards a third.", "topics": [ "work/livelihood" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "9aW-XZDkUnY", "title": "Buddhism Dealing with Negativity", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aW-XZDkUnY", "date": "2019-11-21", "description": "How does Buddhism help us to deal with negativity? Negativity can be a real drain on our energy and efforts. We will look at some elements of the early teachings that help us to put negativity in its proper context and learn to escape its worst effects. We will also consider the role that negativity plays in many online communities and how we can deal with it most effectively.", "topics": [ "technology" ], "suttas": [ "MN 22", "SN 7.2" ] }, { "id": "RoIkz7ZWbyc", "title": "\"Only This Is True\": a Phrase the Buddha Questioned", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoIkz7ZWbyc", "date": "2019-11-18", "description": "When does certainty become a problem? Is it always a problem? We'll look at what the Buddha had to say about some people who expressed certainty and the extent to which the Buddha himself did so.", "topics": [ "epistemology" ], "suttas": [ "MN 72", "MN 136", "MN 95", "MN 74", "MN 22", "MN 60" ] }, { "id": "8_AMrB-HOSg", "title": "Deep History of Buddhist Chariot Simile: Proto-Indo-European Roots?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_AMrB-HOSg", "date": "2019-11-14", "description": "The simile of the chariot is one of the most famous in all of Buddhism. We'll look at the deep history of the chariot in the cultures of ancient Eurasia and its importance generally to the area. Then we'll turn to how the chariot was used as a metaphor for practice in Buddhism, finally turning to the way it may have played a role in feminism within the early sangha.", "topics": [ "fame", "sangha/community", "Fronsdal, Gil", "Anthony, David", "Crosby, Kate" ], "suttas": [ "SN 35.239", "AN 8.14", "MN 24", "SN 1.46", "SN 5.10" ] }, { "id": "lAVfyW3S_dY", "title": "Should You Practice Non-Attachment With Those Closest to You?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAVfyW3S_dY", "date": "2019-11-11", "description": "The practice of non-attachment to all things is at the heart of Buddhism. How can we work with such a practice though when it comes to those closest to us: our friends and family? We will consider this problem and how in fact a non-attached approach may actually be the healthiest and most skillful even in these situations.", "topics": [ "attachment/clinging", "letting go", "skillful/unskillful action", "work/livelihood" ], "suttas": [ "SN 45.2" ] }, { "id": "yTxKgz8MeWg", "title": "My Secular Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTxKgz8MeWg", "date": "2019-11-07", "description": "Secular Buddhism means different things to different people. In this video I'll try to outline some of my own ideas about a secular path, and a little about how my views may differ from some others.", "topics": [ "secular Buddhism", "views/ditthi", "Batchelor, Stephen" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "fX11mDixOYk", "title": "Are You Not Supposed to Think in Meditation?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX11mDixOYk", "date": "2019-11-04", "description": "Are we not supposed to think in meditation? We'll look at that question and see ways that thinking is integral to certain meditative practices, while in others we strive to reduce our thinking in certain ways.", "topics": [ "meditation" ], "suttas": [ "MN 26", "Ud 1.10", "AN 3.101" ] }, { "id": "vHaT4f4Ttq4", "title": "What's the Difference Between Buddhist Non-Attachment and Mental Detachment?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHaT4f4Ttq4", "date": "2019-10-31", "description": "Non-attachment is at the heart of Buddhist practice. How is it different from mental \"detachment\"? We will look at what non-attachment means in early Buddhism and how it differs from detachment.", "topics": [ "attachment/clinging", "letting go" ], "suttas": [ "SN 47.32", "SN 35.118", "MN 11", "DN 26", "AN 9.7" ] }, { "id": "3naKIHYqKus", "title": "Blending Buddhisms", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3naKIHYqKus", "date": "2019-10-28", "description": "Many contemporary discussions of Buddhist dharma blend aspects from varying traditions. We'll consider the extent to which that's a problem, and also the extent to which being too exclusivist can also present its own problems.", "topics": [ "Buddhism (blending)", "Mahayana", "sangha/community", "Analayo", "Goldstein, Joseph" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "yJ9uRS7Nc6Y", "title": "Life: Accept It or Escape From It?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ9uRS7Nc6Y", "date": "2019-10-24", "description": "Is our task to learn to accept the world as it is, or rather to escape from it somehow? We will look at ways that both approaches are found in Buddhism, and how they can be reconciled.", "topics": [ "letting go" ], "suttas": [ "SN 12.65", "SN 36.6" ] }, { "id": "N9eM36vdkZE", "title": "Buddhism and \"Atheist Churches\" (Religion for Breakfast Video)", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9eM36vdkZE", "date": "2019-10-21", "description": "During the last thirty years there has been a significant rise in the non-religious in the US. We'll look at a recent YouTube video from the channel Religion for Breakfast that engaged with \"atheist churches\" or communities devoted to spiritual practice for those who considered themselves atheistic or non-religious. We'll consider how \"atheist churches\" can be understood from a Buddhist point of view, as well as how a secular Buddhist practice might fit in to this framework.", "topics": [ "atheism/agnosticism", "secular Buddhism", "spirituality", "views/ditthi" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "2pkpKX0jMu8", "title": "Can You Turn Egoism to Compassion?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pkpKX0jMu8", "date": "2019-10-17", "description": "We'll look at a story from the early tradition that illustrates our innate tendency to self-love, and how this tendency can be turned to more outward compassion for others.", "topics": [ "compassion", "relationships/love", "self/identity" ], "suttas": [ "Ud 5.1" ] }, { "id": "dOIgI4kEZpU", "title": "Dealing with Sleepiness in Meditation Q&A Video", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOIgI4kEZpU", "date": "2019-10-14", "description": "How can we deal with being sleepy during meditation? I'll tackle that question plus a few others that viewers have asked over the past few weeks.", "topics": [ "meditation" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "ckCuE-Kt9v4", "title": "How Do Your Intentions Trap You? (Dependent Origination)", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckCuE-Kt9v4", "date": "2019-10-10", "description": "How do our intentions and volitions trap us in suffering? We will look at the role of volitions in the Buddha's formula of dependent origination. We'll see how volitions appear several times, and discuss how we can begin the long process of untangling ourselves from the mess we're in.", "topics": [ "conditionality", "dependent origination", "suffering/dukkha" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "OOvLsg1FKEk", "title": "Is \"Bracketing Off\" or \"Cherry Picking\" from Religious or Philosophical Belief Systems a Bad Thing?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOvLsg1FKEk", "date": "2019-10-07", "description": "We'll discuss what it really means to \"bracket off\" or \"cherry pick\" material from a tradition that one finds useful as versus material that one does not. Is this a recent or questionable thing to do? We'll look at some examples of \"bracketing off\" and \"cherry picking\" from religious history and how they might relate to secular approaches to Buddhism among other things.", "topics": [ "philosophy" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "XMtbVOK4-30", "title": "A Short History of Buddhist Mindfulness Meditation", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMtbVOK4-30", "date": "2019-10-03", "description": "What is the history of Buddhist meditation practice? In this video we'll look at some changes that have taken place in mindfulness practice in particular, following some recent research. We'll also look at some other forms of meditation practice as well.", "topics": [ "meditation", "mindfulness", "Analayo", "Sujato, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [ "MN 10", "MN 44", "SN 54.9" ] }, { "id": "ZaeQHE1oSSw", "title": "Mindfulness for Beginners", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaeQHE1oSSw", "date": "2019-09-30", "description": "Have you heard of \"mindfulness\" but don't know what it is or why it's important? We'll discuss all that in this video.", "topics": [ "mindfulness", "Gunaratana, Henepola", "Analayo", "Goldstein, Joseph", "Nhat Hanh, Thich" ], "suttas": [ "MN 10" ] }, { "id": "asP-LoVkOE4", "title": "Mindful Awareness and the Rising Tide of Information", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asP-LoVkOE4", "date": "2019-09-26", "description": "We live in a world of increasing information that threatens to overwhelm our attention. We will see how a 1971 paper foresaw the rise of what has come to be called the \"attention economy\", and how some of its recommendations may point us towards a sophisticated internal practice of mindful awareness to help solve the problem.", "topics": [ "mindfulness", "technology" ], "suttas": [ "MN 108" ] }, { "id": "kUW5hBGoG8U", "title": "Gauging Progress on the Buddhist Path: The Traditional Four Stages", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUW5hBGoG8U", "date": "2019-09-23", "description": "In early Buddhism we find four stages through which we progress in our journey to awakening. We will discuss each of the four and look at one recent scholarly history that may uncover how these stages developed. We will then consider how the concepts of four stages may be problematic to our practice, and how conversely they may be useful. Thanks to Gremlon Icus for raising the question!", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening", "progress" ], "suttas": [ "DN 6", "AN 4.241", "AN 9.27", "SN 55.6", "SN 55.53" ] }, { "id": "59FXAW3AS2I", "title": "Why Won't the Buddha Answer You? (The Unanswered Questions)", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59FXAW3AS2I", "date": "2019-09-16", "description": "There were many questions that the Buddha refused to answer. We will look at those questions, many of which may interest us today, and consider why the Buddha wouldn't answer them. Then we will consider what this refusal to answer says about the early Buddhist path.", "topics": [ "views/ditthi" ], "suttas": [ "MN 2", "MN 72", "AN 4.77" ] }, { "id": "sToH97sMs9c", "title": "The Road to Hell Is Paved With Good Intentions", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sToH97sMs9c", "date": "2019-09-09", "description": "For the Buddha good intentions play a key role in the ethical value of our actions. But isn't the road to hell paved with good intentions? We'll look at the Buddha's ethical system and some concerns about the role of intentions.", "topics": [ "sila/ethics", "Fronsdal, Gil" ], "suttas": [ "AN 6.63", "MN 19" ] }, { "id": "dMqRrT-5UZ4", "title": "What is the Meaning of Life? An Early Buddhist View", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMqRrT-5UZ4", "date": "2019-09-02", "description": "Is there a meaning to life? We will begin by looking at what \"meaning\" is, and then take that to suggest various questions we might consider. Finally we will turn to what an early Buddhist answer might be.", "topics": [ "philosophy", "views/ditthi" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "pWJuC5js0oI", "title": "Buddhist Right Speech and Promoting Social Justice", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWJuC5js0oI", "date": "2019-08-26", "description": "The Buddhist ideal of right speech counsels us to avoid harsh or divisive speech, but sometimes when pursuing social justice we may need to speak out. We will also look at the related topic of so-called \"tone policing\" online and how it relates to right speech, with an example from Martin Luther King.", "topics": [ "right speech", "social justice", "technology" ], "suttas": [ "MN 22", "MN 58", "MN 93", "MN 95", "MN 103", "SN 22.94", "SN 35.88", "SN 45.8", "AN 5.198" ] }, { "id": "xX9s78E6lHE", "title": "Buddhist Right Speech: How Does it Relate to Free Speech?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX9s78E6lHE", "date": "2019-08-19", "description": "How do Buddhist right speech and ideals of free speech interrelate? We will look at a little of the history of free speech in the West, in particular how aspects of speech are not really free. We will then compare that to right speech, and take some lessons for online speech at the end.", "topics": [ "right speech", "technology" ], "suttas": [ "SN 45.8" ] }, { "id": "FHu6VG5r7vA", "title": "Removing Negative Thoughts: Five Early Buddhist Techniques", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHu6VG5r7vA", "date": "2019-08-12", "description": "We will discuss five techniques in early Buddhism for removing negative thoughts. Often it's said that we should simply observe thoughts arise and pass, not trying to influence them. This is a very good practice, but the Buddha suggested others that are more active. We will describe these five techniques and discuss why they should be considered more advanced practices, and why they may be problematic. Especially the last one!", "topics": [ "mental proliferation/papanca" ], "suttas": [ "MN 20" ] }, { "id": "WlAVNOiNj8g", "title": "Mind and Body: What's the Difference?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlAVNOiNj8g", "date": "2019-08-05", "description": "What is the difference between mind and body? This is an age old problem in philosophy. We will begin by looking at the history of this relation in Western philosophy and theology, and then move into how they are conceived of in early Buddhism. We will see that the Buddha had an interesting and unique understanding of the problem. We will then finish by seeing how the Buddha's understanding raised its own problem for another aspect of his early teaching.", "topics": [ "exercise/body", "philosophy" ], "suttas": [ "DN 15", "MN 63" ] }, { "id": "TalOMtAqlOA", "title": "Body Scan Meditation: Description and History", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TalOMtAqlOA", "date": "2019-07-29", "description": "We'll look at the body scan meditation. We'll see that there seem to be two or three different practices that go by that name. Then we'll delve a little into the history of the practice, and see where it might -- or might not -- have come from.", "topics": [ "meditation", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "MN 10", "MN 44" ] }, { "id": "ncumFq_RtfU", "title": "Does a \"Historical Buddha\" Matter?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncumFq_RtfU", "date": "2019-07-22", "description": "Many people gain confidence in the path of Buddhist practice by thinking of the Buddha's own story. We'll consider the difference between a story based in history and one based in myth and legend. We'll take a look at how both Socrates and the Buddha had a keen interest in the distinction between the two, and how that distinction may matter to some of us today. Then we'll consider the problem of finding a good historical account of the Buddha's life today, and I'll propose a solution!", "topics": [ "Buddha (historical)", "Blomfeld, Vishvapani" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "EZm0ShgEq08", "title": "How Can I Help You?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZm0ShgEq08", "date": "2019-07-15", "description": "How can I help you? In this video I'll discuss the ways I'm trying to provide aid for you in your understanding of early Buddhism, but I'm interested also in hearing other ideas from you!", "topics": [ "personal reflection" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "AtGuTuNIw4w", "title": "Essentialism and Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtGuTuNIw4w", "date": "2019-07-08", "description": "Essentialism is a new approach to life, developed in a recent book by Greg McKeown. We'll consider it in this video, and how its ideas relate to those found in early Buddhism.", "topics": [ "McKeown, Greg", "philosophy" ], "suttas": [ "SN 56.31", "MN 63" ] }, { "id": "gVf0RUOHZQo", "title": "You Can Be Too Equanimous", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVf0RUOHZQo", "date": "2019-07-01", "description": "Can you be too equanimous? This is a surprising conundrum from early Buddhism, noted by the scholar Anālayo in a recent encyclopedia entry. We will take a look at an answer to that question that seems to say that indeed we can have too much equanimity, at least in certain situations.", "topics": [ "equanimity", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "AN 4.100", "AN 5.166", "MN 103" ] }, { "id": "aBZNU-Vigz0", "title": "Buddhist Rebirth, Some Reflections", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBZNU-Vigz0", "date": "2019-06-24", "description": "The Buddha did teach rebirth. I'll discuss that and a bit about the Buddha's approach to reality as an empiricist rather than a scientist in the modern sense of the term. Then I'll discuss some of my own thoughts about rebirth.", "topics": [ "rebirth" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "cUOMhvKrks8", "title": "Escaping the Thought Trap", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUOMhvKrks8", "date": "2019-06-20", "description": "It sometimes seems we are trapped by our thoughts. We will look at how the Buddha considered thoughts, both in their general character, and also how he saw obsessive rumination arising and proliferating in the mind.", "topics": [ "mental proliferation/papanca" ], "suttas": [ "MN 19", "DN 21", "MN 18" ] }, { "id": "8G5MAVXWLXY", "title": "Secular Buddhism: Internal and External", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8G5MAVXWLXY", "date": "2019-06-17", "description": "There are two aspects to secular Buddhism that sometimes get lumped together. In this video we'll try to tease them apart and look at secular Buddhism's psychological and its social aspects.", "topics": [ "secular Buddhism" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "8zx9vSQH7KI", "title": "Confronting Laziness and Apathy", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zx9vSQH7KI", "date": "2019-06-13", "description": "Laziness and apathy can be a real drag on our practice. We'll look at various manifestations of these hindrances, as tiredness and then as a kind of generalized lack of effort or energy. We'll see there are a couple of ways these might develop, and there are strategies we can use to combat them all.", "topics": [ "hindrances" ], "suttas": [ "SN 46.53", "AN 7.61", "AN 8.74" ] }, { "id": "qlH_qieCgCA", "title": "A New Buddhism: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlH_qieCgCA", "date": "2019-06-10", "description": "We will look at the Indian lawyer, economist, politician, and tireless advocate for social justice Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, his career and influence, and in particular his development of a new Buddhist path in so-called \"Navayāna\" Buddhism or \"the New Vehicle\". We will see how it differs from traditional early Buddhist belief and practice, and how it is aimed at improving the situation of the most impoverished in India and around the world.", "topics": [ "social justice", "work/livelihood", "Ambedkar, B.R." ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "WecoXflK_DA", "title": "Breaking Bad Habits", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WecoXflK_DA", "date": "2019-06-06", "description": "Bad habits: we all have them. What does early Buddhism have to say about bad habits, and how we can deal with them? We'll look into some of the roots of bad habits and skillful methods to decrease their intensity over time.", "topics": [ "skillful/unskillful action", "time/momentariness" ], "suttas": [ "AN 7.11" ] }, { "id": "LWaBYTf6jv0", "title": "Buddhism and Happiness", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWaBYTf6jv0", "date": "2019-06-03", "description": "Do you come to Buddhist practices in order to find greater happiness? We'll discuss what happiness might be, and some pitfalls with it, then turn to some early Buddhist ideas of happiness, and how they might impact our lives today. [Correction pointed out to me by Michael Carano: \"Ignorance is bliss\" is a quote by Thomas Grey. George Orwell's quote is \"ignorance is strength\". It's been too long since I read 1984!]", "topics": [ "joy/happiness", "Orwell, George" ], "suttas": [ "Dhp 197", "AN 9.34", "SN 36.31", "Ud 2.10", "SN 45.2" ] }, { "id": "oYT5Ymm-zOE", "title": "Making a Living Teaching the Dharma (and Otherwise)", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYT5Ymm-zOE", "date": "2019-05-30", "description": "Is it OK to make a living teaching the dharma? We will look at a passage from the early canon that indicates it is not. We will then consider how best to understand the lessons in this passage for teaching the dharma in the modern world, as well as lessons we can take into our lives whatever our career path happens to be.", "topics": [ "work/livelihood" ], "suttas": [ "AN 4.62", "AN 5.41", "AN 5.159" ] }, { "id": "83ycWNSnjC0", "title": "Buddhism and Rebirth, a History", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83ycWNSnjC0", "date": "2019-05-27", "description": "Rebirth has been a Buddhist view for centuries. We'll discuss its origins in ancient Indian thought as well as its commonalities with ideas in the West. We'll also discuss its relation to ideas of time, and how those changed in the West. Finally we'll discuss some more recent ideas about rebirth.", "topics": [ "rebirth", "time/momentariness", "views/ditthi", "Batchelor, Stephen", "Ambedkar, B.R." ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "ew2iBj7OF2g", "title": "Not Mine, Not I, Not Myself and MORE NEWS", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ew2iBj7OF2g", "date": "2019-05-23", "description": "An oft-used expression for 'non-self' in early Buddhism involves the phrase, \"not mine, not-I, not myself\". We will see how these three ways of seeing the self differ, and how each one expresses a problem to be overcome. Also we will look at some news!", "topics": [ "non-self/anatta" ], "suttas": [ "MN 8" ] }, { "id": "RMQGwh3t0-U", "title": "Marie Kondo and Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMQGwh3t0-U", "date": "2019-05-20", "description": "Marie Kondo's \"KonMari method\" to reduce clutter has some resonances with, and some differences from, the teachings of early Buddhism. We'll discuss her method and then look at a passage from an early sutta and what it might tell us about how to go even deeper to reduce mental clutter from our lives.", "topics": [ "suttas/early texts", "Kondo, Marie" ], "suttas": [ "AN 9.41" ] }, { "id": "Z_R6hMbjfjA", "title": "Buddhism and Minimalism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_R6hMbjfjA", "date": "2019-05-16", "description": "What is a minimalist lifestyle? How does it relate to the teachings we find in early Buddhism? We'll look at both those questions.", "topics": [ "letting go", "Babauta, Leo" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "rkOGbXLgHGs", "title": "An ANNOUNCEMENT, new PROJECT!", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkOGbXLgHGs", "date": "2019-05-13", "description": "Today's video is all about a fun announcement I have of a new project to teach the dharma. You all need longer-form material in addition to these YouTube videos. That means courses! I'm starting up the Online Dharma Institute to provide courses in early and secular Buddhism. Right now I have a new free mini-course available, on wisdom, kindness, and calm. Please check it out at onlinedharma.org, I hope you enjoy!", "topics": [ "personal reflection" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "AHXW7g-ZNtc", "title": "What Isn't Meditation", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHXW7g-ZNtc", "date": "2019-05-09", "description": "We hear lots of different things called \"meditative\" in daily life. But are they really meditation in the Buddhist sense of the term? We will look at several of these and see how they stack up, and then turn to a passage from the early texts that may help illuminate the problem.", "topics": [ "meditation", "suttas/early texts", "Nhat Hanh, Thich" ], "suttas": [ "MN 108" ] }, { "id": "PT0Q3E7X1ho", "title": "Buddhist Practice for Social Change", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT0Q3E7X1ho", "date": "2019-05-06", "description": "How can early Buddhist practice help our effort for social change? We'll discuss ways that these teachings can impact our efforts towards making the world a better place, and ways that they might help make us healthier and more effective.", "topics": [ "social justice", "politics", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu", "Gombrich, Richard" ], "suttas": [ "AN 6.30" ] }, { "id": "HvAf8fBCPR8", "title": "Dealing with Regret", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvAf8fBCPR8", "date": "2019-05-02", "description": "We all have regrets. We'll discuss what early Buddhism says about them. What is their role in our lives? What good can they do us? And how do we deal with them, and move forward?", "topics": [ "regret" ], "suttas": [ "AN 10.1", "SN 46.53" ] }, { "id": "0JEhzFfk-gg", "title": "Do We Need Pali?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JEhzFfk-gg", "date": "2019-04-29", "description": "Pāli is the language of many of the oldest Buddhist discourses. Do we need to know Pāli to know about or practice early Buddhism? We'll consider that question with reference to a new book out by eminent Pāli scholar Richard Gombrich, as well as a look at a couple of early texts from the Buddha ... translated from Pāli.", "topics": [ "suttas/early texts", "Gombrich, Richard" ], "suttas": [ "Vinaya, Khandhaka 15", "MN 139" ] }, { "id": "u51Yh65TunU", "title": "Four Books That Drew Me To Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u51Yh65TunU", "date": "2019-04-25", "description": "Let's talk about four books that drew me to Buddhism, and why. Please put any books that drew you to Buddhism in the comment section below!", "topics": [ "personal reflection", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "qmQX_DrHg-Q", "title": "Was the Buddha Human or Divine?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmQX_DrHg-Q", "date": "2019-04-22", "description": "We see aspects of both humanity and divinity in the Buddha of the early texts. I'll discuss some of those aspects and propose some ways the historical development might have proceeded.", "topics": [ "suttas/early texts", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "MN 53", "AN 3.39", "MN 4", "MN 38", "MN 67", "AN 8.51", "MN 123" ] }, { "id": "_q8poVPPaPw", "title": "Equanimity Through Sense Restraint", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q8poVPPaPw", "date": "2019-04-18", "description": "One of the key ways the Buddha recommended we aim towards an equanimous outlook on life was through sense restraint, otherwise known as \"guarding the sense doors\". What was that practice? We will discuss it in this video.", "topics": [ "equanimity" ], "suttas": [ "MN 2", "SN 35.94", "SN 35.120", "SN 35.127" ] }, { "id": "KfNXMkeWWh8", "title": "Buddhism for Today, and the SBA", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfNXMkeWWh8", "date": "2019-04-15", "description": "There are many forms of Buddhism for today. Once we understand this we will see the way to make room for a more inclusive and contemporary approach to belief and practice. I'll discuss this and the role of the Secular Buddhist Association in this video. Please consider donating to the SBA. You can find its contribution page right here: https://secularbuddhism.org/contribute/", "topics": [ "secular Buddhism" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "Zdq9sXgbMSU", "title": "Learning vs. Doing Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdq9sXgbMSU", "date": "2019-04-11", "description": "Many of us spend our time learning about Buddhism. That's great but there is another way to approach it: by doing. We'll look at some of the key differences between these approaches and why it's good to know about both of them.", "topics": [ "time/momentariness" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "-rEKVKsV2iU", "title": "No Local Meditation Group? Six Solutions.", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rEKVKsV2iU", "date": "2019-04-08", "description": "What should you do if you're having trouble finding a local meditation group? It's one of my most asked questions. I have six different things you might consider doing.", "topics": [ "meditation" ], "suttas": [ "SN 45.2" ] }, { "id": "ncECq2tcHnc", "title": "Constructing a Daily Practice", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncECq2tcHnc", "date": "2019-04-04", "description": "How should we go about constructing a daily practice? We will look at several aspects that could go into it, including ethics, meditation, and wisdom infused by regular reflection and sutta readings.", "topics": [ "meditation", "sila/ethics", "suttas/early texts", "wisdom/panna" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "L2jTFPzKtK8", "title": "Confronting Illness and Death", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2jTFPzKtK8", "date": "2019-04-01", "description": "How do we confront illness and death? We will all experience them, but often don't want to contemplate them. I'll discuss some recent YouTube channels that have dealt with illness and death in deep and profound ways, as well as a little of my own journey. Then I'll turn to both traditional Buddhist and secular contemplations that may prove useful. The YouTube channels: Simone Giertz: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3KEoMzNz8eYnwBC34RaKCQ (Since recording my video she has finished her radiation treatment and come out with new videos on her channel). So Fia: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5gGJUbxE2Irm70TloI45GA Emily Hayward: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa6sLJCWdaRF2yS-gd_NkeQ PeeWeeToms: https://www.youtube.com/user/peeweetoms \"What do people say before they die?\" https://youtu.be/Tw3OP5GXbCo The Zen Center for Contemplative Care: https://zencare.org/", "topics": [ "Zen", "death/mortality", "Analayo", "Fronsdal, Gil", "Hitchens, Christopher", "Epicurus" ], "suttas": [ "AN 10.29", "MN 10" ] }, { "id": "bI7_LYzXOHc", "title": "Fake It Till You Make It?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI7_LYzXOHc", "date": "2019-03-25", "description": "I did an earlier video where I discussed some of the pitfalls of searching for authenticity in our daily lives. One alternative to a direction of authenticity is to pursue a practice of \"faking it until you make it\". But is this a good idea? We'll look at some directions from the early Buddhist texts for clues.", "topics": [ "self/identity" ], "suttas": [ "Vinaya, Pārājika 4", "Vinaya, Pācittiya 8" ] }, { "id": "LtT2v1vQBTk", "title": "Early Buddhism on the Internet", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtT2v1vQBTk", "date": "2019-03-18", "description": "It can be difficult to find reliable information about early or secular Buddhism on the Internet. I'll discuss some places we can look, and find both good translations of early texts and reasoned articles or discussions relating to them.", "topics": [ "secular Buddhism", "suttas/early texts", "technology" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "gXYwv2jrowU", "title": "The Paradox of Greed", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXYwv2jrowU", "date": "2019-03-14", "description": "We often feel that the more we have, the happier we will be. Is that really so? We will take a look at the paradox of greed using a story from the Buddha's teaching.", "topics": [ "attachment/clinging", "philosophy" ], "suttas": [ "Ud 8.8" ] }, { "id": "yzg8qqgIL9w", "title": "Authenticity: Good and Bad", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzg8qqgIL9w", "date": "2019-03-11", "description": "Many of us feel that being authentic is a life goal. We will look at that claim, and with the help of a recent article, compare the goal of authenticity with another more plainly ethical goal. We will ask if there may be a potential downside to authenticity, and try to find when authenticity might be useful and when it might not be.", "topics": [ "sila/ethics", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "AN 1.41-50", "MN 65" ] }, { "id": "LV0MH5fT9zs", "title": "Second Year Anniversary", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LV0MH5fT9zs", "date": "2019-03-07", "description": "It's hard to believe it's been two years already! I'll go over some of the developments we've been through over the past twelve months, and look ahead to some new ones. I'll also discuss the aims of this channel going forward. Thanks to all of you for your support!", "topics": [ "personal reflection" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "175JTI5AXc4", "title": "Is the Mind Luminous?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=175JTI5AXc4", "date": "2019-03-04", "description": "We may have heard the metaphor of the \"luminous mind\" in Buddhist discourse. We'll discuss one famous source of that metaphor and how it has influenced some aspects of Buddhist thought in the abhidharma and thereafter, as well as certain implicit tensions arising from that influence.", "topics": [ "abhidhamma", "fame", "suttas/early texts", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu", "Analayo", "Gethin, Rupert", "Collins, Steven", "Harvey, Peter" ], "suttas": [ "AN 1.51-60", "AN 1.41-50" ] }, { "id": "mwqJGlx2CDQ", "title": "Ethical Dilemmas in Early Buddhism?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwqJGlx2CDQ", "date": "2019-02-28", "description": "We'll look at ethical dilemmas and their role in western systems of ethics, then turn to Buddhism and ask whether such dilemmas play any role at all. Then we'll turn to some classic dilemmas and ask how they might be treated in an early Buddhist context.", "topics": [ "sila/ethics" ], "suttas": [ "AN 3.65", "AN 6.63" ] }, { "id": "qKkRDi0EVS0", "title": "Understanding Non-self: Khemaka's Story", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKkRDi0EVS0", "date": "2019-02-25", "description": "We can understand non-self intellectually, but that really isn't sufficient. We'll look at the difference between an intellectual understanding and one that goes deeper, using the story of the monk Khemaka as a guide.", "topics": [ "non-self/anatta" ], "suttas": [ "SN 22.89" ] }, { "id": "nlN3oCeCRFQ", "title": "The Unconscious in Early Buddhism?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlN3oCeCRFQ", "date": "2019-02-21", "description": "The unconscious plays a key role in recent theories of psychology. Does it have any counterpart in Buddhism? Well ... sort of. We will look at the suttas of early Buddhism in particular, at one way we may be able to recover some ideas related to the unconscious. These ideas are also related to notions of personality and identity over time.", "topics": [ "science and Buddhism", "self/identity", "suttas/early texts", "time/momentariness", "Gethin, Rupert" ], "suttas": [ "MN 18", "MN 44", "MN 148", "SN 36.6", "AN 7.11" ] }, { "id": "ZTqibLMY1LM", "title": "Can Bad Thoughts Be Good For You?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTqibLMY1LM", "date": "2019-02-18", "description": "Can unskillful emotions and mental states become skillful in practice? We will look at a few interesting texts from the early Buddhist tradition that highlight ways that some unskillful states are always so while others can become useful to our practice. Then we'll try to tease out the differences between those states that are always unskillful and those that are not.", "topics": [ "skillful/unskillful action" ], "suttas": [ "MN 22", "MN 44", "AN 4.159" ] }, { "id": "JEwQvlfMUf8", "title": "The Three Realms of Existence", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEwQvlfMUf8", "date": "2019-02-14", "description": "What are the three realms of existence in early Buddhism? We'll begin by looking at the way early thinkers sometimes had odd ways of approaching the world. Then we'll turn to the early Buddhist account of the three realms themselves, and how they relate to certain states of mind. Finally we'll turn to how we can view these states as metaphorical for ways of being in this very life.", "topics": [ "views/ditthi", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu", "Piya Tan", "Gombrich, Richard", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "MN 12", "MN 57", "MN 41", "MN 99", "MN 115", "DN 15", "DN 33", "DN 34" ] }, { "id": "IaH3fLhO3Xc", "title": "What Continues?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaH3fLhO3Xc", "date": "2019-02-11", "description": "We'll look at one way that was proposed for understanding what of our selves continues from moment to moment. Then we'll see what the Buddha had to say about that: how past, future, and present relate to the self.", "topics": [ "time/momentariness" ], "suttas": [ "MN 38", "MN 2" ] }, { "id": "EuTIM5JJap4", "title": "Why I'm Doing These Videos", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuTIM5JJap4", "date": "2019-02-07", "description": "We'll take a step back and look at the reason why I started making videos for this YouTube channel, why I feel that the teachings of early Buddhism are so interesting for today. We'll look at how their teachings compare with contemporary philosophy as its done in the West, as well as how philosophy has historically been done in the West.", "topics": [ "Buddhism (early)", "personal reflection", "philosophy" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "2CDBhrkX-3s", "title": "Letting Go of Control", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CDBhrkX-3s", "date": "2019-02-04", "description": "How much control do we really have? We'll look at some aspects of control that are real and useful, then we'll turn to some deeper aspects of control that the Buddha argued we need to overcome and let go of in order to live better lives.", "topics": [ "letting go" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "cKyn7VRa2co", "title": "Equanimity Meditation: Last of the Brahmaviharas", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKyn7VRa2co", "date": "2019-01-31", "description": "In this video we will look at the meditation practice of equanimity in the Brahmavihāras or so-called abodes of the gods. We will begin with a look at what equanimity means in early Buddhism, and its importance. We will turn to a couple of practices of equanimity meditation, one from the early and one from the later tradition. After making this video I realized that I hadn't included the third type of practice that was mentioned in the earlier three videos on the Brahmavihāras. I think you all should be able to extrapolate from those practices to this, but if you have questions don't hesitate to ask. :-)", "topics": [ "devas/supernatural beings", "equanimity", "meditation", "Salzberg, Sharon" ], "suttas": [ "SN 46.54", "SN 36.21", "MN 152", "SN 36.31", "AN 5.57" ] }, { "id": "Qh1pmjd5-Fo", "title": "Sympathetic Joy Meditation: Third of the Brahmaviharas", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh1pmjd5-Fo", "date": "2019-01-28", "description": "The practice of sympathetic joy is the third of the so-called Brahmavihāras or abodes of the gods. We will discuss what it entails, why we should practice it, and look at three different approaches to such a practice in the Buddhist tradition. We will also consider some potential problems that may come up when we consider sympathetic joy.", "topics": [ "devas/supernatural beings", "joy/happiness", "meditation", "Salzberg, Sharon" ], "suttas": [ "SN 46.54", "MN 21" ] }, { "id": "gjyTaAK8klM", "title": "Compassion Meditation: Second of the Brahmaviharas", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjyTaAK8klM", "date": "2019-01-24", "description": "Compassion is the second of the four Brahmavihāras, or skillful emotional states. We will consider three forms of compassion meditation practice, from the early and later traditions. We will also look at its history in Buddhism, and consider some pitfalls we may have to overcome.", "topics": [ "compassion", "meditation", "skillful/unskillful action", "Analayo", "Salzberg, Sharon" ], "suttas": [ "MN 26", "SN 46.54" ] }, { "id": "MuKCv6NEL24", "title": "Lovingkindness Meditation: First of the Brahmaviharas", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuKCv6NEL24", "date": "2019-01-21", "description": "We'll look at the development of lovingkindness meditation practice beginning with its roots in early Buddhism and then at a couple of later practice techniques. We'll consider how the practices differ, and how they developed over time, and compare them with some concepts from ancient Greece. Finally we'll look at why such practices are so important to us today.", "topics": [ "meditation", "metta/loving-kindness", "time/momentariness", "Analayo", "Salzberg, Sharon" ], "suttas": [ "SN 46.54", "Snp 1.8", "SN 3.8" ] }, { "id": "LMS37DNxG2A", "title": "Cultivating Healthy Emotions: Intro to Brahmavihara Meditation", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMS37DNxG2A", "date": "2019-01-17", "description": "Today's video looks at the meditation practice of the Brahmavihāras or \"abodes of Brahma\". This practice is to cultivate four emotions key to a healthy and skillful approach to the world. We will introduce these four emotions, what they are, and why we should consider them fundamental to our path towards a better and wiser life.", "topics": [ "meditation", "skillful/unskillful action" ], "suttas": [ "SN 46.54", "SN 20.4", "AN 8.63", "AN 5.161", "MN 152", "SN 36.31", "MN 99" ] }, { "id": "2EnyvQcvroo", "title": "Patreon: a Buddhist Why and How", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EnyvQcvroo", "date": "2019-01-14", "description": "We'll discuss the role Patreon plays in this channel, why I've decided to use their platform model. We'll also discuss the relation of generosity to Buddhist practice both historically and in our own lives.", "topics": [ "generosity/dana" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "zyNrtFIk6Ko", "title": "What is Buddhist Meditation?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyNrtFIk6Ko", "date": "2019-01-10", "description": "What is Buddhist meditation? We'll look at the three main types from the early tradition that you may encounter today. This video is intended to be introductory, for those who don't have any prior experience of meditation.", "topics": [ "meditation", "Goldstein, Joseph", "Salzberg, Sharon" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "RaLXzB3a-KE", "title": "Dealing With Anger", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaLXzB3a-KE", "date": "2019-01-07", "description": "How should we deal with anger when it arises within our meditation practice and within our ordinary lives? I'll give a few techniques from contemporary practice and the early tradition that have worked for me. I'll also give some techniques from the later, commentarial tradition that may prove helpful.", "topics": [ "anger", "meditation", "Salzberg, Sharon" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "GNuotqK1ivo", "title": "The Buddha and His Family", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNuotqK1ivo", "date": "2018-12-31", "description": "We'll take a look at some of the stories around the Buddha's family, his wife and child, and whether they may have been constructed out of whole cloth. Then we'll turn to look at the tension between family and practice in the early tradition and today.", "topics": [ "family" ], "suttas": [ "MN 26" ] }, { "id": "fKDyCszF7zE", "title": "Did the Buddha Exist?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKDyCszF7zE", "date": "2018-12-24", "description": "Did the Buddha really exist? It's a question that concerns some of us today, given the paucity of hard evidence from the early period of the Buddha's lifetime. We'll look at some of the issues involved in reconstructing that early history and finish up by considering whether and to what extent worries about the Buddha's real existence should impact our practice.", "topics": [ "Buddha (historical)", "Gombrich, Richard", "Gethin, Rupert", "Sujato, Bhikkhu", "Brahmali, Bhikkhu", "Attwood, Jayarava", "Ehrman, Bart" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "kS-Xtsq4_xE", "title": "What is Authentic Buddhism?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS-Xtsq4_xE", "date": "2018-12-20", "description": "What is authentic Buddhism? We'll take a look at that question from the point of view of the early texts. We'll see that they present us with two different ways we might approach the question.", "topics": [ "suttas/early texts", "views/ditthi", "Sujato, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [ "MN 22", "MN 38", "AN 2.21-31", "AN 1.98-139", "AN 10.41", "AN 5.79", "SN 20.7", "AN 8.53", "AN 8.8" ] }, { "id": "C6KSmGciUnI", "title": "Real Buddha Quotes!", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6KSmGciUnI", "date": "2018-12-17", "description": "Are you looking for Buddha quotes? Then this is the video for you! I'll have ten pithy and interesting quotes from the canonical words of the Buddha. For all you nitpickers out there, yes I'm also one of you. There is no way to know absolutely for sure whether or not any of these was *really* spoken by the historical Buddha. That's why I put scare quotes around the word \"real\". But they're pretty much as good as we've got. :)", "topics": [ "Buddha (historical)" ], "suttas": [ "AN 3.65", "SN 4.20", "DN 16", "MN 22", "MN 21", "Snp 1.8", "Dhp" ] }, { "id": "pbngKOUgCDY", "title": "Buddhism for Beginners", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbngKOUgCDY", "date": "2018-12-13", "description": "Are you a beginner at Buddhism? This is the video for you! We'll look at how Buddhism views the world and how Buddhist practice stems from that view.", "topics": [ "views/ditthi" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "LY047NET6Oc", "title": "Buddhist Global Relief", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY047NET6Oc", "date": "2018-12-10", "description": "We'll take a look at the aid organization Buddhist Global Relief (BGR) as an example of a place we might consider practicing generosity. First we'll consider the benefits of generosity generally, and then after considering BGR in particular we'll also consider a couple of ways religious aid organizations may be problematic. We'll see that BGR does not fall into those common traps. NB: I am not affiliated with BGR, and neither are these videos. If you are interested in learning more about BGR and the work they do, they can be found at: https://www.buddhistglobalrelief.org/", "topics": [ "generosity/dana", "work/livelihood" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "ABPBCT7A0ZY", "title": "Secular Buddhist Practice", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABPBCT7A0ZY", "date": "2018-12-06", "description": "What would a secular Buddhist practice look like, and how would it compare to more traditional approaches to practice? We will try to sketch some answers to these questions in this video, keeping in mind that secular Buddhism is a broad category and there will be many individual differences.", "topics": [ "secular Buddhism" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "xS7unxd5DXY", "title": "The Buddha on Just Government", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS7unxd5DXY", "date": "2018-12-03", "description": "Did the Buddha feel that it was possible to have a just ruler or just government? We will look at the early Buddhist texts for an answer to this vexed question, and find several different possible answers.", "topics": [ "politics", "Collins, Steven" ], "suttas": [ "DN 26", "DN 27" ] }, { "id": "9wI6QcDqHtc", "title": "The First Noble Truth is Liberating: the Story of Kisa Gotami", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wI6QcDqHtc", "date": "2018-11-29", "description": "It may surprise us with today's \"life is good\" mindset, but the First Noble Truth can be liberating. Yes, it can be helpful and stress-reducing to consider that life is not ultimately satisfactory. We'll consider that conundrum, with a particular look at the story of Kisa Gotami and the mustard seed.", "topics": [ "suttas/early texts", "four noble truths" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "QbGmn-1RsfU", "title": "Who is Mara in Buddhism?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbGmn-1RsfU", "date": "2018-11-26", "description": "Who is Māra in Buddhism? We'll give an answer to that question by looking at how Māra is both similar to and different from the Christian idea of the devil. We'll also look at a famous simile about Māra from the earliest stratum of Buddhism, using that to illuminate his character and what we can do about the effects that he represents.", "topics": [ "fame" ], "suttas": [ "SN 4.19", "SN 35.114", "SN 35.115" ] }, { "id": "duKh6_nXJtc", "title": "Greatness and Wisdom: Two Opinions", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duKh6_nXJtc", "date": "2018-11-19", "description": "What is human greatness? What makes someone wise? We'll look at a couple of opinions on these matters, the Buddha's and that of another powerful and influential person of his day.", "topics": [ "wisdom/panna" ], "suttas": [ "AN 4.35" ] }, { "id": "t7IML62w668", "title": "Did the Buddha Feel Pain?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7IML62w668", "date": "2018-11-15", "description": "One question we may have is whether the achievement of awakening -- or even that of being a Buddha -- means we no longer experience pain. We'll consider that question, with an emphasis on what the early texts say about what the awakened experience might be like.", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening", "success/achievement", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "SN 36.6", "MN 53", "MN 140", "Iti 44", "DN 16" ] }, { "id": "sKKyMYASLVs", "title": "What's Up With Buddhist Celibacy?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKKyMYASLVs", "date": "2018-11-12", "description": "This Q&A episode will tackle a few viewers' questions including one about celibacy in monastic Buddhist practice. We'll also consider questions about a regular exercise routine and how Buddhism might help with mild depression.", "topics": [ "exercise/body", "sangha/community" ], "suttas": [ "MN 22" ] }, { "id": "aoxagmtSHI0", "title": "The Buddha's Competitors: Unearthing the Dharma", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoxagmtSHI0", "date": "2018-11-08", "description": "In the early texts the Buddha speaks of six main teachers of his day with whom he disagrees. We will look at those six, and their ideas as presented in the early canonical material. We'll also take a look at a seventh major competitor to early Buddhism that we find throughout the texts.", "topics": [ "suttas/early texts", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "DN 1", "DN 2", "MN 77" ] }, { "id": "618KfK1zESM", "title": "Avoiding Teacher Misconduct: the Buddha's Advice", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=618KfK1zESM", "date": "2018-11-05", "description": "Buddhist teacher misconduct has been in the news recently. We'll consider some ways the Buddha's teachings can point us to a more skillful and secure relationship to teachers and to the teachings themselves.", "topics": [ "relationships/love", "skillful/unskillful action" ], "suttas": [ "AN 5.250", "DN 16", "SN 56.31" ] }, { "id": "wFtWu4hDMME", "title": "Is the Buddha a Christian Saint?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFtWu4hDMME", "date": "2018-11-01", "description": "Did you know the Buddha is a Christian saint? We'll look at the convoluted history of the story of Barlaam and Josaphat, its origins in early Buddhism, and some lessons it holds for today. Books: Donald Lopez, From Stone to Flesh: https://amzn.to/2pecgjB Donald Lopez and Peggy McCracken, In Search of the Christian Buddha: https://amzn.to/2NjtOZP A YouTube video of Donald Lopez discussing the legend: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0isDs6EAU0 The Golden Legend Story of Barlaam and Josaphat: https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/basis/goldenlegend/GoldenLegend-Volume7.asp#Barlaam Some additional reading: http://www.daannijssen.com/2016/08/16/how-buddha-became-a-catholic-saint/ http://www.patheos.com/blogs/americanbuddhist/2017/11/buddhists-christians-share-saint-barlaam-josaphat.html https://www.lionsroar.com/reviews-how-the-buddha-became-st-josaphat/ http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02297a.htm Images of Barlaam, Josaphat, and Avenir courtesy of The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles. Image of Sixtus V courtesy of Wikimedia.", "topics": [ "Buddha (historical)", "Lopez, Donald", "religion", "McCracken, Peggy" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "MqAW6BU2O_8", "title": "Buddhism's Three Marks of Existence: Deepest Part of the Dharma", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqAW6BU2O_8", "date": "2018-10-29", "description": "Buddhism's three marks of existence are the deepest part of the dharma. We will discuss what they are, and how there are subtle differences between their scope. We'll then look at how they were emphasized in different ways throughout history, and how they've made a strong comeback in the modern world due to one influential teacher.", "topics": [ "impermanence", "Fronsdal, Gil" ], "suttas": [ "AN 3.136" ] }, { "id": "Kt2jMkOTrqA", "title": "Is Philosophy Still Relevant? It Needs Taking Back", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kt2jMkOTrqA", "date": "2018-10-25", "description": "Philosophy in the West needs broadening. We'll look at a recent book by Bryan Van Norden that argues that Western philosophy has for far too long been parochial in its outlook towards non-Western thinkers. We'll consider the history behind this problem, look at some areas of overlap between West and East, and finally answer the question as to whether philosophy is still relevant to us today.", "topics": [ "Van Norden, Bryan", "philosophy" ], "suttas": [ "MN 60", "SN 5.10" ] }, { "id": "HbXG-xMBTTY", "title": "Hidden History: Were There Originally Two Buddhist Refuges?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbXG-xMBTTY", "date": "2018-10-22", "description": "Nowadays traditional Buddhism involves taking the so-called \"three refuges\": refuge in the Buddha, dharma, and sangha. How many refuges were there in the Buddha's day? We'll look at the early accounts where the Buddha recommended we have only two refuges, and consider how history may have developed from there.", "topics": [ "Buddha (historical)", "sangha/community", "three refuges", "Shults, Brett" ], "suttas": [ "DN 16", "SN 22.43", "SN 47.9", "SN 47.13", "SN 47.14", "SN 55.53" ] }, { "id": "taz55McTJ8E", "title": "Five Ways We Construct Ourselves", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taz55McTJ8E", "date": "2018-10-18", "description": "We construct our own identities throughout our lives. While these constructs can be useful and healthy at times, often they are not, and in the longer term they can get in our own way. Using a Buddhist understanding of the person we will look at five basic ways we construct our own self identities and so five ways we can wisely look to undo those identities.", "topics": [ "five aggregates", "self/identity" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "V4894Ug8Y3c", "title": "King Asoka: Buddhism's Great Political Modernist", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4894Ug8Y3c", "date": "2018-10-15", "description": "King Aśoka was arguably Buddhism's most important political convert. We'll look at how his edicts were modern, enlightened, and inclusive, bringing to fruition a Buddhist approach to society and politics.", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening", "politics", "Gombrich, Richard" ], "suttas": [ "MN 56" ] }, { "id": "864ksDOZwXk", "title": "Women in Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=864ksDOZwXk", "date": "2018-10-08", "description": "We'll take a look at the history of women in Buddhism, focusing mainly on the period of the Buddha and his immediate followers. Then we'll spend a little time looking at later developments, before finishing up with the fascinating story of an early nun who is responsible for one of the most famous analogies in all of Buddhism.", "topics": [ "fame", "time/momentariness", "Samuel, Geoffrey" ], "suttas": [ "AN 8.51", "SN 5.2", "AN 7.51", "Snp 3.9", "AN 1.278-286", "SN 5.10" ] }, { "id": "e-VT5lTopmE", "title": "The Four Sights of Buddha: Beneath the Legends", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-VT5lTopmE", "date": "2018-10-01", "description": "Many of us will be familiar with the legend of the four sights that Siddhattha Gotama encountered on leaving his father's palace for the first time at age twenty nine. We'll look at that legend, its sources, and consider what might have been the real history behind it.", "topics": [ "Buddha (historical)", "time/momentariness", "Piya Tan", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "SN 56.11", "MN 26", "AN 3.39", "AN 5.57", "DN 14" ] }, { "id": "MEu4kzfUSDk", "title": "The Five Reflections", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEu4kzfUSDk", "date": "2018-09-24", "description": "The Buddha recommended five reflections for regular contemplation by all. We will go through those five and then spend time with some larger considerations on the role of karma.", "topics": [ "karma", "time/momentariness" ], "suttas": [ "AN 5.57", "MN 135", "AN 5.161" ] }, { "id": "dOn1V71N4wk", "title": "Is Buddhism Pessimistic?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOn1V71N4wk", "date": "2018-09-17", "description": "Is Buddhism pessimistic? We'll talk about why one might think of Buddhism in that way, and whether or not that's really accurate. We'll also look at how Buddhism approaches difficulties that we find in the world, and why it's necessary to look at these difficulties with open eyes, no matter how happy and successful one may be in life.", "topics": [ "joy/happiness" ], "suttas": [ "SN 56.11" ] }, { "id": "8eQwk4OEeGU", "title": "Buddhism on Anxiety and Fear", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eQwk4OEeGU", "date": "2018-09-10", "description": "What does early Buddhism have to say about our fears and anxieties? We will look at some passages from the early texts and their commentaries to get insights into one particular practice that can help to alleviate anxiety and gain confidence.", "topics": [ "fear/anxiety", "suttas/early texts", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu", "Olendzki, Andrew", "Mace, Dan" ], "suttas": [ "Snp 1.8", "AN 4.67", "SN 20.5" ] }, { "id": "lRAW-GN4TUA", "title": "History of Zen Buddhism: Paradox and Tension", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRAW-GN4TUA", "date": "2018-09-03", "description": "Many people come in to Buddhist belief and practice through Zen, but not many people have an appreciation for its history. In this video we'll take a look at both its more and less legendary history, as well as the internal strains that led to the development of the two major schools of Zen.", "topics": [ "Zen" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "61S8ZkpeCDQ", "title": "Chronic Stress: Problems and Solutions", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61S8ZkpeCDQ", "date": "2018-08-27", "description": "Chronic stress causes us many problems in daily life. We'll look at seven ways it can impact us, and then turn to nine potential solutions to the syndrome of chronic stress. We'll find that many of the solutions supported by contemporary research mirror those found in early Buddhism.", "topics": [ "suffering/dukkha", "Sapolsky, Robert" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "oFc3PPS3-b8", "title": "What is the Middle Way in Early Buddhism?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFc3PPS3-b8", "date": "2018-08-20", "description": "What is the Buddhist Middle Way? We'll take a look at early Buddhism in particular, and some of the material found in suttas of the Pāli Canon. There we'll see there are a few related approaches to this topic, some immediate and down-to-earth, others more conceptual and philosophical.", "topics": [ "middle way", "philosophy", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "SN 56.11", "MN 14", "Ud 6.8", "SN 12.15" ] }, { "id": "YVZGzgFbnGg", "title": "History of Vajrayana or Tantric Buddhism: Power and Transgression", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVZGzgFbnGg", "date": "2018-08-13", "description": "We'll go over the history of tantric Buddhism, its origins as well as its differences from other forms of Buddhist belief and practice. Then we'll give an overall characterization of what constitutes this somewhat transgressive form of Buddhism. It’s a huge topic so this video should only be seen as an intro!", "topics": [ "Vajrayana", "sin (concept of)", "Gombrich, Richard", "Samuel, Geoffrey", "Davidson, Ronald" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "wi_hqpIu-vk", "title": "History of Mahayana Buddhism: Innovation and Perfection", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi_hqpIu-vk", "date": "2018-08-06", "description": "We'll take a quick overview of the history of Mahāyāna Buddhism, beginning with its earliest developments and how it separated from the rest of mainstream Buddhism. Then we'll look at a few of its later developments that came to define the Mahāyāna approach. It's a huge topic so this video only can provide an introduction!", "topics": [ "Mahayana", "Gombrich, Richard", "Analayo", "Gethin, Rupert", "Bronkhorst, Johannes" ], "suttas": [ "AN 8.8", "Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra" ] }, { "id": "L3N1gJqv7j4", "title": "Roots of secular Buddhism: Thailand", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3N1gJqv7j4", "date": "2018-07-30", "description": "Some of the roots of secular Buddhism go back to Thailand. We'll look at two of the fascinating characters that were instrumental in modernizing elements of Thai belief and practice, even as some of that modernization remains controversial to this day.", "topics": [ "secular Buddhism" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "S0B1xqTjt50", "title": "History of Theravada Buddhism: Very Old and Very New", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0B1xqTjt50", "date": "2018-07-23", "description": "Theravāda Buddhism can be seen both as very old and very new. We'll go over the ways Theravāda has roots in the earliest forms of Buddhism, as well as the way it may be a very recent form of religious identity. This is a huge topic and so the video should only be seen as the barest introduction!", "topics": [ "Theravada", "self/identity", "Gombrich, Richard", "Gethin, Rupert" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "FAazFDC8m6M", "title": "The Three Schools of Buddhism: Intro", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAazFDC8m6M", "date": "2018-07-16", "description": "We will look at the three major schools of Buddhism, in the sort of contemporary context YouTubers would be likely to encounter them. We'll highlight some of the similarities and differences in their styles of belief and practice. This is intended only as a very rough introduction though since there is WAY too much to deal with in a short video. Please put your own experiences down below!", "topics": [ "Buddhism (schools)", "Mahayana", "Vajrayana", "Samuel, Geoffrey" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "TfQyjLR1bvo", "title": "What's wrong with pleasure?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfQyjLR1bvo", "date": "2018-07-09", "description": "What's wrong with pleasure? It often seems as though sensory pleasures are an unalloyed good, the sorts of things that we should aim to gain as much of during our lifetimes as possible. The Buddha had a somewhat different view of them however, which we will consider in this video.", "topics": [ "pleasure", "views/ditthi" ], "suttas": [ "MN 13" ] }, { "id": "_K80hx9EhL0", "title": "Do We Need to be Attached to be Kind?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K80hx9EhL0", "date": "2018-07-02", "description": "Does kindness require emotional attachment and identification with one another? Several prominent ethical systems promote the idea that our altruistic tendencies are based on emotional closeness and familiarity. We'll look at a few of those systems, as well as a Buddhist alternative. I hope you'll stick around for the third section where we'll get to the real meat of the matter: what difference these ideas could make in the world!", "topics": [ "attachment/clinging", "sila/ethics", "Kornfield, Jack" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "avVf6LNx32E", "title": "What is Buddhist Nonattachment?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avVf6LNx32E", "date": "2018-06-25", "description": "We'll look at aspects of the Buddhist idea of nonattachment in this video, asking what it means and how we might go about practicing it. We will also look at the \"near enemy\" of nonattachment, something that should not be confused with it.", "topics": [ "letting go", "Goldstein, Joseph" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "sxQI57m4fNs", "title": "Don't Buy This Book! (Oxford Handbook of Buddhist Ethics clickbait title 🙂).", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxQI57m4fNs", "date": "2018-06-18", "description": "My good friend Justin Whitaker and I have a paper in the recently published Oxford Handbook of Buddhist Ethics. I'll discuss some aspects of our paper, how it relates to Buddhist ethics, and some other interesting points before getting to the meat of the matter: why you shouldn't buy this book!", "topics": [ "sila/ethics" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "FVpdon6YErY", "title": "How Compassion Became Empathy in Buddhist Meditation", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVpdon6YErY", "date": "2018-06-11", "description": "Buddhist compassion practice changed radically over the first few centuries following the Buddha's passing. One way it changed is outlined in a paper by Buddhist scholar Anālayo: compassion practice became more of a practice of empathy. This development coincided with a number of other interesting changes in Buddhist belief and practice that we will outline in this video.", "topics": [ "compassion", "meditation", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "AN 4.95" ] }, { "id": "VeShNoUXnxw", "title": "Is Desire the Root of Suffering?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeShNoUXnxw", "date": "2018-06-07", "description": "It is sometimes said that desire is the root of suffering, or that the Buddha claimed such a thing. We will look at the ways in which desire can be unskillful, including some that are very close to our hearts, and other ways in which desires can in fact be skillful. We will see that far from being solely the root of suffering, desire can also be the root of the escape from suffering.", "topics": [ "skillful/unskillful action", "suffering/dukkha" ], "suttas": [ "AN 7.11", "SN 36.6" ] }, { "id": "0K0zyE4RseU", "title": "Buddhist Compassion Meditation: a Brief History", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0K0zyE4RseU", "date": "2018-06-04", "description": "Buddhist compassion meditation practices changed dramatically during the millennium from the Buddha's lifetime to the lifetimes of some of his most famous commentators. Using a paper by the gifted scholar Anālayo as a guide, we will look at the earliest recorded compassion practices and at practices found in works by the later philosophers and commentators Buddhaghosa and Vasubandhu.", "topics": [ "Buddha (historical)", "compassion", "fame", "meditation", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "MN 99" ] }, { "id": "jpkQ18tk644", "title": "What's the point of practice?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpkQ18tk644", "date": "2018-05-31", "description": "It often happens that those of us with a regular -- or irregular! -- practice will come to a place of wondering: \"What's the point?\" We'll discuss the nature of these completely normal doubts and ways to deal with them. We'll also try to deal with the question of what the point is of it all.", "topics": [ "nature/environment" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "4SCcl9lCFk8", "title": "Start with Yourself", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SCcl9lCFk8", "date": "2018-05-24", "description": "We all want to make the world a better place, but doing so can be at times difficult, frustrating, even stressful. Rather than turning towards cynicism, why not start making the world a better place by working with yourself? Bhikkhu Bodhi's anthology on the Buddha's teachings on social and communal harmony: http://amzn.to/2G2XeXY A good article notes that work on oneself should not preclude work on the larger society (may be paywalled): https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/self-help-gurus-like-tony-robbins-have-often-stood-in-the-way-of-social-change/2018/04/13/15340974-3e70-11e8-8d53-eba0ed2371cc_story.html", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening", "work/livelihood", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "4BnF8MShrBM", "title": "When Anger Takes Over: Brittle Metta", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BnF8MShrBM", "date": "2018-05-21", "description": "We may practice kindness, but anger and hatred will take over at times. We'll deal with one syndrome involving anger and talk about ways to approach it that may be helpful.", "topics": [ "anger", "metta/loving-kindness", "Nhat Hanh, Thich" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "L3XTb_Cd-fc", "title": "Practice is Weeding", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3XTb_Cd-fc", "date": "2018-05-17", "description": "Daily practice along the path is like weeding our yard. Weeds tend to sprout if the ground lies unattended, but by diligent effort we can make a difference. We'll consider that metaphor in this video.", "topics": [ "weeding" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "XkJpp7rNBTA", "title": "Is Nirvana Indescribable? Is it Permanent?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkJpp7rNBTA", "date": "2018-05-14", "description": "Nirvana or the awakened state is often said to be indescribable, and typically understood as permanent. We'll consider both of these claims, and look at a neat thought experiment by philosopher Frank Jackson along the way.", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening", "nirvana/nibbana", "philosophy" ], "suttas": [ "SN 43.12", "Ud 8.10", "MN 140", "MN 29" ] }, { "id": "r5oncPD7jKo", "title": "Controversies Over Clothing and Food", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5oncPD7jKo", "date": "2018-05-10", "description": "Some of the Buddha's dictates over clothing and food became controversial in the early history of the saṅgha. Indeed, aspects of them are still controversial today. We'll discuss those controversies in this video in their historical context and consider how we might approach them today.", "topics": [ "food/eating", "sangha/community" ], "suttas": [ "Snp 2.2", "MN 55", "Vinaya, Khandhaka 17" ] }, { "id": "k8T0K8MHTR0", "title": "Clothes and Identity", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8T0K8MHTR0", "date": "2018-05-07", "description": "One way we create our identity is with our clothes. Here we’ll discuss robes that traditional monastics use, and consider how they differ from the clothing that the rest of us use. We’ll also consider ways that we can make contemplation of clothing a part of our practice.", "topics": [ "self/identity" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "KDVzuAWj7CU", "title": "Secular Practice with Images and Rituals", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDVzuAWj7CU", "date": "2018-04-30", "description": "Many of us have questions about including images or rituals in secular Buddhist practice. We may find the idea congenial, on the other hand we may have an aversion to traditional forms of practice, or indeed we may come from a different religious background altogether. In this video we will consider adding chants, bells, incense, images, and other similar trappings of more traditional practice to our repertoire.", "topics": [ "anger", "secular Buddhism" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "isrRbIiHwvc", "title": "Breaking Our Sense Sphere Attachments", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isrRbIiHwvc", "date": "2018-04-26", "description": "What are the \"sense spheres\" and how do they get us attached in unskillful ways? How do we go about breaking these attachments? We'll discuss all that in this video.", "topics": [ "skillful/unskillful action" ], "suttas": [ "SN 35.232", "MN 148", "SN 35.153" ] }, { "id": "_2LGiwbWpj8", "title": "Kindness Towards Everyone?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LGiwbWpj8", "date": "2018-04-23", "description": "When we practice loving kindness, are we really supposed to direct kindness towards everyone? Does everyone really deserve kindness? We will look at the early texts as well as a recent article in Tricycle Magazine by scholar Andrew Olendzki. We will also consider some of the teachings of Socrates and the ancient Greeks.", "topics": [ "metta/loving-kindness", "suttas/early texts", "Olendzki, Andrew" ], "suttas": [ "Snp 1.8" ] }, { "id": "dOsZ6g9pG9Y", "title": "Perfectionism Social and Personal", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOsZ6g9pG9Y", "date": "2018-04-19", "description": "Many of us are perfectionists of one kind or another, and perfectionism has its benefits. It also has its darker side, which we will consider in today's video: both in a sociopolitical sense and in a personal sense. We will finish up by considering a few ways that the Buddha appears not to have been a perfectionist about aspects of the early saṅgha.", "topics": [ "sangha/community" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "op7GUt8_x5E", "title": "Mindfulness of Dharmas Part 2", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op7GUt8_x5E", "date": "2018-04-16", "description": "Fourth and last of the foundations of mindfulness is Mindfulness of Dharmas. In this second half of our introduction, we will continue going through the practices involved in this foundation. In particular we will go through mindfulness of the factors of awakening, and of the Four Noble Truths in this video. Part 1 is here: https://youtu.be/B6P5q2tGu5Q", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening", "four noble truths", "mindfulness", "satipatthana", "seven factors of awakening", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "MN 10" ] }, { "id": "B6P5q2tGu5Q", "title": "Mindfulness of Dharmas Part 1", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6P5q2tGu5Q", "date": "2018-04-12", "description": "Fourth and last of the foundations of mindfulness is Mindfulness of Dharmas. In this introduction, we will discuss what that means in this context, and begin going through the practices involved in this foundation. In particular we will go through mindfulness of the hindrances, of the aggregates, and of the sense-spheres in this video.", "topics": [ "hindrances", "mindfulness", "satipatthana", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "MN 10", "MN 148" ] }, { "id": "ui8IJ5bJLPI", "title": "Buddhist Practice or Psychotherapy?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ui8IJ5bJLPI", "date": "2018-04-09", "description": "Buddhist practice shares many similarities to psychotherapy, and many contemporary psychologists are learning about Buddhist practice in order to deepen their own. However they also have some important differences that must be kept in mind. What are they, and when should we seek one or the other?", "topics": [ "therapy/psychology" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "-sWv88hQ7Tk", "title": "What is Protestant Buddhism?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sWv88hQ7Tk", "date": "2018-04-05", "description": "\"Protestant Buddhism\" is one phrase scholars have used to describe changes that Buddhism has undergone in its encounter with modernity. We will look at that phrase, these changes, and their ongoing impact on belief and practice.", "topics": [ "Buddhism (protestant)", "Gombrich, Richard", "Olendzki, Andrew", "Fuller, Paul", "Rajapakse, Vijitha" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "lI83n5gE7yw", "title": "Buddhist & Stoic Wisdom for a Skeptical Age", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI83n5gE7yw", "date": "2018-04-02", "description": "Today we will look at Antonia Macaro's great new book \"More Than Happiness: Buddhist and Stoic Wisdom for a Sceptical Age\". We'll consider what it says about the projects early Buddhism and Stoicism have in common, as well as mention some interesting questions she raises. You can find the book here: http://amzn.to/2E9A5jf", "topics": [ "joy/happiness", "stoicism", "wisdom/panna", "Macaro, Antonia" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "e2GC207-Fpg", "title": "The Five Aggregates of Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2GC207-Fpg", "date": "2018-03-26", "description": "What are the five aggregates of Buddhism? The Buddha analyzed the person into these parts. We will look at each of them and how they can in turn be analyzed into further parts. We will also consider how understanding this analysis can help us in our practice.", "topics": [ "five aggregates" ], "suttas": [ "SN 22.57", "AN 4.49" ] }, { "id": "PNZRDPpszkI", "title": "What is Insight (Vipassana) Meditation?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNZRDPpszkI", "date": "2018-03-22", "description": "Insight or vipassana meditation is a relatively recent form of Buddhist practice, but one with deep roots back into history. We will discuss its characteristics, its history, and distinguish it from other popular forms of Buddhist meditation.", "topics": [ "meditation", "vipassana/insight", "Braun, Erik" ], "suttas": [ "MN 10" ] }, { "id": "ytEYBK9dJrA", "title": "Mindfulness of Mind", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytEYBK9dJrA", "date": "2018-03-19", "description": "Mindfulness of mind is the third of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. We will look at its importance to ethical thought and action, as well as to locating ourselves along the path. There are lots of important lessons to gain from this practice.", "topics": [ "mindfulness", "satipatthana", "sila/ethics", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "MN 10" ] }, { "id": "cCRNnHrqhwA", "title": "Politics, Religion, and Engaged Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCRNnHrqhwA", "date": "2018-03-15", "description": "With the advent of \"engaged Buddhism\", Buddhism in the modern world has taken an emphasis on political involvement. We will look at some of the history of religious involvement in politics, with a particular focus on Buddhism, and ask how Buddhism can work best in a secular context.", "topics": [ "politics", "work/livelihood", "Rahula, Walpola" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "cJU7-wVQIeg", "title": "Mindfulness of Feelings", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJU7-wVQIeg", "date": "2018-03-12", "description": "The second of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness is mindfulness of feelings. While sometimes it is overlooked, this is perhaps the most important foundation, at least in revealing the causal links that produce our worldly discontent. We will look at these links and at the worldly and unworldly aspects of this practice.", "topics": [ "mindfulness", "satipatthana", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "MN 10" ] }, { "id": "1PRKCG7MuE8", "title": "First Year Anniversary!", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PRKCG7MuE8", "date": "2018-03-08", "description": "Wow, it’s hard to believe a year has already passed since publishing my first video on YouTube! In the interim we’ve had a busy time going through some of the dharma of early Buddhism, with a focus on contemporary practice and experience. Here’s a look back with some thoughts on the channel going forward. Links to some key past videos: The Eightfold Path: https://youtu.be/bi8OeCuzHKc The Four Noble Truths: https://youtu.be/9WXCyqdP7s8 Dependent Origination: https://youtu.be/A2cDhGVgb9A Considering Karma: https://youtu.be/oN5292K60yc Buddhism and Stoicism: https://youtu.be/wJ0iQiNf6ZE Buddha and Jesus on Wealth: https://youtu.be/wXYAY-zmNGs Buddhist Economics: https://youtu.be/Y6fAWKCtiik Meditation 101: https://youtu.be/dhjCrWI_Yq4 Sticking with Practice: https://youtu.be/EQsd6D_9jg4 Spiritual Materialism: https://youtu.be/cSHKsFBytM0 Spiritual Bypassing: https://youtu.be/9vD0tOuE2lk", "topics": [ "conditionality", "dependent origination", "eightfold path", "four noble truths", "karma", "meditation", "spirituality", "stoicism", "time/momentariness", "wealth/money", "work/livelihood" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "UeZ45FoKcN8", "title": "Buddhism and Climate Change", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeZ45FoKcN8", "date": "2018-03-05", "description": "Recently the renowned translator and activist Bhikkhu Bodhi gave a daylong event on Buddhism and climate change. Today's video summarizes his concerns and diagnoses, and looks at some aspects of Buddhist practice that can help us in our daily struggles with this key issue. Bhikkhu Bodhi's organization Buddhist Global Relief: https://www.buddhistglobalrelief.org/index.php/en/", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening", "nature/environment", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "xbdBIFEvAPY", "title": "On Taste and Connoisseurship", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbdBIFEvAPY", "date": "2018-03-01", "description": "Is it important or worthwhile to cultivate refined taste or connoisseurship in one's aesthetic preferences? This often seems to be one of the aims of formal education. We'll look at some Western thinking around the notion of refined pleasures, and then look at some of the Buddha's thoughts on the same topic.", "topics": [ "aesthetics", "art", "pleasure", "Gombrich, Richard", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "SN 35.88", "Snp 4.11", "SN 36.31" ] }, { "id": "6h-1RdcJ5h4", "title": "Mindfulness of the Body", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6h-1RdcJ5h4", "date": "2018-02-26", "description": "Mindfulness of the body is the heart of much contemporary meditation practice. We'll look at it today with a focus on the original texts, which provide a great array of related practices. We will see ways that the older approach is complex and profound, and at times challenges our contemporary approach to meditation.", "topics": [ "meditation", "mindfulness", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [ "MN 10" ] }, { "id": "ydYLXYvz6oA", "title": "Intro to Buddhist Art", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydYLXYvz6oA", "date": "2018-02-22", "description": "What are some of the hallmarks of Buddhist art, and how has it developed over the years? These are big questions that we will only begin to tackle in this video. We'll look at Buddhist art with an emphasis on its origins, and finally ask the question whether anything really qualifies as Buddhist art at all!", "topics": [ "art" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "05VjKBsuTfY", "title": "Who Cares What the Buddha Thought?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05VjKBsuTfY", "date": "2018-02-19", "description": "It's a good question. We'll consider some of the reasons why someone with a secular outlook should care what the Buddha thought, as well as other aspects of this question. Walpola Rahula: What the Buddha Taught http://amzn.to/2EfUuWm Richard Gombrich: What the Buddha Thought http://amzn.to/2E74YE5", "topics": [ "Buddha (historical)", "Gombrich, Richard", "Rahula, Walpola", "secular Buddhism" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "N9ltD8wYQCQ", "title": "Was the Buddha Bald?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9ltD8wYQCQ", "date": "2018-02-15", "description": "We usually think of the Buddha as having a full head of hair, but it may not always have been so. Today we'll look at some of the history of Buddhist iconography, and take some lessons about how viewpoints can change over time.", "topics": [ "time/momentariness" ], "suttas": [ "DN 30", "DN 3", "Snp 1.7", "Snp 3.4", "DN 2" ] }, { "id": "gSZjKKuvHEQ", "title": "The Buddha on Self and Non-Self", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSZjKKuvHEQ", "date": "2018-02-12", "description": "The Buddha's teachings on the self and on non-self are some of his most subtle, interesting, and unique. We'll take a look at them in this video. We'll also compare the Buddha's view of the self with that of western philosophers David Hume and Derek Parfit.", "topics": [ "non-self/anatta", "views/ditthi", "Hume, David", "Parfit, Derek" ], "suttas": [ "MN 2", "SN 44.10", "AN 3.40", "Dhp", "Ud 5.1", "SN 35.23", "SN 22.59", "MN 22" ] }, { "id": "wXYAY-zmNGs", "title": "Buddha and Jesus on Wealth", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXYAY-zmNGs", "date": "2018-02-08", "description": "Both the Buddha and Jesus viewed wealth as problematic in various respects, but their approaches differed in important ways due to their historical backgrounds and outlooks. We'll consider both the views of the historical Jesus as well as those of the Buddha in order to compare and contrast their approaches.", "topics": [ "views/ditthi", "wealth/money" ], "suttas": [ "AN 5.41", "AN 8.54" ] }, { "id": "Hf1E91yKtvQ", "title": "The Buddha and Free Will", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf1E91yKtvQ", "date": "2018-02-05", "description": "What might the Buddha have thought about free will? To answer that question we'll look at the history of the concept in Western philosophy, and then consider how it applies to early Buddhism. We will find that the Buddha would have accepted a couple of related senses of the phrase.", "topics": [ "free will/determinism", "Federman, Asaf" ], "suttas": [ "SN 22.59", "DN 1", "DN 2", "AN 3.61", "AN 10.13" ] }, { "id": "Aa5cyQBBy-g", "title": "The Kālāma Sutta: the Buddha's Charter of Free Inquiry", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa5cyQBBy-g", "date": "2018-02-01", "description": "The Buddha's discourse to the Kālāmas outlines a charter of free inquiry. It strikes us today as expressing a very modern approach to the world. We'll look at how that is, and its down-to-earth take on ethics and knowledge.", "topics": [ "epistemology", "sila/ethics", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "AN 3.65" ] }, { "id": "PUr-X8Q-HcY", "title": "Was the Buddha a Philosopher?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUr-X8Q-HcY", "date": "2018-01-29", "description": "The Buddha had some very interesting things to say, but was he a philosopher? Justin Whitaker and I recently wrote a paper on this topic, which I'll discuss here. You can find the paper at: https://www.academia.edu/25162453/Reading_the_Buddha_as_a_Philosopher Justin's great blog: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/americanbuddhist/", "topics": [ "philosophy" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "A2cDhGVgb9A", "title": "What is Dependent Origination in Early Buddhism?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2cDhGVgb9A", "date": "2018-01-25", "description": "The Buddhist notion of dependent origination is a complicated and difficult subject. We'll look at its manifestation in the early teachings, in its canonical twelve-step formula as well as in formulations that are simpler. Then we'll tackle the question of how to unbind oneself from the chain altogether.", "topics": [ "conditionality", "dependent origination", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [ "MN 28", "SN 12.1", "Snp 4.11", "DN 15" ] }, { "id": "qkpne2xaNGs", "title": "Our Stories: Are They Everything?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkpne2xaNGs", "date": "2018-01-22", "description": "We structure our lives through our stories, but in what ways can they lead us astray? We'll look at how story is important using some comments by YouTube filmmaker Casey Neistat. Then we'll look at the story of the Buddha, and the stories many of us use to understand our pasts and futures.", "topics": [ "Neistat, Casey", "self/identity" ], "suttas": [ "MN 13", "MN 14" ] }, { "id": "gFcP0ZnqHSQ", "title": "Knowledge and Wisdom: What's the Deal?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFcP0ZnqHSQ", "date": "2018-01-18", "description": "What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom? Should our aim be to pursue one or the other? We'll look at these questions in this video, and also discuss the role of contemporary skepticism and science.", "topics": [ "epistemology", "wisdom/panna" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "9WXCyqdP7s8", "title": "What are the Four Noble Truths?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WXCyqdP7s8", "date": "2018-01-15", "description": "The Four Noble Truths are the heart of Buddhist philosophy, but they wouldn't have been the first thing we encountered when learning the teaching. We will look at where they fit into the path, then each of the truths in turn, and finish with a different take on the teaching, as tasks or practices.", "topics": [ "four noble truths" ], "suttas": [ "MN 56", "SN 56.11" ] }, { "id": "ZWs3yaOMcZo", "title": "The Guardians of the World", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWs3yaOMcZo", "date": "2018-01-11", "description": "Two emotional states play a key ethical role in early Buddhism. We'll look at these states that the Buddha called \"the guardians of the world\", and discuss how awareness of them can help our practice and our life.", "topics": [ "sila/ethics", "Salzberg, Sharon" ], "suttas": [ "AN 2.9", "MN 61" ] }, { "id": "oN5292K60yc", "title": "Considering Karma", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN5292K60yc", "date": "2018-01-08", "description": "Let's consider karma. We’ll go over three problems with the Buddhist notion of karma. Then we’ll discuss how the Buddha defined the term, and how his usage was innovative and different in its time. We'll see that there is a way to recover a useful sense of the term, so we can understand it in a contemporary context.", "topics": [ "karma", "time/momentariness" ], "suttas": [ "SN 36.21", "AN 6.63" ] }, { "id": "s0SBxp5Hpok", "title": "The Dalai Lama's Secular Turn", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0SBxp5Hpok", "date": "2018-01-04", "description": "Is the Dalai Lama a secular Buddhist? In two of his recent books he has outlined a universal, secular ethical program grounded in basic human values that are shared by believers and nonbelievers alike. We will take a look at these two books and discuss some of their conclusions and implications.", "topics": [ "Vajrayana", "secular Buddhism", "sila/ethics", "Dalai Lama" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "8Kdkh7VYPM0", "title": "Why Be Generous?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Kdkh7VYPM0", "date": "2017-12-21", "description": "Why be generous? The first subject the Buddha would typically discuss with lay audiences was generosity. We will look at the Buddha's outward and inward advice: to whom one should give, and what reasons one should have for giving.", "topics": [ "generosity/dana" ], "suttas": [ "AN 8.31", "AN 7.52" ] }, { "id": "A5AdRLFantE", "title": "Neistat and Einstein on the Good Life", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5AdRLFantE", "date": "2017-12-18", "description": "YouTuber Casey Neistat and physicist Albert Einstein had contrasting ideas of what might constitute the good life. We'll look at both of them and compare them with some ideas from Aristotle and early Buddhism. To find the section of Casey's video cited above, see: https://youtu.be/YaGKf6266PY?t=7m50s For a nice discussion of Einstein's approach to happiness, this is a video I found just recently: https://youtu.be/h_6EcIc4l1g", "topics": [ "joy/happiness", "rhetoric/debate" ], "suttas": [ "AN 6.20", "AN 6.55" ] }, { "id": "8wstShpo3Y8", "title": "Buddhists of Other Religions", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wstShpo3Y8", "date": "2017-12-14", "description": "Can you be a Buddhist and a Christian, a Jew, or member of some other religion? We will take a look at that question and investigate how such cross-fertilization works with a secular approach to Buddhist belief and practice. Related video: a Zen-Catholic nun https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugsuQVCGS-U", "topics": [ "Zen" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "9ge9N5aw2Jc", "title": "The Buddha's Surprising Advice to Converts", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ge9N5aw2Jc", "date": "2017-12-11", "description": "When folks converted from competing religions or philosophies to the Buddha's dhamma, he had a couple of pieces of advice that might surprise some of us. We will look at that advice and some lessons we can take away from them for today's world.", "topics": [ "sangha/community" ], "suttas": [ "MN 56", "AN 8.12", "AN 3.57" ] }, { "id": "hBgSBanF4TU", "title": "One Way the Dharma Can Bite Us", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBgSBanF4TU", "date": "2017-12-07", "description": "If we misuse the dharma it can come back to bite us: this is the upshot of one famous sutta. We will look at this sutta and consider some of its implications for our approach to the Buddha's teachings both online and in person. Suttas discussed in this video: Alagaddūpama Sutta: https://suttacentral.net/en/mn22 Kālāma Sutta: https://suttacentral.net/en/an3.65", "topics": [ "fame", "suttas/early texts", "technology" ], "suttas": [ "MN 22", "AN 3.65" ] }, { "id": "HYfYXYbZE20", "title": "What Did the Buddha Say About Prayer?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYfYXYbZE20", "date": "2017-12-04", "description": "Many contemporary Buddhists make prayer part of their practice. We will look at the early texts to see what the Buddha seems to have thought about such activities. Ken McLeod's article on Buddhist prayer in Tricycle magazine (may be paywalled): https://tricycle.org/magazine/where-the-thinking-stops/", "topics": [ "prayer", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [ "AN 5.43", "SN 42.6" ] }, { "id": "Wl6b3fFUbLE", "title": "Quit Comparing Yourself!", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl6b3fFUbLE", "date": "2017-11-30", "description": "It's said that all comparisons are invidious. Early Buddhism understands personal comparisons as varieties of conceit, of which there are three basic types. We'll look at those types in this video and consider why they are unskillful.", "topics": [ "pride/conceit", "skillful/unskillful action" ], "suttas": [ "SN 22.49", "AN 4.159" ] }, { "id": "4bGPtICK2Ns", "title": "Why Buddhism Isn't a Religion", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bGPtICK2Ns", "date": "2017-11-27", "description": "We'll look at three ways that Buddhism isn't a religion, focusing on early Buddhism in particular. Of course, Buddhism has religious aspects. However it also can be seen as something entirely non-religious, more in the vein of a school of philosophy.", "topics": [ "philosophy", "religion", "secular Buddhism" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "IFqyXzipnKo", "title": "On Gratitude", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFqyXzipnKo", "date": "2017-11-23", "description": "Thanksgiving is a good time to reflect on the great number of people for whom we should be grateful. This includes not only the folks close to us, or who we know well, but also includes those whom we may never lay eyes on. So many people are responsible for our living a life as good as we live today. We will also consider three important causes of ingratitude, from Nyanadassana's pamphlet that can be downloaded here: http://www.buddhistelibrary.org/library/download.php?aipath=405", "topics": [ "gratitude", "time/momentariness" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "cSHKsFBytM0", "title": "Spiritual Materialism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSHKsFBytM0", "date": "2017-11-20", "description": "What is spiritual materialism and how can it get in the way of our progress along the path? Spiritual materialism is a concept that originates from the Tibetan teacher Chögyam Trungpa. We'll look at three different aspects of it, and discuss what an alternative approach would look like. Trungpa’s book: Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism http://amzn.to/2yYotMy", "topics": [ "progress", "spirituality" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "8O0Klh_pzjM", "title": "Judgment and Non-Judgment", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O0Klh_pzjM", "date": "2017-11-16", "description": "It is critical to our progress along the path that we make lucid judgments about skillful and unskillful thoughts and behaviors. At the same time though we are often enjoined to pursue a kind of non-judgmental awareness. How are these recommendations reconciled? Or are they completely at odds? We will look at this question in this video.", "topics": [ "progress", "skillful/unskillful action", "time/momentariness" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "ABQZpxOTqsg", "title": "What is the Present Moment?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABQZpxOTqsg", "date": "2017-11-13", "description": "The present moment, the \"now\" is often made the focus of our intention and practice, for many very good reasons. In this video we will turn to some of the more philosophical aspects of the present moment, in order to investigate certain problems that arise with it. At the end we will turn to practical implications of these problems. This is a bit of a propeller-head episode, so it may be a video you will need to watch more than once! For a good introduction to the physics of time, I'd suggest physicist Sean Carroll's book From Eternity to Here: http://amzn.to/2hvQW91 or his Great Courses series on Time: http://amzn.to/2zGUeuO", "topics": [ "philosophy", "time/momentariness", "Carroll, Sean" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "2nPjThn4Xrs", "title": "The Five Precepts", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nPjThn4Xrs", "date": "2017-11-09", "description": "The five precepts are the basis of Buddhist ethics, particularly as practiced in a lay context. What are the precepts, how should we think of them, and how should we use them as practice?", "topics": [ "five precepts", "sila/ethics" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "cwvsYDEIMIk", "title": "Why Read Early Buddhist Texts?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwvsYDEIMIk", "date": "2017-11-06", "description": "Why and how should we read the early Buddhist texts? We'll go through three reasons to read them, and outline three strategies to use when approaching them. Four texts to start with: (1) The Buddha's \"First Sermon\": http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn56/sn56.011.nymo.html (2) The Kālāma Sutta: https://suttacentral.net/en/an3.65 (3) The Water Snake Sutta: https://suttacentral.net/en/mn22 (4) The Dhammapada: https://suttacentral.net/en/dhp#1 There is also a very good translation of the Dhammapada by Gil Fronsdal. http://amzn.to/2hjfpuf Good sources: Bhikkhu Bodhi's book \"In the Buddha's Words\" http://amzn.to/2hiH4eT", "topics": [ "Dhammapada", "Pali canon", "enlightenment/awakening", "suttas/early texts", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu", "Fronsdal, Gil" ], "suttas": [ "AN 3.65", "MN 22", "Dhp" ] }, { "id": "9vD0tOuE2lk", "title": "Spiritual Bypassing", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vD0tOuE2lk", "date": "2017-11-02", "description": "Spiritual bypassing is a condition we can all fall into from time to time, even those of us who do not see ourselves on a \"spiritual\" path. What is the condition and how can we strive to avoid it?", "topics": [ "spirituality", "time/momentariness" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "M6mpzao9Gv4", "title": "Is Early Buddhism in Danger?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6mpzao9Gv4", "date": "2017-10-30", "description": "Academic study of early Buddhism has waned to near nothing, if a recent editorial by eminent scholar Richard Gombrich is anything to go on. I'll discuss why this should concern us.", "topics": [ "Buddhism (early)", "Gombrich, Richard" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "dhjCrWI_Yq4", "title": "Meditation 101", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhjCrWI_Yq4", "date": "2017-10-26", "description": "Ever thought about meditating, but weren't sure how to begin? This video goes through some of the basics involved in sitting and walking meditation. Just the right thing to get you started!", "topics": [ "meditation" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "EQsd6D_9jg4", "title": "Sticking with Practice: Five Keys", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQsd6D_9jg4", "date": "2017-10-23", "description": "I'm sure we all know that watching YouTube videos isn't really adequate as a form of practice. So how should we view our ongoing practice? How long will it take to reach the goal? In this video I'll discuss five keys we should use to engage best with practice.", "topics": [ "views/ditthi" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "2ZfKxMwTXrI", "title": "Three Strategies for Watching the News", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZfKxMwTXrI", "date": "2017-10-19", "description": "The news nowadays can be pretty stressful and depressing for many of us. Are there any strategies we can use to lessen its psychological impact on us? I'll outline three basic mindsets we can use, suggested by early Buddhist teachings, plus some additional thoughts.", "topics": [ "personal reflection" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "DWZAPjKlASM", "title": "Is Secular Buddhism an Oxymoron?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWZAPjKlASM", "date": "2017-10-16", "description": "It may seem like \"secular Buddhism\" is an oxymoron, a kind of contradiction in terms. But this depends on how we understand secularism, and how we understand Buddhism. Both concepts have a wide range of senses, which we will explore.", "topics": [ "secular Buddhism" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "-NN0RSjm1uk", "title": "Buddhist Fundamentalism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NN0RSjm1uk", "date": "2017-10-12", "description": "Recent events, particularly those involving the Rohingya in Burma and the role of nuns in Theravāda Buddhism, raise the question as to what constitutes Buddhist fundamentalism, and whether and how it might be different from its Western counterpart. We will look at the issue in a broad overview. For further reading please see my earlier essay On Buddhist Violence: http://secularbuddhism.org/2013/06/21/on-buddhist-violence/ Also see Justin Whitaker's recent essay: https://buddhism-controversy-blog.com/2017/09/13/revisiting-the-crisis-in-burma-and-buddhisms-role-in-it/ For a detailed discussion of the problem of nuns (bhikkhuni) in Theravāda Buddhism see this thread at Sutta Central: https://discourse.suttacentral.net/t/the-validity-of-bhikkhuni-ordination-by-bhikkhus-only-according-to-the-pali-vinaya/5489", "topics": [ "Theravada", "rhetoric/debate", "sangha/community", "suttas/early texts", "war/violence/nonviolence" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "meEKGu8VqHU", "title": "Why We Can't Have Nice Things", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meEKGu8VqHU", "date": "2017-10-09", "description": "We all like nice things, but our pursuit of them has important drawbacks. We'll look at some of those here, as well as evidence of a transmission fluid leak that I've been dealing with for the past year.", "topics": [ "attachment/clinging" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "SMlYDHW9EVY", "title": "Q&A: Bad Gurus", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMlYDHW9EVY", "date": "2017-10-05", "description": "Bad gurus: recently we've heard of various Buddhist gurus, teachers, and leaders displaying unskillful and even illegal conduct. Google searches should display relevant names and specifics so I won't go into the sordid details in the video. But I will have four general points to make on the topic, starting with a quick look at what kind of guidance we might find in the early texts.", "topics": [ "skillful/unskillful action", "suttas/early texts" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "FS5Orvr0iRE", "title": "Why Buddhism is True", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FS5Orvr0iRE", "date": "2017-10-02", "description": "Today we'll be taking a look at Robert Wright's new book Why Buddhism is True, some of its positives and negatives, and whether or not it fits well with secular Buddhism. The book: http://amzn.to/2ykd5ua Robert Wright's YouTube videos can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXOkY5npSnhVdSCQNIUwKshvpeNZsBpuO", "topics": [ "secular Buddhism", "Wright, Robert" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "CbB2TNQAku0", "title": "Buddhism and Stoicism 2: Five Differences", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbB2TNQAku0", "date": "2017-09-28", "description": "Buddhism and Stoicism are in many ways allied philosophies. However in this video we will look at five ways that they differ. We will be looking in specific at early Buddhism and Stoicism as reflected in its Classical Greek and Roman texts, and as explained in Massimo Pigliucci's recent book \"How to Be a Stoic\". Massimo's book can be found here: http://amzn.to/2ykf95o My previous video considered five ways that they were similar. While this video considers differences, their similarities overwhelm their differences, at least for most aspects of the path up until nearly its very end. For further on this topic I would recommend a YouTube discussion between Massimo Pigliucci and Robert Wright on Stoicism and Buddhism: https://youtu.be/qcEiF6_Uevo Greg Lopez's essay comparing Buddhist and Stoic notions of mindfulness can be found here: http://modernstoicism.com/sati-prosoche-buddhist-vs-stoic-mindfulness-compared-by-greg-lopez/", "topics": [ "mindfulness", "rhetoric/debate", "stoicism", "Pigliucci, Massimo", "Wright, Robert" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "wJ0iQiNf6ZE", "title": "Buddhism and Stoicism 1: Five Similarities", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJ0iQiNf6ZE", "date": "2017-09-25", "description": "Buddhism and Stoicism are in many ways allied philosophies. In this video we will look at five ways that they overlap. We will be looking in specific at early Buddhism and Stoicism as reflected in its Classical Greek and Roman texts, and as explained in Massimo Pigliucci's recent book \"How to Be a Stoic\". While my next video will consider five ways that they differ, their similarities overwhelm their differences, at least for most aspects of the path up until nearly its very end. If you want to see that next video, you can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbB2TNQAku0 Massimo's book: http://amzn.to/2ykf95o For more on this topic I'd recommend this YouTube discussion with Massimo Pigliucci and Robert Wright: https://youtu.be/qcEiF6_Uevo", "topics": [ "rhetoric/debate", "stoicism", "Pigliucci, Massimo", "Wright, Robert" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "DhVgoMouLy8", "title": "Right Concentration Extras", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhVgoMouLy8", "date": "2017-09-21", "description": "What are the so-called \"formless jhānas\" or formless attainments in meditation? That's one of the questions left on the cutting room floor after my video on Right Concentration. We'll also tackle the question of how concentration meditation has tended to be sidestepped in a modern context.", "topics": [ "concentration/samadhi", "meditation" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "GWcOb1y0xGk", "title": "What is Right Concentration?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWcOb1y0xGk", "date": "2017-09-18", "description": "The last stage along the Eightfold Path is Right Concentration. What sort of skills did this imply, at least in the context of early Buddhism? We will look at some of the Buddha's famous similes in order to make sense of the training. Book recommendation: Leigh Brasington's Right Concentration: https://amzn.to/2qz8nqy", "topics": [ "concentration/samadhi", "eightfold path", "fame", "Brasington, Leigh" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "Y6fAWKCtiik", "title": "Buddhist Economics?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6fAWKCtiik", "date": "2017-09-14", "description": "We look at Buddhism as an approach to economics, following two recent books: The Buddha on Wall Street by Vaddhaka Linn http://amzn.to/2hjEsgX Buddhist Economics by Prof. Clair Brown http://amzn.to/2hk1N29 We will consider whether what they propose is really Buddhist, and whether it's really economics. And we'll consider whether in the end it matters.", "topics": [ "Brown, Clair", "Linn, Vaddhaka", "work/livelihood" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "tocI-KHWIKY", "title": "What is Right Mindfulness?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tocI-KHWIKY", "date": "2017-09-11", "description": "Mindfulness meditation is increasingly popular nowadays, but its roots go back to early Buddhist texts associated with the seventh stage along the Eightfold Path. We will delve a little into these texts and attempt to flesh out the key aspects of mindfulness meditation in the early tradition. Two books I recommended in the video: Anālayo: Satipaṭṭhāna, the Direct Path to Realization: https://amzn.to/2qyy7CD Joseph Goldstein: Mindfulness, a Practical Guide to Awakening: https://amzn.to/2H1SPpw", "topics": [ "eightfold path", "enlightenment/awakening", "meditation", "mindfulness", "satipatthana", "Analayo", "Goldstein, Joseph" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "JoxesaVtYV0", "title": "What is Right Effort?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoxesaVtYV0", "date": "2017-09-07", "description": "Right effort is one of the more overlooked aspects of the Eightfold Path but may also be one of the most important. We'll discuss the four parts of right effort and how to distinguish effort from \"efforting\". Images in this video from the Metropolitan Museum and Pixabay. Music in this video: Greet the Day with Joy by AudioHero", "topics": [ "eightfold path", "entertainment/media", "joy/happiness", "right effort" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "dSOhWGgqMWA", "title": "What is Right Livelihood?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSOhWGgqMWA", "date": "2017-09-04", "description": "When looking at right livelihood within Buddhism, traditionally there are five prohibited livelihoods. However there is also a great deal of interesting additional material about inappropriate livelihoods for monastics, as well as a couple of wrong livelihoods for laypeople that the Buddha was reluctant to discuss. We'll go over it all! It's worth pointing out that the material about wrong livelihood for monastics may be product of a later interpolation. Anālayo suggests this in his Early Buddhist Meditation Studies, p. 169. If so then the issues I mentioned in the video might be product of dallying by later monastics with these practices, and its censure by those closer to the textual tradition, rather than any skepticism per se on the part of the Buddha himself. Music on this video:", "topics": [ "entertainment/media", "meditation", "right livelihood", "work/livelihood", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "BN2tNqwf37o", "title": "Q&A: Video Music and Nonself Vlogging", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN2tNqwf37o", "date": "2017-08-31", "description": "So I'll be asking you folks a question to start with, and then we'll consider the issue of doing a vlog while taking the Buddha's notion of non-self seriously. Are the two compatible or not?", "topics": [ "entertainment/media", "non-self/anatta" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "LgN3MT6m4zI", "title": "What Might the Buddha Say About Secular Buddhism?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgN3MT6m4zI", "date": "2017-08-28", "description": "What might the Buddha have thought about secular approaches to Buddhism? We will take a look at arguments found in a couple of early texts, the Apaṇṇaka and Sandaka Suttas, as jumping-off points. Our trip will take us through perhaps the earliest known materialist philosopher, as well as Blaise Pascal's wager for the existence of God. Then we will look at six possible responses to those arguments, taking inspiration from the Buddha's famous discourse to the Kālāmas, his discourse to the Householders of the Bamboo Gate, plus much more. It's a jam-packed episode! For Bhikkhu Bodhi's discussion of this see his book The Buddha's Teachings on Social and Communal Harmony, pp. 13-15. Apaṇṇaka Sutta: MN 60 https://suttacentral.net/en/mn60 Sandaka Sutta: MN 76 http://tipitaka.wikia.com/wiki/Sandaka_Sutta Discourse to the Kālāmas: AN 3.65 https://suttacentral.net/en/an3.65 Discourse to the Householders of the Bamboo Gate: SN 55.7 (Unfortunately appears not to exist in an online translation. It is translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi in his above book as well as his translation of the Saṃyutta Nikāya). Some previous writings of mine on this topic: http://secularbuddhism.org/2012/10/01/on-a-belief-that-sends-you-to-hell/ http://secularbuddhism.org/2013/02/12/the-buddha-and-kesakambali/ https://www.academia.edu/19291978/Was_the_Buddha_an_Anti-Realist (pp. 164-166).", "topics": [ "Pali canon", "devas/supernatural beings", "enlightenment/awakening", "fame", "philosophy", "rhetoric/debate", "secular Buddhism", "suttas/early texts", "technology", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu", "Pascal, Blaise" ], "suttas": [ "MN 60", "AN 3.65" ] }, { "id": "45jcnB89m1Q", "title": "What is Right Action?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45jcnB89m1Q", "date": "2017-08-21", "description": "The Buddha gave three key examples of actions we should avoid, but nuances remain depending on our status as layperson or monastic, as well as our understanding of some of the more in-depth teachings about the self. Music in this video: \"Soaring\" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License", "topics": [ "entertainment/media", "right action", "sangha/community" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "YfxV12gryGA", "title": "What is Right Speech?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfxV12gryGA", "date": "2017-08-14", "description": "What did the Buddha have to say about right speech? It was more than just \"Don't lie.\" Some of his conclusions may be helpful to us today in a world of instant communication, both one-to-one and one-to-many.", "topics": [ "right speech" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "vpeF669f-i8", "title": "Dharma Vlog: Cults and Weird Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpeF669f-i8", "date": "2017-08-10", "description": "Today I'll discuss some experiences with a teacher of mine who was in a couple of cults, plus an example of weird Buddhism that provides a bit of a lesson.", "topics": [ "Buddhism (weird)", "sangha/community", "personal reflection" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "lr_PY2NHZ5k", "title": "What is Right Intention?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr_PY2NHZ5k", "date": "2017-08-07", "description": "As we traverse the path, the quality of our intention is of great importance. What are the three key aspects of Right Intention? We'll try to answer that question in this video. Thanks for watching!", "topics": [ "right intention" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "2Fv4eouF-DA", "title": "What is Right View?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fv4eouF-DA", "date": "2017-07-31", "description": "The first step along the Eightfold Path is Right View. We will see that Right View has three interrelated aspects, all of which are key to unlocking its secrets. For a very in-depth, scholarly treatment of the subject, see Paul Fuller's book \"The Notion of Diṭṭhi in Theravāda Buddhism\": http://amzn.to/2hCXhfa", "topics": [ "Theravada", "eightfold path", "views/ditthi" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "ZsyaKvUTRKM", "title": "Introduction to Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsyaKvUTRKM", "date": "2017-07-24", "description": "Today we'll touch on a bit of the early history of Buddhism and its context within ancient India, its social structure, and a little about some later developments. Thanks for watching!", "topics": [ "Buddhism (early)" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "UbFKoJxzHkk", "title": "Dharma Vlog: Meditation and a Podcast", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbFKoJxzHkk", "date": "2017-07-20", "description": "On this vlog I'll talk about the strange instructions that started me off meditating, and a great podcast I was just on. Hope you enjoy! Links in this video: http://www.workshedpod.com/podcast/episode-32-the-skeptic-the-truth-the-dharma-with-douglass-smith https://insighttimer.com/ Please visit the Secular Buddhist Association webpage! http://secularbuddhism.org/ My material can be found here:", "topics": [ "meditation", "secular Buddhism" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "dYNWDFOBtQg", "title": "What are Buddhism's Key Texts?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYNWDFOBtQg", "date": "2017-07-17", "description": "Philosophies and religions the world over have key texts outlining their founders' beliefs and aims. What are Buddhism's key texts? Some texts mentioned: Majjhima Nikāya trans. by Ñāṇamoli and Bodhi http://amzn.to/2hq5AyA Dīgha Nikāya trans. by Walshe http://amzn.to/2zyIXyz Aṅguttara Nikāya trans. by Bodhi http://amzn.to/2zxRRwb Saṃyutta Nikāya trans. by Bodhi http://amzn.to/2Az96vb Dhammapada trans. by Fronsdal http://amzn.to/2zx4Pdq Sutta-Nipāta trans. by Bodhi http://amzn.to/2hqStx9 Questions of King Milinda trans. by Max Muller and Rhys Davids http://amzn.to/2hZyYZC Udāna and Itivuttaka trans. by Ireland http://amzn.to/2yoW2ai Therigatha trans. by Hallisey http://amzn.to/2i1cOWA Paṭisambhidāmagga trans. by Ñāṇamoli http://amzn.to/2i1pMnp A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma trans. by Bodhi http://amzn.to/2hkjYVs Buddhavaṃsa and Cariyāpiṭaka trans. by Horner Short Bibliography: Theravāda Buddhism, 2nd Ed., by Richard Gombrich http://amzn.to/2yO584r Foundations of Buddhism by Rupert Gethin http://amzn.to/2yq4mqe Handbook of Pāli Literature by Oskar von Hinuber http://amzn.to/2hl2Ej9", "topics": [ "Dhammapada", "Theravada", "abhidhamma", "enlightenment/awakening", "suttas/early texts", "Gombrich, Richard", "Gethin, Rupert", "Muller, Max" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "GYJ_k4pITsM", "title": "What is Dharma (Buddhism)?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYJ_k4pITsM", "date": "2017-07-10", "description": "What does the word \"dharma\" mean in early Buddhism? We will look at several ways it's used in the texts, and discuss its importance. For further information, see Rupert Gethin, \"He Who Sees Dhamma Sees Dhammas: Dhamma in Early Buddhism\". Journal of Indian Philosophy, 2004.", "topics": [ "Gethin, Rupert", "Buddhism (early)" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "GytXVx6ZQSo", "title": "Q & A: Secular Monasticism and Choppy Videos", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GytXVx6ZQSo", "date": "2017-07-06", "description": "Mixing things up here, today we'll get into questions from a couple of viewers. One involves whether there is room for a kind of deep secular Buddhist practice akin to monasticism, and another deals with the way I've been editing these videos. Please let me know your thoughts as well in the comments below! Music in this video:", "topics": [ "entertainment/media", "secular Buddhism" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "NFzc-yqxZtQ", "title": "What are the Five Hindrances?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFzc-yqxZtQ", "date": "2017-07-03", "description": "The five hindrances get in the way of our meditation, and get in the way of living wisely. Here we will look at them and at methods for dealing with them skillfully, mostly from the early tradition.", "topics": [ "hindrances", "meditation", "Analayo" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "bvkmbJFR8Mw", "title": "What are the Three Refuges?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvkmbJFR8Mw", "date": "2017-06-26", "description": "Traditional Buddhists often take the \"three refuges\". What are they and can they be understood in secular terms? Music in this video:", "topics": [ "entertainment/media", "three refuges" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "UyKyULHmWD8", "title": "What Did the Buddha Teach About Beliefs?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyKyULHmWD8", "date": "2017-06-19", "description": "The Buddha's early teachings on non-clinging to beliefs, views, and opinions are some of his deepest and most profound, as well as being a little tricky to understand. For those interested in a very detailed look at the Buddha on views, do check out Paul Fuller's book \"The Notion of Diṭṭhi in Theravāda Buddhism\": http://amzn.to/2hCXhfa Although it does have \"Theravāda\" in the title, the book is about Pāli Buddhism in particular, which covers early Buddhism as well. NB: this is very advanced reading! Music on this video:", "topics": [ "Theravada", "attachment/clinging", "entertainment/media", "views/ditthi" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "bbHlyxPTM68", "title": "Dharma Vlog Experiment!", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbHlyxPTM68", "date": "2017-06-15", "description": "Oy, OK this is another experiment. Mixing things up a bit, this is a bit of a \"behind the scenes\" vlog, talking about some history I've had finding my way with Buddhism and creative writing. OK don't hate on me too much if vlogging isn't your thing, I'm not big on talking about myself either! 😄 So I'm not sure how often I'll do these vlog extras. We'll see.", "topics": [ "personal reflection" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "y2kuztpY9hA", "title": "Secular Buddhism's Roots in South Asia", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2kuztpY9hA", "date": "2017-06-12", "description": "Secular Buddhism has roots that go well back into 19th c. South Asia. We will look at some of that history here. For more on this general topic: http://secularbuddhism.org/2016/09/13/secular-buddhisms-roots-in-south-asia/ Erik Braun's book \"The Birth of Insight\" is a wonderful resource for the history of Insight or Vipassana Buddhism. http://amzn.to/2i1eD5S", "topics": [ "secular Buddhism", "vipassana/insight", "Braun, Erik" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "HMqnVsYZ4q8", "title": "Thinking and Practicing", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMqnVsYZ4q8", "date": "2017-06-05", "description": "How important is thought, reasoning, and cognition to our practice? Or is it just a kind of impediment? We'll look at some material from early Buddhism for answers to this question.", "topics": [ "mental proliferation/papanca" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "2KU-sSsSVow", "title": "Enlightenment, European and Buddhist", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KU-sSsSVow", "date": "2017-05-29", "description": "The word \"enlightenment\" is used to describe a period of history in Europe, and a state of mind in Buddhism. What do these really mean, and do they share any important similarities?", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "QOQiZbAPtW4", "title": "Is Buddhism Atheist?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOQiZbAPtW4", "date": "2017-05-22", "description": "Was the Buddha an atheist? Does one need to believe in God or gods to follow his system? This is a question with an interesting answer I think we can all learn from.", "topics": [ "atheism/agnosticism", "devas/supernatural beings", "Hayes, Richard" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "7mFBdFyyqe0", "title": "Loving Kindness Meditation", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mFBdFyyqe0", "date": "2017-05-15", "description": "What is Loving Kindness (mettā) meditation and how did it develop? Many people today practice a form that probably originated centuries after the Buddha's day. I recommend Sharon Salzberg's great book Lovingkindness for a contemporary teaching on practice: http://amzn.to/2ypwYQe Thanks to Andy Olendzki for his work on the historical roots of mettā meditation, from which I've drawn over the years. Needless to say any errors are my own!", "topics": [ "Buddha (historical)", "meditation", "metta/loving-kindness", "work/livelihood", "Salzberg, Sharon" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "-v-iNe1wVZ0", "title": "Early Buddhism & Secular Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-v-iNe1wVZ0", "date": "2017-05-08", "description": "Folks interested in a secular approach to Buddhism will find many forms of Buddhism congenial. Why is early Buddhism particularly so? We will look at the Kevaddha Sutta (DN 11) and some material from Richard Gombrich, eminent scholar of early Buddhism, to help illuminate the discussion. Websites mentioned in the video:", "topics": [ "rhetoric/debate", "secular Buddhism", "suttas/early texts", "Gombrich, Richard" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "P9PCNHosQ-s", "title": "The Three Poisons of Buddhism: Antidotes", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9PCNHosQ-s", "date": "2017-05-01", "description": "The three poisons of greed, hatred, and delusion lie at the root of many of our problems. What can we do about them? Here are some techniques from early Buddhist teachings.", "topics": [ "anger", "delusion" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "bi8OeCuzHKc", "title": "Introduction to the Eightfold Path", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi8OeCuzHKc", "date": "2017-04-24", "description": "Many of us have heard of the Eightfold Path as perhaps the definitive description of Buddhist practice. What is it?", "topics": [ "eightfold path", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "zFZjlkjSboY", "title": "Welcome to Doug's Secular Dharma!", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFZjlkjSboY", "date": "2017-04-23", "description": "Are you interested in helping foster a wiser, kinder, less stress-filled world? Here you'll find short videos about how to do that, with material from early Buddhism, secularism, and related topics. There will be a mix of introductory material and more advanced discussions of history and current scholarship about the dharma. I aim to have a video out per week, on Monday mornings. Why early Buddhism? Because it's approachable and down-to-earth, a good fit for contemporary secular belief and practice, and too little appreciated. I'm Doug Smith, I have a PhD in philosophy, many years of Buddhist practice in the Zen and Theravāda traditions, and am Study Director at the Secular Buddhist Association.", "topics": [ "Theravada", "Zen", "secular Buddhism" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "yd1rCCWX0bo", "title": "Secular Buddhism & Secular Humanism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yd1rCCWX0bo", "date": "2017-04-17", "description": "Secular humanism is a naturalistic life stance oriented towards this life, as is secular Buddhism. How are these allied life stances similar and different? For a previous blog post of mine on this topic, see: http://secularbuddhism.org/2012/11/29/secular-humanism-and-secular-buddhism/ The Council for Secular Humanism can be found at: https://www.secularhumanism.org/", "topics": [ "philosophy", "secular Buddhism" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "rV2iiEttayY", "title": "Mindfulness and Concentration Meditation", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rV2iiEttayY", "date": "2017-04-10", "description": "Early Buddhist practice involves two main kinds of formal meditation, which we will discuss. Mentioned in this video: Leigh Brasington's site: http://www.leighb.com/ Jon Kabat-Zinn: http://www.umassmed.edu/cfm/about-us/people/2-meet-our-faculty/kabat-zinn-profile/", "topics": [ "concentration/samadhi", "meditation", "mindfulness", "Brasington, Leigh" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "i9pUWTk95n0", "title": "What is Buddhist Awakening?", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9pUWTk95n0", "date": "2017-04-03", "description": "Here we'll discuss what \"awakening\" (\"bodhi\") meant in an early Buddhist context. \"Buddha\" basically means \"awakened\" rather than \"enlightened\" so this is a key concept to get our minds around. This is my fifth YouTube video so it's still a bit rough around the edges. Apologies!", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "UGNfiyRMkgw", "title": "Good Books on Early Buddhism", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGNfiyRMkgw", "date": "2017-03-27", "description": "Lots of folks ask me for recommendations of good books on early Buddhism. I have a bunch of good ones here, with links below! This is my fourth YouTube video, so it's a bit rougher than some of the later ones. Apologies and thanks for watching! Here are the books mentioned in the video: Bhikkhu Bodhi: In the Buddha's Words http://amzn.to/2hivVus Rupert Gethin: The Foundations of Buddhism http://amzn.to/2i1hOul Williams, Tribe, Wynne: Buddhist Thought http://amzn.to/2i0CId0 Walpola Rahula: What the Buddha Taught http://amzn.to/2zx8OHg Richard Gombrich: What the Buddha Thought http://amzn.to/2i12Swl Richard Gombrich: Theravāda Buddhism, 2nd Ed. http://amzn.to/2hq3EWQ Johannes Bronkhorst: Buddhist Teaching in India http://amzn.to/2hiROd9 Anālayo: Satipaṭṭhāna, the Direct Path to Realization http://amzn.to/2yOaVHp Please feel free to include your own favorites in the comments section!", "topics": [ "Theravada", "enlightenment/awakening", "satipatthana", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu", "Gombrich, Richard", "Analayo", "Gethin, Rupert", "Williams, Paul", "Rahula, Walpola", "Bronkhorst, Johannes" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "Oi0V3Pycru0", "title": "The Buddha on Politics and Society", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oi0V3Pycru0", "date": "2017-03-20", "description": "Here we'll look at what the Buddha had to say about politics and society. He had a very interesting approach and some unique insights to provide! This is my third YouTube video, so it's a bit rougher than some of the later ones. Apologies! Book used: Bhikkhu Bodhi's new anthology, The Buddha's Teachings on Social and Communal Harmony. http://amzn.to/2hjKxtA", "topics": [ "enlightenment/awakening", "politics", "Bodhi, Bhikkhu" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "sziAaCI5y1Q", "title": "Comparing Early Greek and Buddhist Thought", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sziAaCI5y1Q", "date": "2017-03-13", "description": "How is early Buddhist thought like that we find in classical Greece? I'll give a short intro to that fascinating question, pointing out some key differences. This is my second YouTube video, so it's a bit rough. Apologies in advance! Check out some of my later videos for more smoothness. For a good intro to classical Greek philosophy see: http://www.iep.utm.edu/greekphi/", "topics": [ "philosophy" ], "suttas": [] }, { "id": "UtRk4qD8a-0", "title": "What is Secular Buddhism? (#1)", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtRk4qD8a-0", "date": "2017-03-06", "description": "What is secular Buddhism and how does it differ from traditional Buddhism? This video will try to answer that question. It's my first video, so check out later videos like this one for better video prettiness! https://youtu.be/QOQiZbAPtW4", "topics": [ "secular Buddhism", "Dalai Lama", "Batchelor, Stephen", "Ledi Sayadaw" ], "suttas": [] } ] }