- Exploring Buddhism's Traditional And Lesser Known Refuges
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.
- The Mysterious Buddhist Tale of "Venerable Empty Scripture"
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…
- "All Dharmas Are Not Self": Have We Got It Wrong?
"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.
- Nirvana and Enlightenment: What's the Difference?
What's the difference between nirvana and enlightenment? I'll discuss both in this video.
- "Devotion vs. Cultishness" in Buddhism
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,…
- The Preeminence of Dharma Among the Buddhist Refuges or Jewels
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…