- How Did the Buddha Teach Nonviolence Without Being Passive?
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…
- What Was Buddhism Called in the Buddha's Day?
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…
- The Murderer Who Became Enlightened: Who was Angulimala?
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…