- Buddhism and Icons: Prohibition to "Idolatry"
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".
- Buddhism's Decline in India
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…
- Buddhism on Suicide and Euthanasia
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.
- Is the Mind Luminous?
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…