- Is Solitary Buddhist Practice Selfish? (The "Lone Buddha" Path)
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?
- Solitude: Its Advantages and Drawbacks in Buddhist Practice
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?
- Consciousness Does Not Arise Alone in Early Buddhism
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.
- Superiority of Solitude in Early Buddhism: The Rhinoceros Sutta
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?
- Buddhism and Loneliness
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…