Episodes
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In this episode, we begin to look more explicitly at Yogarchara ideas by considering chapter 5 of Waldron's Making Sense of Mind Only. More specifically, we consider the teaching of the the Three Natures and the notion that Yogachara represents a 'third turning of the Wheel' of the Dharma.
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In this episode, we continue to review the Madhyamaka perspective in relation to the nature of reality as presented by William Waldron in his book, 'Making Sense of Mind Only'. In particular, we touch on the teaching of the Two Truths and emphasise the indivisible link between them. We affirm that the absolute truth can only be realised by means of the relative truth.
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In this episode we look at the philosophical context of Madhayamaka in relation to the emergence of Yogachara thought. In particular, we highlight the teaching of emptiness (shunyata) and question the analytical method so prevalent in Buddhist thought. We also examine whether arguments against the idea of an atman (soul) are compelling or not, especially when considered in relation to Dependent origination.
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In this episode, we look at chapter 3 of William Waldron's book 'Making Sense of Mind Only', which offers an overview and critique of the Adhidharma Buddhist tradition. More particularly, it aims to show how problems in the Abhidharma approach gave rise to Mahayana philosophical ideas and, more specifically, Yogachara developments.
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We continue to study William Waldron's 'Making Sense of Mind Only', which is an introduction to Yogachara philosophy. In this episode we look at chapter 2 of the book, which examines the interdependent nature of perception, and experience as a whole, in early Buddhism. We explore how self and world are interconnected.
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In this episode we consider chapter 1 of William Waldron's book 'Making sense of Mind Only'. We look at the early Buddhist background that informs the Yogachara perspective, particularly by looking at conditionality and anatman (no fixed self).
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In the episode we begin a study of William Waldron's new book 'Making Sense of Mind Only', which is an introduction to Yogachara ideas within Buddhism. Here we consider the introduction and examine the approach that Waldron presents which is to present Yogachara in dialogue with the traditions that preceded it and as trying to solve practical, spiritual problems rather than to affirm a philosophical worldview.
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In this episode, we begin to look at Nagarjuna's 'Precious Garland', a text of 500 verses addressed to a king which deals with the themes of ethics and wisdom. The first episode deals with the general context of the text and looks at the first fifty verses.
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In this episode (which is rather long) we look at one of the pivotal chapters from the Shōbōgenzō, which is chapter 11, 'Uji'. This is variously translating as 'existence-time', 'being-time', and so on. It is one of the key concepts in Dōgen's vision of Dharma practice and might be described as a kind of Zen phenomenology. Dōgen evokes the subjective reality of human existence, especially in relation to time and how we stand in relation to ignorance and awakening. At times elusive, at times illuminating, this chapter repays sustained attention.
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In this episode we discuss chapter 9 of Dōgen's Shōbōgenzō; 'The voices of the river valley and the form of the mountains' (Keisei-shinshiki). This chapter focuses on how the whole of nature functions as the 'Buddha's body' in the sense that it reveals the nature of conditionality. The chapter also explores motivation for Dharma practice and warns against using the Dharma life to accomplish worldly ends. According to Dōgen, 'we should endeavour to be unknown'.
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In this episode, we jump forward to Chapter 29 of Shōbōgenzō, 'Inmo' or 'the ineffable'. Among other themes, we consider the topic of the 'sincere mind' (sekishin). We also reflect on Dōgen's suggestions about how to deal with anxiety in relation to whether or not we are truly leading a Dharma life and the paradox that even this very doubt itself expresses a connection with the transcendent. We also return to reflect on some of the affinities between Dōgen's apparent vision of self-power and Shinran's Other Power approach.
Note: at one point of the recording I refer to Dōgen's approach as 'Other Power'. This was a verbal error and I intended to say 'self-power.' -
In this episode, we consider chapter 8 of Dōgen's Shōbōgenzō, which is Raihai-tokuzai or 'Prostrating to the Marrow of Attainment.' After clarifying the distinction between 'marrow' the vegetable and 'marrow' meaning the essence of something, we go on to explore the key theme of the chapter, which is sincerity in relation to the Dharma. More specifically, Dōgen offers a vision of Dharma practice that goes beyond status or formal role and insists that we should be open to hear the Dharma from anyone who embodies it. As part of this insistence, he opens the (for the time) radical possibility of men hearing the Dharma from women, of seniors hearing the Dharma from juniors, and of monks hearing the Dharma from laypeople. Thus, he insists that what is primary is the going for refuge of each person rather than their particular lifestyle or ecclesiastical status.
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In this episode we analyse the first chapter of Dōgen's magnum opus, Shōbōgenzō, which is called 'Bendowa' or a talk on the way. We give some context to Dōgen's presentation of Zen and, in particular, rehearse some of his life story and influences. We also consider the notion of lineage within Zen and the important idea of 'practice as awakening.'
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In this episode we continue to explore Dōgen's chapter, 'The Mountains and Waters Sutra' from the Shōbōgenzō. En particular, we are study Okumura's commentary on this text. The part of the chapter that we consider here includes a great Chan/Zen anecdote about Nanquan's sickle. We also explore the topic of whether Zen meditation is concerned with no thought and the real function of koans (ancient cases). Finally, we discuss Dōgen's recommendation that we be reticent about giving our opinions, especially about the Dharma, and agree that we don't necessarily follow this guidance (neither does Dōgen!).
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In this podcast Dayamati and I begin study of Shohaku Okumura's commentary on chapter 14 of Dōgen's magnum opus, Shōbōgenzō, 'The Mountains and -Waters Sutra' (Sansuikyō). After contextualising the chapter itself and Okumura's commentary we begin to touch on some of its principal themes, including the idea of the always-incompleteness of practice and the condition of 'no-knowing' as a creative relation with experience. We confine our comments to chapter 1 of the commentary.
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In this episode Dayamati and I discuss Thomas Kasulis' chapter on Shinran from his book 'Engaging Japanese Philosophy.' Kasulis offers a stimulating and imaginative sketch of Shinran's religious vision. He gives an account of key concepts such as 'hakarai' (the calculating mind), the notion of lateral transcendence (or crosswise transcendence), and the notion of Amida-for-us and Amida-in-itself. As part of this discussion, we offer a reflection on differing models of the Buddhist path and of awakening and how these may relate to Subhuti's model of the Three Myths. We conclude that it is not easy to fit differing models of awakening into simple categories. Overall, this episode offers an overview of some of Shinran's key emphases.
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In this episode Dayamati and I discuss the introductory chapter of Thomas Kasulis' book 'Engaging Japanese Philosophy'. Kasulis makes an interesting distinction between 'detached knowing' and 'engaged knowing' and argues that Japanese thought favour the latter. He also explores forms of argumentation in Eastern thought and indicates that instead of argument being based on refutation it favours allocation, hybridisation, relegation. Kasulis invites the reader to become conscious of their own hermeneutic commitments. This episode will form the first in a series of discussions on Kasulis' book.
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In this episode we discuss the essay 'Infinite Light' from D.T. Suzuki's Selected Works Vol. 2. We offer some general reflections on Suzuki's method of analysis and explore how Suzuki's general approach is to see the Pure Land as a dimension of mind that unfolds in the present. We reflect on what it means for Amida's light to be all-embracing.
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In this episode Dayamati and I discuss Suzuki's essay 'The Myōkōnin' which is found in his Selected Works, Vol. 2. The myōkōnin is the saint of Shin Buddhism and in this essay Suzuki discusses two myōkōnin: first, Dōshū of Akao (d. 1516) and, second, Asahara Saichi (1850–1932). We discuss Dōshū’s Twenty-One Resolutions. In particular Dōshū was concerned with the notion of ichidaiji or the 'one great matter'. Afterwards we discuss Saichi's poems. Amongst many others we discuss the following:
How happy I am!
Amida’s seal is stamped in my heart.
The seal called Namu-amida-butsu,
The seal of Oya-sama [the loving parent (JCD)],
His child has received,
And simply says, Namu-amida-butsu.
We use the poem to discuss the metaphor of a seal and what it might mean to have Amida's seal stamped on our hearts. -
In this episode we discuss D.T. Suzuki's longest single essay on Jodo Shinshu Buddhism in English from his Selected Essays: Volume II. The essay is entitled 'The Shin Sect of Buddhism'. Among his primary characterisations of Shin Buddhism, Suzuki proposes that Amida symbolises a dimension or volition that transcends our ordinary karma. He also makes some comparisons between Shin and Christianity.
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