Posts by Doug Smith
What is Right Intention?
As we traverse the path, the quality of our intention is of great importance. What are the three key aspects of Right Intention? We’ll try to answer that question in this video. Thanks for watching!
Read MoreWhat is Right View?
The first step along the Eightfold Path is Right View. We will see that Right View has three interrelated aspects, all of which are key to unlocking its secrets. For a very in-depth, scholarly treatment of the subject, see Paul Fuller’s book The Notion of Diṭṭhi in Theravāda Buddhism.
Read MoreIntro to Buddhism
Today we’ll touch on a bit of the early history of Buddhism and its context within ancient India, its social structure, and a little about some later developments. Thanks for watching!
Read MoreVlog: Meditation and a Podcast
On this vlog I’ll talk about the strange instructions that started me off meditating, and a great podcast I was just on. Hope you enjoy! Links in this video: The Workshed Podcast Insight Timer
Read MoreBuddhism's Key Texts
Philosophies and religions the world over have key texts outlining their founders’ beliefs and aims. What are Buddhism’s key texts? Some mentioned here: Majjhima Nikāya trans. by Ñāṇamoli and Bodhi Dīgha Nikāya trans. by Walshe Aṅguttara Nikāya trans. by Bodhi Saṃyutta Nikāya trans. by Bodhi Dhammapada trans. by Fronsdal Sutta-Nipāta trans. by Saddhatissa Questions of…
Read MoreWhat is "Dharma"?
What does the word “dharma” mean in early Buddhism? We will look at several ways it’s used in the texts, and discuss its importance. For further information, see Rupert Gethin, “He Who Sees Dhamma Sees Dhammas: Dhamma in Early Buddhism”. Journal of Indian Philosophy, 2004.
Read MoreQ&A: Secular Monasticism and Choppy Videos
Mixing things up here, today we’ll get into questions from a couple of viewers. One involves whether there is room for a kind of deep secular Buddhist practice akin to monasticism, and another deals with the way I’ve been editing these videos. Please let me know your thoughts as well in the comments below!
Read MoreDealing with the Five Hindrances
The five hindrances get in the way of our meditation, and get in the way of living wisely. Here we will look at them and at methods for dealing with them skillfully, mostly from the early tradition. A good source for information on the hindrances in early Buddhism is Anālayo’s book “From Craving to Liberation…
Read MoreThoughts on the Three Refuges
Traditional Buddhists often take the “three refuges”. What are they and can they be understood in secular terms?
Read MoreWhat Did the Buddha Teach About Views?
The Buddha’s early teachings on non-clinging to views and opinions are some of his deepest and most profound, as well as being a little tricky to understand. For those interested in a very detailed look at the Buddha on views, do check out Paul Fuller’s book “The Notion of Diṭṭhi in Theravāda Buddhism”. Although it…
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