Videos
How Compassion Became Empathy
Buddhist compassion practice changed radically over the first few centuries following the Buddha’s passing. One way it changed is outlined in a paper by Buddhist scholar Anālayo: compassion practice became more of a practice of empathy. This development coincided with a number of other interesting changes in Buddhist belief and practice that we will outline…
Read MoreIs Desire the Root of Suffering?
It is sometimes said that desire is the root of suffering, or that the Buddha claimed such a thing. We will look at the ways in which desire can be unskillful, including some that are very close to our hearts, and other ways in which desires can in fact be skillful. We will see that…
Read MoreBuddhist Compassion Meditation: a Brief History
Buddhist compassion meditation practices changed dramatically during the millennium from the Buddha’s lifetime to the lifetimes of some of his most famous commentators. Using a paper by the gifted scholar Anālayo as a guide, we will look at the earliest recorded compassion practices and at practices found in works by the later philosophers and commentators…
Read MoreWhat's the Point of Practice?
It often happens that those of us with a regular — or irregular! — practice will come to a place of wondering: “What’s the point?” We’ll discuss the nature of these completely normal doubts and ways to deal with them. We’ll also try to deal with the question of what the point is of it…
Read MoreStart With Yourself
We all want to make the world a better place, but doing so can be at times difficult, frustrating, even stressful. Rather than turning towards cynicism, why not start making the world a better place by working with yourself? A good article from the Washington Post notes that work on oneself should not preclude work…
Read MoreBrittle Metta
We may practice kindness, but anger and hatred will take over at times. We’ll deal with one syndrome involving anger and talk about ways to approach it that may be helpful. Thich Nhat Hanh on embracing anger Check out my Patreon page!
Read MorePractice is Weeding
Daily practice along the path is like weeding our yard. Weeds tend to sprout if the ground lies unattended, but by diligent effort we can make a difference. We’ll consider that metaphor in this video. Check out my Patreon page!
Read MoreIs Nirvana Indescribable? Is it Permanent?
Nirvana or the awakened state is often said to be indescribable, and typically understood as permanent. We’ll consider both of these claims, and look at a neat thought experiment by philosopher Frank Jackson along the way. Suttas mentioned: The Unconditioned (SN 43.12, 14-43) (The rest of this sutta appears not to be available online). The…
Read MoreControversies Over Clothing and Food
Some of the Buddha’s dictates over clothing and food became controversial in the early history of the saṅgha. Indeed, aspects of them are still controversial today. We’ll discuss those controversies in this video in their historical context and consider how we might approach them today. Suttas mentioned: Āmagandha Sutta (Snp. II.2): Jīvaka Sutta (MN 55):…
Read MoreClothes and Identity
One way we create our identity is with our clothes. Here we’ll discuss robes that traditional monastics use, and consider how they differ from the clothing that the rest of us use. We’ll also consider ways that we can make contemplation of clothing a part of our practice. Check out my Patreon page!
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