Buddhist Catechism

What I Believe by Bertrand Russell.

Provides a brief indication of the beliefs of philosopher Bertrand Russell, focusing on his hopes for the future. The topics included are: nature and man, the good life, moral rules, individual and social salvation, and science and happiness.

Featured on Buddhist Catechism.

Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

This episode includes AI-generated content.

History of Freedom of Thought by John Bagnell Bury.

The great civil liberties we enjoy today, like Freedom of Speech and Freedom of the Press, have their foundation in Freedom of Thought. Without being able to freely explore all kinds of matter with an inquisitive mind, whether it be religious, political, societal, scientific, etc., any expression thereof is limited in and of itself. John Bagnell Bury tells the history of freedom of thought from its roots in Ancient Greece and Rome through the dark and restrictive Middle Ages and its renewed liberation in the Renaissance and the Reformation until the Rationalism of the 17th - 19th centuries. The focus of this book is on religious freethought, but the ideas and values of freedom of thought can be applied to any subject where rigorous thinking is beneficial.

Featured on Buddhist Catechism.

Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

This episode includes AI-generated content.

Six Metaphysical Meditations by René Descartes.

These are six meditations by the French philosopher Rene Descartes, best known for his conclusion "Cogito, ergro sum" "I Think, therefore I exist". They are called meditations because he clearly describes his deep reasoning on each topic. Each topic has objections made by Thomas Hobbs and Descartes' responses. The six topics are Of Things Doubtful Of the Nature of Mans Mind, and that ’tis easier Proved to Be then our Body Of God, and that there Is a God Of Truth and Falsehood Of the Essence of Things Material, and herein again of God, and that He does Exist.

Featured on Buddhist Catechism.

Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

This episode includes AI-generated content.

Philosophy of the Plan of Salvation by James Barr Walker.

The book is a series of independent demonstrations, the results of which accumulate to the final conclusion, that the Christian religion is necessarily the only religion possible to meet the spiritual wants of mankind. In arriving at this conclusion, the different arts and processes of revealed religion are examined, and their adaptedness to perform their several functions in elevating, purifying, and actuating the human soul to benevolent effort, is determined, and, finally, the practical operation of the system is shown, as a matter of undeniable experience, to produce the complete and necessary result required. . . .

Featured on Buddhist Catechism.

Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

This episode includes AI-generated content.

Elementary Theosophy by L. W. Rogers.

This book provides the basics of Theosophy and perhaps the beginning of a life long journey. Theosophy comes from the ancient wisdom that man and nature are as inseparable from the universe as the universe is inseparable from man and nature. It is a science and a philosophy, not a religion which depends on (dogma) faith. Knowledge gained through the study of Theosophy comes from the understanding of natural laws and harmony of the universe. Rogers shows us why we cannot separate ourselves from God (universe); the evolution of the soul; rebirth after physical death; why we don’t remember past lives and much more. If you’ve ever questioned why we are here or what happens when we die, the study of Theosophy may provide answers.

Featured on Buddhist Catechism.

Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

This episode includes AI-generated content.

Religion and Science from Galileo to Bergson by John Charlton Hardwick.

This history of Western philosophy, published in 1920, explores how people have explained the natural world during the last few centuries, whether by spiritual interpretation or through advances in science. From the Preface: "The chapters which follow are not intended as even a slight sketch of the history of Thought since the Renaissance. Their object is more modest, i.e. to illustrate the thesis that mankind, being 'incurably religious,' insists (however hopeless the enterprise may sometimes seem) upon interpreting the universe spiritually."

Featured on Buddhist Catechism.

Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

This episode includes AI-generated content.

Sree Krishna, The Lord of Love by Baba Premanand Bharati.

It is the history of the Universe from its birth to its dissolution. I have explained the science of creation, its making and its mechanism. Some facts and explanations are herein furnished for the first time in any modern language. This book embodies true Hinduism.

Featured on Buddhist Catechism.

Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

This episode includes AI-generated content.

Life of Buddha by A. Ferdinand Hérold.

This is more than a biography of the spiritual leader, they are lessons we all can learn from his life. Buddha’s journey and teachings are still relevant to our modern life.

Featured on Buddhist Catechism.

Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

This episode includes AI-generated content.

Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion by David Hume.

In Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion, philosopher David Hume examines whether belief in God can be rational. The work takes the form of a debate between three characters: Cleanthes, who argues that the existence and nature of God can be empirically verified; Demea, who argues that God is completely beyond human knowledge; and Philo, a philosophical skeptic widely thought to represent Hume's own beliefs. Much of the debate centers around Cleanthes' presentation of the analogical argument from design. According to this argument, the complexity and beauty of the universe can only be explained by inferring an intelligent designer, in the same way that one would infer a designer if one came across an intricately complicated machine. Philo presents several objections to this argument, with rejoinders by Cleanthes and occasional interjections by Demea.

Featured on Buddhist Catechism.

Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

This episode includes AI-generated content.

Introduction to Yoga by Annie Besant.

An introduction to Yoga is a book by Annie Besant from 1908. The book consists of four lectures held by the author on the practice of yoga, its connection to Indian philosophy and practical application to everyday life. The book has the purpose to familiarise the West with yoga and to promote Indian culture. Besant additionally adds some of her own opinions on the topic and uses the lectures to promote Theosophy as well.

Featured on Buddhist Catechism.

Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

This episode includes AI-generated content.