¡Despierta!

In this episode, Dayamati and I discuss D.T. Suzuki's essay 'Zen and Jōdo, Two Types of Buddhist Experience' from “Selected Works of D.T. Suzuki, Volume II”. We use the essay to explore the relative differences and similarities between Zen and Pure Land Buddhism. Among other things we reflect on the relative value of dualistic and non dualistic language for mapping human religious experience. In addition, we talk about the importance of narratives in the process of self-understanding and how they cannot simply be replaced by ideas. We touch on some key terms employed by Suzuki including what he means by mystical and intellectual.

In this episode Dayamati and I begin to discuss DT Suzuki's essays on Pure Land Buddhism. We can begin by contemplating the concept of enlightenment and take in an essay by Galen Amstutz entitled 'Evolved Interiority' in which Amstutz argues that Shinran's religious vision encapsulates a more complex sense of interiority than was possible at the time of the Buddha. We then reflect on whether ideas of awakening have become more complex over time and whether it is more favourable to be born at a time when the Buddhist tradition has developed greater richness. We also reflect on the nature of vows and, in particular, the Bodhisattva Vow and ask how it arose historically.

In this synoptic episode, Dayamati and I reflect on what it is about Shinran that calls our attention. We use a poem by Rumi as a basis for exploring Shinran's perspective on human fragility and reflect on the link between a deepening awareness of fallibility and connection with a transcendent influence.

In this podcast we continue to explore the Larger Amida Scripture and, more specifically, some of the 48 Vows. We look at some of the inconsistencies within the scripture to understand more fully how it might have grown over time and talk about some of the key messages from the Vows.

In this, our final episode exploring Shinran's teachings, we continue to examine the topic of jinen or naturalness.

In this episode we explore Shinran's key concept of jinen or naturalness.

In this episode we discuss Sangharakshita's views about the Pure Land perspective and also reflect on some key terms that Shinran uses.

In this episode we explore the idea of a sacred world and also bring Shinran in relation to Dōgen's teachings. We also explore the complexity of the realization of shinjin.

In this episode we finish looking at Shinran's letters and discuss his approach to scriptural analysis, particularly his tendency to rewrite scriptural passages so that they read what he intends them to read. We also explore the Pure Land lineage that Shinran created.