Dharma Roads

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There are many sources of wisdom and advice about how to live a ‘good life.’ Buddhist teachers have much to say about how to minimise suffering and maximise wellbeing. But we can extend what is called ‘dharma’ - the body of Buddhist wisdom and advice - to include many other non-Buddhist sources. In Western philosophy, other religions and indigenous cultures there are many teachers from whom we can learn. In this episode I take a look at one such teacher - the Dutch philosopher, Baruch Spinoza, (also known as Benedict de Spinoza) who lived from 1632 to 1677. 

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As always with these talks, I am offering my thoughts in order to prompt reflection and discussion. The theme of this episode, race, class and identity, is a huge and complex topic and I can only on touch on a few aspects. I highlight what I see as a Buddhist perspective on these matters. In some ways, this talk follows on from Episode 12 on ‘Truth, delusion and usefulness’ – particularly the point that was made about the Buddha questioning any claim to truth that was grounded in greed, anger or delusion.’ 

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In this episode I offer a few reflections on some of the things I have learnt from Zen practice and how it has come to be so central to my life. I suggest that zazen, Zen meditation, is an art that enables the practitioner to gain insights into the chattering and acquisitive self and to discover another way of being that draws on the boundless creative energy of the mind – Beginner’s Mind or Zen Mind. Anyone can learn this art and encounter the peace and unity that it can bring.

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In this episode I discuss some of the meanings of the term, ‘truth,’ and explore the ways in which different concepts of truth affect how we see the world and how we relate to each other. I go on to suggest that it may be more beneficial to human wellbeing to think in terms of what is ‘useful’ rather than what is ‘true.’ This talk may seem more abstract and theoretical than many of the others, but I hope that it will clarify some of the thinking around notions of truth and be helpful in establishing your own view of what is true and useful.

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In this episode I talk about anger – how we think about it, manage and make use of it, and how we can learn to let go of it. I then discuss how feelings of anger are often associated with making judgments – how the judgments we make can too easily give rise to feelings of injustice, resentment and anger. I then consider some of the reasons why suspending judgment is considered to be important by many Buddhist teachers and by many philosophers in the Western sceptical tradition.

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In this episode I talk about cultivating equanimity and composure, even as we experience joy and happiness. I suggest that changing our relationship with experiences, to take account of the transient nature of everything we think and feel, is a crucial aspect of developing wisdom and peace of mind. This leads to some thoughts on hope and despair, optimism and pessimism. I hope you will find it to be of interest.

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This talk is about mindful meditation, what it is and how it is described in the literature of Buddhism - with a particular focus on The Four Foundations of Mindfulness as described in the Satipatthana Sutra. I also discuss the practice of ‘bare attention’ – an approach to mindful meditation associated particularly with Zen Buddhism.

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In this talk I describe how the development, in an individual, of the skills outlined in the Buddha's 'Eightfold Path,' can become the ethical values for a whole society – a ‘culture of awakening?’ I also explore some of the connections between Buddhist ideas and practices and what we might call an ecological worldview.

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In this episode I discuss the Eightfold Path – a well-known and important outline of how the Four Noble Truths or Tasks are to be developed and realised. These are set out in the Dhammacakkappavattana sutra, usually referred to in English as Setting in Motion the Wheel of the Dharma – an account of one of the Buddha’s first teachings. I go on to briefly explore the concepts of dukkha (suffering) and sukha (wellbeing). I also share some thoughts on how it may be useful to think of the Eightfold Path as a way of establishing an effective ethical framework by cultivating eight mindful skills. 

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In this talk, I briefly discuss the Pali Canon, the early texts of Buddhism, and also say a little more about how suffering arises from our struggle to deal with the impermanent and interdependent nature of existence. I also introduce and describe three important Buddhist terms: metta – ‘loving kindness,’ karuna – ‘compassion’ and ahimsa – ‘non-violence.’