Mahayana Buddhism has a lot in common with earlier forms of Buddhism (like belief in samsara and nirvana, lack of inherently existent self, dukkha, impermanence, etc.). But in this episode I'll explore two of the distinctive philosophical innovations that make Mahayana Buddhist schools like Zen and Pure Land distinctive: emptiness and buddha nature.  

These two philosophical ideas work together: buddha nature is our true "self," and the small sense of self that we usually grasp at doesn't really exist (i.e., it's empty of true existence).  

If you missed my earlier video on the origins of the Mahayana schools, you can catch that here: https://youtu.be/R7Gc2rDbgb4 

I recorded this video from a live Insight Timer teaching; you can find me there and get notified of future talks: http://insig.ht/clairevillarreal 

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May all beings be well.  

Chapters: 

00:00 Intro 

00:33 Connections between Mahayana and Early Buddhism 

02:25 Emptiness 

07:55 Buddha nature