Buddhism before Theravada

[Kokuu]

Hi all

This is an interesting series of talks, primarily for those Jundo calls 'Buddhist history wonks' about the religious traditions in India that the Buddha was living in and the development of Buddhadharma in the first millenium after his death.

It is interesting that Theravada Buddhism only came into being in the 5th Century AD after Buddhaghosa wrote Vishuddimagga (Path of Purifaction) which comprehensively set out meditation practices for the Buddhist path. It is interesting to note that the allegedly modern Mahayana tradition is estimated to have its first sutras written in the first century BCE.

http://www.audiodharma.org/series/207/talk/2602/


Deep bows
Kokuu
#sattoday

[Shugen]

Thank you for the links Kokuu.

Gassho,

Shugen

#sattoday

[Mp]

Thank you Kokuu. =)

Gassho
Shingen

#sattoday

[Jundo]

Thank you Kokuu.

I listened a few years ago, and if I recall correctly, Dr. Peacock also sought (like Stephen Batchelor) to present a very stripped down, secular view of Buddha.

There is actually a panel featuring both of them that is rather interesting ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXYBtT4uN30

Gassho, J

SatToday

[Mp]

Thank you Jundo, I will have a listen to this video as well. =)

Gassho
Shingen

#sattoday

[Kokuu]

if I recall correctly, Dr. Peacock also sought (like Stephen Batchelor) to present a very stripped down, secular view of Buddha

That may well be true as he is currently a faculty member of the Oxford Mindfulness Centre which seeks to present a very secular form of practice.

The above talks seem to be largely factually based, from what I have heard so far, but it is always good to know if someone has an underlying agenda.

Thank you very much for the link to the panel discussion. On my first listen I wondered if he and Stephen had compared notes!

Gassho
Kokuu
#sattoday

[Myosha]

Hello,

Thank you for the links.


Gassho
Myosha sat today

[RichardH]

Thanks Kokuu. I have listened to Peacock's series of talks twice and heard a mix of interesting information and modern ideology based on a socio-political-religious history that hadn't happened yet in the Buddha's time. For instance he is interpreting an ironic toned anti-Brahminism in the early teachings based in modern post-"enlightenment" attitudes toward traditional views, and contemporary conflict between science and belief based religious activism. He is also seeing Buddhism through the lens of modern psychology, and believes that the Buddha was working only on that psychological plane, because that is all that Peacock knows. It is a package deal. IMHO

Gassho
Daizan

sat today

[Jinyo]

That's interesting Daizan - have just listened to one of the on line lectures at the UK centre for Mindfulness and part of what I feel is why bring Buddhism into it at all - it's beginning to feel like a fancy bow tied on a connected ideology to make it more attractive? But I need to explore more - I'm very aware of my prejudices re Mindfulness and also at times speak in its defence. Guess I'm conflicted !

Gassho

Willow

sat today

[Jundo]

Thanks Kokuu. I have listened to Peacock's series of talks twice and heard a mix of interesting information and modern ideology based on a socio-political-religious history that hadn't happened yet in the Buddha's time. For instance he is interpreting an ironic toned anti-Brahminism in the early teachings based in modern post-"enlightenment" attitudes toward traditional views, and contemporary conflict between science and belief based religious activism. He is also seeing Buddhism through the lens of modern psychology, and believes that the Buddha was working only on that psychological plane, because that is all that Peacock knows. It is a package deal. IMHO

Gassho
Daizan

sat today

Hi Daizan,

Yes, yes, something such as that is what I recall when I listened a year or so back.

It may be an excellent ideology, but not necessarily "what the historical Buddha taught" in his time and society.

Gassho, J

SatToday