Ichinen-sanzen (part one)

Rev. Harry brings up the complex idea of ichinen sanzen -- three thousands things in a single thought moment -- from Tendai (Tiantai) Buddhism. In short, ichinen sanzen says that each thought moment contains within it all of existence -- wait, what? How does all of existence exist within each thought moment? Whose thought moment?… Continue reading Ichinen-sanzen (part one)

Reincarnation: part two

In our second conversation about reincarnation, we start off discussing the how the current Dalai Lama's position is predicated on the belief that he is the reincarnation of the previous Dalai Lama and how his reincarnation and the reincarnation of other Lamas creates a certain amount of consternation for the government of the People's Republic… Continue reading Reincarnation: part two

Interdependence: part one

In today's podcast we discuss the concept of interdependence. Beginning with the Sanskrit term pratityasamutpada, or Dependent Coarising, interdependence has played a fairly central role in Buddhist thought, over the centuries influencing Hua-yen philosophy and Buddhist relationships to nature. And because there's an extra Friday this month (and because we sure can talk a lot!),… Continue reading Interdependence: part one