the DharmaRealm

Somewhat related to our last episode on the one thing that unites all Buddhist schools, this week Harry and Scott talk about a post-modern Shin Buddhism. To really talk about post-modernity, of course, we needed to dwell a bit on modernity and how its use of meta-narratives helped explain the world. But the meta-narratives also ranked and valued different cultures (and since they were the ones doing the ranking, the Europeans usually came out on top). This is what post-modernity reacts to by deconstructing narratives, opening up the possibility of multiple and relative truths. Despite how unsettling that can be, we suggest it’s not such a bad thing to be critical of our inherited narratives, especially in Buddhism. Before running out of time, we touch on the multiple narratives within the Mahayana as well as inter-sectarian debate and dialogue within contemporary Buddhism. This is part one of a two parter, so don’t forget to check back on the March 20th for the conclusion. (And our one-year anniversary!) And as always, please feel free to send us questions either through the site or our Facebook page. In this episode, Scott quotes from Religion and Globalization by John Esposito, Darrell Fasching, and Todd Lewis.

Prompted by another listener question, we start off clearing up some issues about the “no self” or “anatman” doctrine in Buddhism. Does it mean “no soul”? Short answer, yes with an if; long answer, no with a but. In short, there is a world of difference between the question of a soul in a Christian worldview and anatman in an Indian religious worldview. Moving on from “no self,” we tackle the question of whether or not there’s one thing that unites different Buddhist traditions. Is it “the Buddha”? Or “karma”? Or some other basic tenet or practice that unifies all the various strands of Buddhism? We tackle it head on! By asking if there should be something that unites all Buddhisms? Or should we, to borrow a phrase, celebrate our diversity?

And we’re back! After a long winter’s break, the DharmaRealm podcast launches its second year “on the air,” so to speak. Prompted by a listener question about why Buddhism “works” for us, we talk about how we each came to discover Buddhism and Shin Buddhism in particular. Harry talks about his experiences growing up in Japan and later the East Coast and his encounter with Shin Buddhism through a friend’s grandfather’s memorial service. Scott recounts his experience in a community college history class where the truth of suffering was confirmed for him. By and large, our first experiences were primarily intellectual, but over the years of bumming around different Buddhist paths, and even different countries, we both came to find the Shin path, and through graduate school, befriended one another. Thanks for your patience over the winter break. We’ll be returning to our regular first and third Friday schedule from here on out. Happy New Year!

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 of China. We don’t dwell there long but instead venture off to hell (and the other realms of rebirth) and use that as way to discuss Buddhist morality and ethics. We also try to answer a listener question about the twelve-fold chain of causation and do our best to explain it in terms of the cycle of rebirth before ending this episode, appropriately enough, on Japanese horror films. Some of the books and films discussed in this episode include: the Shambhala Dictionary of Buddhism and Zen Hajime Nakamura’s book Gotama Buddha Nobuo Nakagawa’s 1960 classic, Jigoku Akira Kurosawa’s 1990 film Dreams

In the first of two episodes on the endlessly entertaining topic of reincarnation, we start off talking about whether reincarnation really is even a part of Buddhism (we say yes!) and pop-cultural ideas about rebirth (we reject them!). But getting into the nitty-gritty of it all, we discuss how reincarnation can be possible even with the core Buddhist doctrine of no-self, and how reincarnation is actually a pretty bleak prospect. Samsara — the six realms of rebirth — is place of endless wandering from birth to birth until one finds liberation. So we dwell a bit in these six realms and discuss them in their literal, symbolic, and social interpretations. But there’s still much more to talk about that you’ll have to wait for in part two. Enjoy! Some of the stuff mentioned in this episode: Rudyard Kipling’s Kim The Six Realms (according to Wikipedia, anyway) A good image of the six realms A good image of an illustrated Ojoyoshu More on Genshin

In our first “listener response” episode, we tackle the question of how to practice Shin Buddhism (or any kind of Buddhism) if you don’t live near a community. Our take on the issue begins, appropriately enough, on the Internet and how the Web can be a great source of information. But, of course, the Web isn’t always so great in creating human connections, and often the Web is little more than a place to read stuff. Reading isn’t for everyone, after all, so we suggest practicing the recitation of the nembutsu (namo amida butsu), constructing an altar (or butsudan) and of course seeking out good spiritual friends (or kalyanamitra). If you’ve got a question, feel free to drop us a line either through the site or our Facebook page, and we’ll do our best to answer in a future episode. Mentioned in this episode is the very good web resource, Shin Dharma Net, maintained by Prof. Alfred Bloom at ShinDharmanet.com.

In this month’s first episode, we decided to take on the difficult Buddhist concept of “no self” or anatman. It can be a frightening prospect to give up the idea that any of us have a permanent self, but don’t be afraid! It’s good to wrestle with these ideas and come to a deeper understanding of how the five skhandas (discussed last month) are interrelated and impermanent. We start off a little silly today, but somehow manage to get to a good place, wandering through the likes of Tan Luan, J.D. Salinger, Enter the Dragon, and the Mahayana doctrine of “two truths.” Enjoy this episode and don’t forget to send us your questions for future podcasts!

We return to the topic of suffering and start off with the many nuanced meanings of the term. We get into some deep Abhidharma stuff and talk about how all dharmas are marked with impermanence and early Buddhist conceptions of suffering and the nature of samsara. This leads us to a nice little conversation about the relationship between samsara and nirvana which eventually leads us to hearty debate about “basic Buddhism” and what Shinran really knew. We wrap it all up with an insightful commentary on the trap of attachments that cause suffering. Some resources mentioned in this episode include: Herbert V. Guenther. Philosophy and Psychology in the Abhidharma. Originally published 1957. Second Revised Edition, Berkeley: Shambhala Publications, 1974, and Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited, 1974. Ryusei Takeda’s article Pure Land Buddhist View of Duhkha can be downloaded from the IBS’s website.

We’re back! And we’re talking about suffering! We start with the problem of translation — duhkha as suffering, unrest, un- or dis-satisfactoriness, and so forth. Basically, something’s not quite right. How does this fit in with the Four Noble Truths? What is the cause of suffering? What are the different types of suffering? Today we talk about this “basic” Buddhist doctrine that is, at the same time, an extremely high level teaching that points to the fundamental existential problem of human life. Books mentioned in this episode: Walpola Rahula, What the Buddha Taught Ron Epstien, ed., Buddhism A to Z

September 5 we will return with a new batch of podcasts! For the time being, enjoy this video preview of things to come. Click the following link to see a larger, better quality version of this video: Full quality version. Watch out! It’s a pretty big file and may take some time to open up.

Surprise! During our “karma sessions,” we had a lot to say. So we’ve got a short little bonus podcast to wrap up our conversation about karma, the Sharon Stone gaffe, and how karma causes earthquakes. No, no, karma doesn’t cause earthquakes! But we do we do talk about whether or not China’s ruling party has lost the Mandate of Heaven, how to totally transcend karma, and the karmic mechanism that is Dharmakara’s vow. There’s some good little gems in this short “out-take.” Enjoy!

In the second installment of our conversation on karma, we start with a critique of Sharon Stone’s comments on karma, the Chinese government, and earthquakes, exploring the problems with her essentialist claims. We don’t linger there long, though, and wander off to discuss good versus evil karma and whether or not those who do intentionally bad things are beyond redemption. Questions of the “evil” person, of course, bring up Shinshu (and specifically Shinran’s) doctrine about akunin and the problem of evil.

One of the many words from Indian philosophy that has found its way into modern English, the concept of karma is often equated with a kind of fatalistic good (or bad) fortune. Our conversation today covers a lot of ground, from popular (mis)conceptions of what karma means to the relationship of karma to reincarnation and Buddhist conceptions of morality, to how karma is generated through actions of body, speech, and mind. And we don’t even talk about Sharon Stone — yet! You’ll have to check back later in the month for that! Also, a couple of books mentioned in this episode are Robinson and Johnson’s The Buddhist Religion, and Santideva’s classic, the Bodhicaryavatara.

Our second conversation on the Buddha, and what “the Buddha” means, we begin by talking about the Buddha in a specifically Pure Land Buddhist context. In particular we talk about Shinran’s take on the Buddha, Dharmakara, and Amida. Shin Buddhist thought is both a part of Mahayana thought and somehow separate. We explore some of these complexities of Shin thought before concluding with a reflection on our sometimes too-strong attachment to our founders.

What is the buddha? What are the ways people have conceived of the Buddha? Was he just a person? Teacher? Doctor? Historical figure? A transcendental super-human soteriological reality? All of these and more?! These are but some of the questions we raise in our discussion of the Buddha. Siddhartha Gautama, the eternal Sakyamuni Buddha, Buddha-bodies (that’s the nirmanakāya, sambhogakāya, and Dharmakāya), and even Jesus Christ come up in this episode of the DharmaRealm. And don’t forget to listen to the next episode where this conversation turns toward Shin Buddhist conceptions of the Buddha.