How does one get started learning about Buddhism?

How does one get started learning about Buddhism?

Author: Nicholas Bright Haight May 20, 2022 Duration: 19:17

Bright on Buddhism Episode 30 - How does one get started learning about Buddhism? How can you tell if the sources you are looking at are unreliable? How does one become a Buddhist?

Resources: Kevin Trainor: Buddhism: An Illustrated Guide; Donald Lopez: Norton Anthology of World Religions: Buddhism; Chan Master Sheng Yen: Orthodox Chinese Buddhism; Nagarjuna: Verses of The Middle Way (The Madhyamakarika); Conze, Edward, trans. The Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines and Its Verse Summary. Bolinas, CA: Four Seasons Foundation, 1973.; The Bodhisattva Vow: A Practical Guide to Helping Others, page 1, Tharpa Publications (2nd. ed., 1995) ISBN 978-0-948006-50-0; Flanagan, Owen (2011-08-12). The Bodhisattva's Brain: Buddhism Naturalized. MIT Press. p. 107. ISBN 978-0-262-29723-3.; Williams, Paul, Mahayana Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations, Routledge, 2008.; https://anchor.fm/brightonbuddhism/episodes/The-Dhammacakkappavattana-Sutta---The-First-Sermon-e1a97s3

Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta Translations:

First Sermon Bhikku Bodhi Translation: https://suttacentral.net/sn56.11/en/bodhi; First Sermon Ñanamoli Thera Translation:https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn56/sn56.011.harv.html; First Sermon Piyadassi Thera Translation: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn56/sn56.011.nymo.html; First Sermon Thanissaro Bhikkhu Translation: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn56/sn56.011.piya.html; First Sermon Peter Harvey Translation: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn56/sn56.011.than.html

Books by Thich Nhat Hanh:

Being Peace, Parallax Press, 1987, ISBN 0-938077-00-7; Buddha Mind, Buddha Body: Walking Toward Enlightenment, Parallax Press, 2007, ISBN 1-888375-75-2; Cultivating The Mind Of Love, Full Circle, 1996, ISBN 81-216-0676-4; The Art of Living: Peace and Freedom in the Here and Now, HarperOne, 2017, ISBN 978-0062434661; The Art of Power, HarperOne, 2007, ISBN 0-06-124234-9; The Blooming of a Lotus, Beacon Press, 2009, ISBN 9780807012383; Zen Keys: A Guide to Zen Practice, Harmony, 1994, ISBN 978-0-385-47561-7; The Miracle of Mindfulness, Rider Books, 1991, ISBN 978-0-7126-4787-8

Books by DT Suzuki:

An Introduction to Zen Buddhism, Kyoto: Eastern Buddhist Soc. 1934. Republished with foreword by C.G. Jung, London: Rider & Company, 1948.; The Training of the Zen Buddhist Monk, Kyoto: Eastern Buddhist Soc. 1934. New York: University Books, 1959. This work covers a "description of the Meditation Hall and its life".; Manual of Zen Buddhism, Kyoto: Eastern Buddhist Soc. 1935. London: Rider & Company, 1950, 1956. New York: Random House, 1960 and subsequent editions.; The Zen Doctrine of No-Mind, London: Rider & Company, 1949. York Beach, Maine: Red Wheel/Weiser 1972, ISBN 0-87728-182-3.; Living by Zen. London: Rider & Company, 1949.

Do you have a question about Buddhism that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by tweeting to us @BrightBuddhism, emailing us at Bright.On.Buddhism@gmail.com, or joining us on our discord server, Hidden Sangha https://discord.gg/tEwcVpu!

Credits:

Nick Bright: Script, Cover Art, Music, Voice of Hearer, Co-Host

Proven Paradox: Editing, mixing and mastering, social media, Voice of Hermit, Co-Host


Nicholas Bright Haight brings his academic background and personal curiosity to each episode of Bright On Buddhism. As a scholar of East Asian Buddhism currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Religion, with a specialization in pre-modern Japanese Buddhist architecture, Nick approaches these conversations with both depth and accessibility. The discussions unfold in a relaxed, question-and-answer style, making often complex philosophical and historical ideas feel approachable and immediately relevant. You’ll hear explorations that draw from his specific research areas, like Japanese Buddhist historical responses to cultural shifts, while also addressing the broader, timeless questions at the heart of the tradition. This isn’t a formal lecture series, but rather a thoughtful dialogue meant for anyone with an interest in how these ancient teachings intersect with modern life. The Bright On Buddhism podcast creates a space where scholarly insight meets casual conversation, demystifying topics without losing their profound essence. Whether you're well-versed in Buddhist thought or just beginning to explore spirituality and religion, these episodes offer a grounded and informative perspective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 252

Bright On Buddhism
Podcast Episodes
Kōan Series - What is the Buddha? Three Pounds of Flax [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:57
Bright on Buddhism - Kōan Series Episode 9 - What is the Buddha? Three Pounds of Flax Hello and welcome to a new episode of the Kōan Series. In this series, we will read and discuss real Buddhist kōans to try and better…
Vajrasekhara Sutra - Fascicle Two Part Two [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:58
Bright on Buddhism - Vajrasekhara Sutra - Fascicle Two - Part Two Resources: https://www.bdkamerica.org/product/two-esoteric-sutras/; Bentor, Yael, and Meir Shahar, eds. Chinese and Tibetan esoteric Buddhism. Leiden ; Br…
Why does Pure Land seem so similar to Christianity? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:36
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 87 - It's hard not to notice that Pure Land Buddhism has some similarities to Christianity. Why is that? What are the doctrinal similarities between pure land and Christianity? What are the d…
What is "un-knowing" in Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:04
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 86 -What is "un-knowing" in Buddhism? Is it the same as Agnosticism? What is its relationship to faith? Resources: Robert Buswell; Donald Lopez (2013), Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism, Princ…
Youtube and Patreon Announcement! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16
Bright on Buddhism - Youtube and Patreon Announcement Hey everybody, we have just created a Youtube channel and a Patreon page. The Youtube channel will be just another platform where you can listen to Bright on Buddhism…
What are omamori? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:34
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 85 - What are omamori? What is their history? What is their significance? Resources: Reader, Ian; Tanabe, George J. (1998). Practically Religious: Worldly Benefits and the Common Religion of…
Avatamsaka Sutra Book 30 - The Incalculable [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:42
Bright on Buddhism - Avatamsaka Sutra - Book 30 - The Incalculable Join us as we read and discuss Book 30 of Thomas Cleary's translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra! Resources: Prince, Tony (2014). Universal Enlightenment, A…
Guest Appearance - Cristian Castellanos [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:23
Bright on Buddhism - Guest Appearance - Cristian Castellanos This week, Bright on Buddhism welcomes our 5th special guest, Cristian Castellanos! He is a former graduate school colleague of Nick's, and together, they will…
What is self-immolation? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:48
Bright on Buddhism Episode 27 - What is self-immolation? Why do people do it? What are some examples of self immolation in the Buddhist scriptural texts? Resources: Kevin Trainor: Buddhism: An Illustrated Guide; Donald L…
Vajrasekhara Sutra - Fascicle Two Part One [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:20
Bright on Buddhism - Vajrasekhara Sutra - Fascicle Two - Part One Resources: https://www.bdkamerica.org/product/two-esoteric-sutras/; Bentor, Yael, and Meir Shahar, eds. Chinese and Tibetan esoteric Buddhism. Leiden ; Br…