What is Buddhist cosmology?

What is Buddhist cosmology?

Author: Nicholas Bright Haight July 1, 2022 Duration: 25:06

Bright on Buddhism Episode 35 - What is Buddhist cosmology? How does that play out in ritual and practice? How does it change over time? 


Resources: Mahathero, Punnadhammo. The Buddhist Cosmos: A Comprehensive Survey of the Early Buddhist Worldview; According to Theravāda and Sarvāstivāda Sources. Independently published, 2018.; 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.; Bhattacharya, Vidhushekhara (1943), Gauḍapādakārikā, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass; Boruah, Bijoy H. (2000), Atman in Śūnyatā and the Śūnyatā of Atman, South Asia Seminar, University of Texas at Austin.; Bronkhorst, Johannes (2009), Buddhist Teaching in India, Wisdom Publications; Walser, Joseph (2018), Genealogies of Mahāyāna Buddhism: Emptiness, Power and the Question of Origin, New York: Routledge; Streng, Frederick. Emptiness: A Study in Religious Meaning. Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 1967.; Victor Sogen Hori: Zen Sand; Dogen: Shobogenzo; BDK: Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai Website https://www.bdk.or.jp/english/; Sharf, Robert (2014). "Mindfulness and Mindlessness in Early Chan" (PDF). Philosophy East and West. 64 (4): 933–964. doi:10.1353/pew.2014.0074. ISSN 0031-8221. S2CID 144208166; Williams, Paul; Tribe, Anthony (2000). Buddhist Thought: a Complete Introduction to the Indian Tradition. London: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-20700-2.; Bhikkhu Anālayo (2018). Rebirth in early Buddhism & current research: With forewords by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Bhante Gunaratna. Somerville, MA, USA: Wisdom Publications. ISBN 978-1-61429446-7.; Dogen, ‘The Flowering of the Dharma Sets the Dharma’s Flowering in Motion' (Hokke ten Hokke); “Saichō and Mount Hiei,” Sources of Japanese Tradition, Volume 1: 123-152.  Hazama, Jikō. "The Characteristics of Japanese Tendai." Japanese Journal of Religious Studies 14, no. 2/3 (1987): 101-12. Endō, Asai. "The "Lotus Sutra" as the Core of Japanese Buddhism: Shifts in Representations of Its Fundamental Principle." Japanese Journal of Religious Studies 41, no. 1 (2014): 45-64.; Paul Groner, Saichō: The Establishment of the Tendai School, Honolulu: University of Hawai’i Press, 2000.; Williams, Paul, Mahayana Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations, Routledge, 2008, pp. 195–196.


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
What is Gelug Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:14
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 136 - What is Gelug Buddhism? What are some of its similarities and differences to other schools of Buddhism? What is its historical significance?Resources: Schaik, Sam van. Tibet: A History.…
What is Hawaiian Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:47
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 135 - What is Hawaiian Buddhism? What is its history? How does it interact with the tensions surrounding Hawaii's statehood? Resources: https://tricycle.org/magazine/buddhism-hawaii-big-islan…
Kōans with Dox [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:51
Bright on Buddhism - Kōans with Dox Join us as we discuss 3 major kōans in Zen Buddhism - “Ordinary Mind is the Way,” “Not the wind, not the flag,” and “a non-Buddhist questions the Buddha.” _____________________________…
Revisit - What are the fundamental beliefs of Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:35
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 134 - Revisit - What are the fundamental beliefs of Buddhism? Does Buddhism have an afterlife? Does Buddhism have a bible like Christianity?Resources:Kevin Trainor: Buddhism: An Illustrated G…
Research Project Series - Yōkai [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:57
Bright on Buddhism - Research Project Series - YōkaiResources: Foster, Michael Dylan (2009). Pandemonium and Parade: Japanese Monsters and the Culture of Yōkai. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-25361-2.Hiro…
Who was Daosheng? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:54
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 133 - Who was Daosheng? What did he do? What is his significance to East Asian Buddhism?Resources: Blum, Mark (2003). "Daosheng". In Buswell, Robert E. (ed.). Encyclopedia of Buddhism. New Yo…
Avatamsaka Sutra Book 8 - The Four Holy Truths [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:47
Bright on Buddhism - Avatamsaka Sutra - Book 30 - The IncalculableJoin us as we read and discuss Book 30 of Thomas Cleary's translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra!Resources: Prince, Tony (2014). Universal Enlightenment, An…
What is the third moral precept of Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:21
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 131 - What is the third moral precept of Buddhism? What is its significance? How have interpretations of it changed over time?Resources:Keown, Damien (2013b), "Buddhist Ethics", in LaFollette…
Research Project Series - Nishida Kitarō [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:53
Bright on Buddhism - Research Project Series - Nishida KitarōJoin me as I discuss the life and times of Nishida Kitarō, and his principle work, 善の研究 (Zen no Kenkyū) An Inquiry Into The Good. _____________At the time of r…