What is upaya?

What is upaya?

Author: Nicholas Bright Haight September 9, 2022 Duration: 21:09

Bright on Buddhism Episode 39 - What is upaya? What are the different meanings of this word? How do its meanings change over time? 

Resources: Federman, Asaf (2009), "Literal means and hidden meanings: a new analysis of skillful means" (PDF), Philosophy East and West, 59 (2): 125–141, doi:10.1353/pew.0.0050; Matsunaga, Daigan and Alicia (1974). The concept of upāya in Mahāyāna Buddhist philosophy, Japanese Journal of Buddhist Studies 1 (1), 51–72; Pye, Michael (1978). Skilful Means - A concept in Mahayana Buddhism. London: Gerald Duckworth & Co. Ltd. ISBN 0-7156-1266-2; Snellgrove, David (1987). Indo-Tibetan Buddhism: Indian Buddhists & Their Tibetan Successors (2 volumes). Boston, Massachusetts, USA: Shambhala Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-87773-311-2 (v. 1) & ISBN 0-87773-379-1 (v. 2); Schroeder, John (2001) Skillful Means: The Heart of Buddhist Compassion. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 0-8248-2442-3; Tatz, M., trans. (1994). The Skill in Means (Upayakausalya) Sutra. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass; Hurvitz, Leon. 1976. Scripture of the Lotus Blossom of the Fine Dharma. New York:  Columbia University Press.; Kato, Bunno. 1971. The Threefold Lotus Sutra: Innumerable Meanings, The Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Law, and Meditation on the Bodhisattva Universal Virtue. Tokyo:  Kosei Publishing Company.; Kern, H. 1884. 1963. Saddharma-Puṇḍarīka or The Lotus of the True Law. London:  New York:  Clarendon Press. Dover Publications. The Sacred Books of the East, Volume XXI; Kubo, Tsugunari and Akira Yuyama. 1993. The Lotus Sutra: The White Lotus of the Marvelous Law. Tokyo and Berkeley:  Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research.; Murano, Senchū. 1974. 1991. The Lotus Sutra: The Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma. Tokyo:  Nichiren Shu Shimbun.; Reeves, Gene. 2008. The Lotus Sutra. Boston:  Wisdom Publications.; Soothill, W.E. 1930. The Lotus of the Wonderful Law or The Lotus Gospel: Saddharma Puṇḍarīka Sūtra, Miao-fa Lien Hua Ching. Oxford:  Clarendon Press.; Watson, Burton. 1993. The Lotus Sutra. New York:  Columbia University Press.; Lopez, Donald S. The Lotus Sūtra: A Biography. Princeton; Oxford: Princeton University Press, 2016; Teiser, Stephen F., and Jacqueline I. Stone, eds. Readings of the Lotus Sutra. New York: Columbia University Press, 2009.; Lopez, Donald S., and Jacqueline I. Stone. Two Buddhas Seated Side by Side: A Guide to the Lotus Sūtra. Princeton University Press, 2019. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvfjczvz.

Do you have a question about Buddhism that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by finding us on email or social media! https://linktr.ee/brightonbuddhism

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
Asian Religions Series - Hinduism Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:45
Bright on Buddhism - Asian Religions Series - Hinduism Part 1 Hello and welcome to a new type of episode of Bright on Buddhism, called the Asian religions series. In this series, we will be discussing religious tradition…
Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra - Chapters 8-9 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:33
Chapters 8 and 9 of the Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra - Join us as we read and discuss the Burton Watson translation of Chapters 8 and 9 of the Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra Resources: Cole, Alan (2005). Text as Father: Paternal…
Kōan Series - No Mind, No Buddha [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:08
Bright on Buddhism - Kōan Series Episode 6 - No Mind, No Buddha Hello and welcome to a new type of episode of Bright on Buddhism, called the Kōan Series. In this series, we will read and discuss real Buddhist kōans to tr…
Who is Nichiren? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:00
Bright on Buddhism Episode 61 - Who was Nichiren? What were some of his views, works, and accomplishments? What is his significance to East Asian Buddhism? Resources: Christensen, J. A. (2000). Nichiren. Fremont, CA: Jai…
Who is Rahula? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:31
Bright on Buddhism Episode 60 - Who is Rahula? What role does he play in the texts? How does this role change over time? Resources: Crosby, Kate (2013), "The Inheritance of Rāhula: Abandoned Child, Boy Monk, Ideal Son an…
What is the relationship between Buddhism and social revolution? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:38
Bright on Buddhism - Social Revolution - What is the relationship between Buddhism and social revolution? How has that relationship played out in history? How has it played out in the modern era? Resources: Puligandla, R…
What is the 3 bodies (trikaya) doctrine in Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:05
Bright on Buddhism Episode 59 - What is the 3 bodies doctrine in Buddhism? What role does it play in ritual and doctrine? How have understandings of it changed over time? Resources: Radich, Michael (2007). Problems and O…
What is violence in Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:21
Bright on Buddhism - Violence - What constitutes violence in Buddhism? How does the conception of violence change over time? According to the Buddhist scriptures, what ought to be done about violence? Content warning - T…
Who is Subhuti? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:47
Bright on Buddhism 58 - Who is Subhuti? What role does he play in the texts? What is his role in Mahayana Buddhism? Resources: Adamek, Wendi Leigh (2007), The Mystique of Transmission: On an Early Chan History and Its Co…
Buddhish Episode 10 - The Dalai Lama Names a Successor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:51
Buddhish Episode 10 - The Dalai Lama Names a Successor News Resources: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/dalai-lama-reincarnation-succession-china-8525467/ https://stratnewsglobal.com/general/dalai-lama-moves-t…