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
Who is Samantabhadra/Puxian/Fugen? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:46
Bright on Buddhism Episode 28 - Who is Samantabhadra/Puxian/Fugen? What are some stories about Samantabhadra/Puxian/Fugen? What sort of devotional texts/rituals are there for Samantabhadra/Puxian/Fugen? Resources: https:…
The Contemplation Sutra [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:58:26
The Contemplation Sutra - Join us as we read and discuss the Contemplation Sutra Resources: Inagaki, Hisao, trans. The Sutra on the Visualization of the Buddha of Infinite Life Delivered by Sakyamuni Buddha. BDK English…
How does Buddhism perceive friendships and romantic relationships? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:49
Bright on Buddhism Episode 26 - How does Buddhism perceive friendships and romantic relationships? How does this relate to non-attachment? How does one maintain these relationships and follow the precepts? Resources: Kev…
How does one remember their past lives in Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:58
Bright on Buddhism Episode 25 - What does the canon say about people who claim to remember their past lives or parts of them? How does one come to remember past lives? What does Buddhism say about groups of people whose…
What are mantra in Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:10
Bright on Buddhism Episode 24 - What is the meaning of the word mantra? What are the different understandings of this word in Buddhism? What are some of the most famous mantras and their function? Resources: Kevin Traino…
How does Buddhism deal with the issue of destiny and fate? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:49
Bright on Buddhism Episode 23 - How does Buddhism deal with the issue of destiny and fate? How much control does one have over destiny and fate? How does karma affect how much agency we have in our lives? Resources: Kevi…
What are the different realms of Samsara? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:54
Bright on Buddhism Episode 22 - What are the different realms of Samsara? What are their native inhabitants like? What happens when they die? Resources: Kevin Trainor: Buddhism: An Illustrated Guide; Donald Lopez: Norton…
What is common Buddhist temple etiquette? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:03
Bright on Buddhism Episode 21 - What is common Buddhist temple etiquette? What is the doctrinal foundation for this etiquette? How is this etiquette different between different schools of Buddhism? Resources Yun, Venerab…
The Diamond Sutra [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:33
The Diamond Sutra - Join us as we read and discuss the Diamond Sutra Resources: Kevin Trainor: Buddhism: An Illustrated Guide; Donald Lopez: Norton Anthology of World Religions: Buddhism; Watson, Burton. “The Diamond Sut…