Buddhist Philosophy in Dialogue Michael Grin

Associate Professor

Thursdays from 10am12pm

Classics and Philosophy

September 28November 2, 2017

University of British Columbia

UBC Extended Learning Elder Scholars

michael.grin@ubc.ca
Tapestry at Wesbrook Village
michaeljamesgrin.com
blogs.ubc.ca/buddhistphilosophy
Explore the rich and vibrant world of Buddhist philosophical thought, set in
dialogue with Western philosophy and science. Engage with ideas from classical
Buddhist cosmologies, practical ethics, psychology and mythology. Review a
selection of texts and images from nearly 2,500 years of Buddhist history,
focusing on accessible readings in the Pli canon, Tibetan commentarial
literature, and material from Western Buddhist authors and critics writing today.

This course is for everyone; no prior knowledge of Buddhism is required.

Course Webpage and Readings

View slides, readings, and course resources at blogs.ubc.ca/buddhistphilosophy

The password for protected material is eudaimonia (all lower case)

Calendar
Sep 28: Introducing the Buddha and Philosophy

Framework: Approaching Buddhisms

Overview: The Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha

Transmission: Orality, Texts, and Schools

Oct 5: Introducing the Dharma

The Four Noble Truths

The Eightfold Noble Path

Sla, Samdhi, and Paa

Oct 12: la or Sla

Habituation and Virtue

Healthy speech, healthy action, healthy livelihood

Oct 19: Samadhi

Concentration and focus

Healthy eort, healthy mindfulness (sati), healthy concentration (samadhi)

Oct 26: Praj or Paa

Insight and Understanding

Healthy view, healthy resolve

Nov 2: The Sangha and Conclusions

Basic Points Unifying the Theravda and Mahyna
1. The Buddha is our only Master (teacher and guide)

2. We take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sagha

(the Three Jewels)

3. We do not believe that this world is created and ruled by a God.

4. We consider that the purpose of life is to develop compassion for all living beings without
discrimination and to work for their good, happiness, and peace; and to develop wisdom
(praj) leading to the realization of Ultimate Truth

5. We accept the Four Noble Truths, namely dukha, the arising of dukha, the cessation of
dukha, and the path leading to the cessation of dukha; and the law of cause and eect
(prattyasamutpda)

6. All conditioned things (saskra) are impermanent (anitya) and dukha, and that all
conditioned and unconditioned things (dharma) are without self (antma) (see trilaksana).

7. We accept the thirty-seven qualities conducive to enlightenment (bodhipakadharma) as

dierent aspects of the Path taught by the Buddha leading to Enlightenment.

8. There are three ways of attaining bodhi or Enlightenment: namely as a disciple (rvaka),
as a pratyekabuddha and as a samyaksambuddha (perfectly and fully enlightened
Buddha). We accept it as the highest, noblest, and most heroic to follow the career of a
Bodhisattva and to become a samyaksambuddha in order to save others.

9. We admit that in dierent countries there are dierences regarding Buddhist beliefs and
practices. These external forms and expressions should not be confused with the
essential teachings of the Buddha.

First Congress of the World Buddhist Sangha Council (1967)

Buddhaghoa