The reason why we sometimes think that the goal of Buddhism is just to become nobody is because we don't understand the concept of selflessness. Selflessness does not mean that we are nobody, it does not mean that we cease to exist. There is no way you can ever not exist, just as you cannot become nothing. In this podcast Professor Thurman continues to discuss the concept of selflessness.

Podcast includes a short introduction to the Buddhist perspective of emptiness and it's relationship with physics, a discussion of Nirvana and an explanation of the Buddha's non-dual relationship to suffering.

This episode was recorded on February 27, 2016.

Is the Goal of Buddhism to Become Nobody? - Ep. 57 of the Bob Thurman Podcast photo by David Gabriel Fischer via Zen Diary.

"Is the Goal of Buddhism to Become Nobody? - Ep. 57 of the Bob Thurman Podcast is a part of the Buddhism 101 series using classic teachings from the archives of Robert A.F. Thurman to elucidate basic concepts of the tradition.

This week’s episode’s of the Bob Thurman Podcast was brought to you in part through the monthly support of the Tibet House US Membership Community and Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, New York.

Listen to more archive recordings from past Robert A.F. Thurman teachings + public events please consider becoming a Tibet House US member. To learn about the benefits of Tibet House US Membership please visit: www.tibethouse.us.

The songs “Trance Tibet” & ‘Dancing Ling’ by Tenzin Choegyal from the album ‘Heart Sutra‘ (2004) by Ethno Super Lounge is used on the Bob Thurman Podcast with artist’s permission, all rights reserved.