Opening with a discussion of transcendence in Buddhist science and philosophy, Robert Thurman gives a teaching on selflessness, transcendent wisdom, and the key of how to develop freedom from absolutism in order to cultivate altruism and interconnection with all beings and reality.

This podcast includes a discussion on how understanding selflessness leads beyond space-like equipoise samadhi to natural focus on universal love and compassion, intensifying the desire to be of benefit to oneself and all others. The episode concludes with a line reading of the first chapter of “The Holy Teaching of Vimalakirti Sutra,” with a discussion of the infinite multiverse and Buddha Lands (or Buddhaverses) as taught by the historical Buddha in his Mahayana Sutras, disclosing his Universal Vehicle of Buddhism.

“Robert Thurman’s Basic Buddhism is a collective series of five lectures he has given on Buddhism. In these lectures, Thurman patiently takes apart each jewel of Buddhism: the Buddha as the teacher of enlightenment, the Dharma as the teaching, or the enlightenment reality itself, and the Sangha as the historical and current community of learners seeking to become Buddhas.”

-Text from Better Listen Basic Buddhism

This episode is an excerpt from the Better Listen “Basic Buddhism” audio course. To learn more and to enjoy the full recording, please visit: www.betterlisten.com.

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