Institute of Buddhist Studies Podcast

This is part four of a six part series. Dennis Hirota, Professor in the Department of Shin Buddhist Studies at Ryukoku University, Kyoto, was the Institute of Buddhist Studies' 2010 Ryukoku Lecturer. Dr. Hirota's topic was "Shinran's Phenomenology of Religious Life: Toward a Rethinking of Shinjin." The lecture was divided into three parts over the course of three separate days. The audio tracks here roughly compare to the following: * Lecture One, "The Shin Buddhist Path and Truth": parts one and two * Lecture Two, "The Shin Buddhist Path and Time": parts three and four * Lecture Three, "The Shin Buddhist Path and Dwelling": parts five and six Dr. Hirota is known for his translation work in "The Collected Works of Shinran" and original works such as "No Abode: The Record of Ippen," "Toward a Contemporary Understanding of Pure Land Buddhism," "Shinran: An Introduction to His Thought," and "Tannisho: A Primer." Originally recorded March 10, 16, and 17, 2010 at the Institute of Buddhist Studies in the Jodo Shinshu Center, Berkeley, Ca. Copyright © 2010, Denis Hirota.

This is part three of a six part series. Dennis Hirota, Professor in the Department of Shin Buddhist Studies at Ryukoku University, Kyoto, was the Institute of Buddhist Studies' 2010 Ryukoku Lecturer. Dr. Hirota's topic was "Shinran's Phenomenology of Religious Life: Toward a Rethinking of Shinjin." The lecture was divided into three parts over the course of three separate days. The audio tracks here roughly compare to the following: * Lecture One, "The Shin Buddhist Path and Truth": parts one and two * Lecture Two, "The Shin Buddhist Path and Time": parts three and four * Lecture Three, "The Shin Buddhist Path and Dwelling": parts five and six Dr. Hirota is known for his translation work in "The Collected Works of Shinran" and original works such as "No Abode: The Record of Ippen," "Toward a Contemporary Understanding of Pure Land Buddhism," "Shinran: An Introduction to His Thought," and "Tannisho: A Primer." Originally recorded March 10, 16, and 17, 2010 at the Institute of Buddhist Studies in the Jodo Shinshu Center, Berkeley, Ca. Copyright © 2010, Denis Hirota.

This is part two of a six part series. Dennis Hirota, Professor in the Department of Shin Buddhist Studies at Ryukoku University, Kyoto, was the Institute of Buddhist Studies' 2010 Ryukoku Lecturer. Dr. Hirota's topic was "Shinran's Phenomenology of Religious Life: Toward a Rethinking of Shinjin." The lecture was divided into three parts over the course of three separate days. The audio tracks here roughly compare to the following: * Lecture One, "The Shin Buddhist Path and Truth": parts one and two * Lecture Two, "The Shin Buddhist Path and Time": parts three and four * Lecture Three, "The Shin Buddhist Path and Dwelling": parts five and six Dr. Hirota is known for his translation work in "The Collected Works of Shinran" and original works such as "No Abode: The Record of Ippen," "Toward a Contemporary Understanding of Pure Land Buddhism," "Shinran: An Introduction to His Thought," and "Tannisho: A Primer." Originally recorded March 10, 16, and 17, 2010 at the Institute of Buddhist Studies in the Jodo Shinshu Center, Berkeley, Ca. Copyright © 2010, Denis Hirota.

Dennis Hirota, Professor in the Department of Shin Buddhist Studies at Ryukoku University, Kyoto, was the Institute of Buddhist Studies' 2010 Ryukoku Lecturer. Dr. Hirota's topic was "Shinran's Phenomenology of Religious Life: Toward a Rethinking of Shinjin." The lecture was divided into three parts over the course of three separate days. The audio tracks here roughly compare to the following: * Lecture One, "The Shin Buddhist Path and Truth": parts one and two * Lecture Two, "The Shin Buddhist Path and Time": parts three and four * Lecture Three, "The Shin Buddhist Path and Dwelling": parts five and six Dr. Hirota is known for his translation work in "The Collected Works of Shinran" and original works such as "No Abode: The Record of Ippen," "Toward a Contemporary Understanding of Pure Land Buddhism," "Shinran: An Introduction to His Thought," and "Tannisho: A Primer." Originally recorded March 10, 16, and 17, 2010 at the Institute of Buddhist Studies in the Jodo Shinshu Center, Berkeley, Ca. Copyright © 2010, Denis Hirota.

Daniel Veidlinger of the University of California, Chico, presents an engaging talk on the developing importance of the written word in early Buddhist history. Buddhism arose in an oral world where monks were charged with memorizing the words of the Buddha in order to preserve them. Writing is not mentioned in the Pali canon, and there is little emphasis on the idea of honoring or even using books in authoritative Theravada literature until the end of the first millennium CE. On the other hand, key Mahayana texts have from the beginning reserved their highest praise for the Dharma-bearing written word, and archeological and iconographic evidence as well as accounts of Chinese travelers suggest that stupas were made to enshrine texts and that books were the subject of votive cults. In predominantly Theravada regions such as Burma, Sri Lanka and central Thailand, a positive change of attitude towards books and writing coincided with the height of Mahayana influence in those areas, which led to the ritual veneration of books and manuscripts in these parts of the Theravada world as well. Originally recording October 2, 2009 © 2009 Daniel Veidlinger

STRANGERS TO EACH OTHER ~ Names without Faces or Stories ~ Panel Presentation that sought to connect Ministers, Chaplains, and Counselors to the names, faces, stories, and concerns of members of the LGBT Community. Through their voices we hear from all people who have experienced alienation, exclusion or exile from their faith community. Facilitator: Demetrio Tafoya (Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, GTU) Commentator: Dr. Daijaku Judith Kinst (Institute of Buddhist Studies) Originally recorded April 10, 2009. Audio only © 2007 Demtrio Tafoya

On May 23, 2009, the Institute hosted an informative open house that showcased our new chaplaincy and MDiv programs. The event was also an opportunity to learn more about what the IBS has to offer, and featured discussions by Dean Richard Payne, Rev. Daijaku Judith Kinst, and others.

Prof. Steve Jenkins of Humboldt State University delivered a lecture at the IBS titled Compassionate Violence, Torture and Warfare in the Bodhisattva Ideal This is part three of a three-part series. Buddhist allowances for compassionate torture, killing, and warfare are dissonant with with the established perception of Buddhist pacifism. While academic studies of Buddhism have accepted that Mahayana and Tantric though allows for such actions, it has been argued that these allowances are rare and narrow allegorical or magical references, not general ethical guidelines. Prof. Steve Jenkins argues that Buddhist allowances for violence are broad and authoritatively attested to in both Yogacara and Madhyamaka treatises of Mahayana sources. Building on previous work, a survey of tantric sadhanas for killing, and references to Buddhist art and folklore, this lecture argues that the exaggeration of Mahayana pacifism has created a false negative space for the evaluation of trantrism. Originally recorded April 17, 2009 © 2009 Steven Jenkins

Prof. Steve Jenkins of Humboldt State University delivered a lecture at the IBS titled Compassionate Violence, Torture and Warfare in the Bodhisattva Ideal This is part two of a three-part series. Buddhist allowances for compassionate torture, killing, and warfare are dissonant with with the established perception of Buddhist pacifism. While academic studies of Buddhism have accepted that Mahayana and Tantric though allows for such actions, it has been argued that these allowances are rare and narrow allegorical or magical references, not general ethical guidelines. Prof. Steve Jenkins argues that Buddhist allowances for violence are broad and authoritatively attested to in both Yogacara and Madhyamaka treatises of Mahayana sources. Building on previous work, a survey of tantric sadhanas for killing, and references to Buddhist art and folklore, this lecture argues that the exaggeration of Mahayana pacifism has created a false negative space for the evaluation of trantrism. Originally recorded April 17, 2009 © 2009 Steven Jenkins

Prof. Steve Jenkins of Humboldt State University delivered a lecture at the IBS titled Compassionate Violence, Torture and Warfare in the Bodhisattva Ideal This is part one of a three-part series. Buddhist allowances for compassionate torture, killing, and warfare are dissonant with with the established perception of Buddhist pacifism. While academic studies of Buddhism have accepted that Mahayana and Tantric though allows for such actions, it has been argued that these allowances are rare and narrow allegorical or magical references, not general ethical guidelines. Prof. Steve Jenkins argues that Buddhist allowances for violence are broad and authoritatively attested to in both Yogacara and Madhyamaka treatises of Mahayana sources. Building on previous work, a survey of tantric sadhanas for killing, and references to Buddhist art and folklore, this lecture argues that the exaggeration of Mahayana pacifism has created a false negative space for the evaluation of trantrism. Originally recorded April 17, 2009 © 2009 Steven Jenkins

The GTU-UCB Working Group on Religion and Cognitive Science hosted a panel discussion of Mark Graves’ new work Mind, Brain, and the Elusive Soul: Human Systems of Cognitive Science and Religion at the Institute of Buddhist Studies in March 2009. Aimed at both theorists and practitioners working at the intersection of religion, theology, and science, Graves’ book aims to “describe the ‘more’ that does not reduce to the parts” of the human soul. After the three respondents spoke, Mark Graves had an opportunity to respond to their questions and talk about his work.

The GTU-UCB Working Group on Religion and Cognitive Science hosted a panel discussion of Mark Graves’ new work Mind, Brain, and the Elusive Soul: Human Systems of Cognitive Science and Religion at the Institute of Buddhist Studies in March 2009. Aimed at both theorists and practitioners working at the intersection of religion, theology, and science, Graves’ book aims to “describe the ‘more’ that does not reduce to the parts” of the human soul. The third panelist/respondent was IBS Dean, Richard K. Payne.

The GTU-UCB Working Group on Religion and Cognitive Science hosted a panel discussion of Mark Graves’ new work Mind, Brain, and the Elusive Soul: Human Systems of Cognitive Science and Religion at the Institute of Buddhist Studies in March 2009. Aimed at both theorists and practitioners working at the intersection of religion, theology, and science, Graves’ book aims to “describe the ‘more’ that does not reduce to the parts” of the human soul. The second panelist/respondent was GTU graduate and clinical psychologist Mary Walsh.

The GTU-UCB Working Group on Religion and Cognitive Science hosted a panel discussion of Mark Graves' new work Mind, Brain, and the Elusive Soul: Human Systems of Cognitive Science and Religion at the Institute of Buddhist Studies in March 2009. Aimed at both theorists and practitioners working at the intersection of religion, theology, and science, Graves' book aims to "describe the 'more' that does not reduce to the parts" of the human soul. The first panelist/respondent was Doug Oman of the UC Berkeley School of Public Health. This event was filmed on March 13, 2009.

Highlights from the 2009 IBS Winter Symposium The Great Sound of Enlightenment: Shin Buddhist Music Throughout the Ages held at the BCA National Council Meeting, February 26, 2009 In part four of this four-part series, Peter Hata discusses youth jazz bands at the West Covina Buddhist Temple.