Early Buddhism and the Four Great Vows, a seminar with Stephen Batchelor, 4 March 2017, part 1 of 4

A Seminar with Stephen Batchelor, hosted by the Western Chan Fellowship, at St Werburgh's Community Centre, Bristol, on 4 March 2017
The earliest Buddhist teachings can be understood as offering a means to transform oneself and society. Stephen argues that the presentation of Noble 'Truths' is a later interpretation of the early teachings and tends to direct attention towards dogma, which was never the Buddha's intention. He argues that these teachings reveal the Buddha as a pragmatic ethicist rather than metaphysicist, and shows how the four Noble Truths can become four integrated practices for awakened living that can be practised moment to moment.
Part 1, this opening talk
Part 2, questions and discussion session • Early Buddhism and the...
Part 3, second talk • Early Buddhism and the...
Part 4, closing questions and discussion • Early Buddhism and the...
www.westernchanfellowship.org...

[@jaredclark8335]

This revelation has completely upended my practice. It's a relief to know that I don't have to explain metaphysics to people at a party, I can simply tell them what I do and what the practice has done for me!