Buddhism

De: Malcolm David Eckel, The Great Courses

Narrado por: Malcolm David Eckel

Duración: 12 h y 31 m

Resumen del Editor

Buddhism has captivated many millions of people around the world, its vitality and adaptability enabling it to transform the civilizations of India, Southeast Asia, Tibet, China, Korea, and Japan, and also become a lively component in the cultures of Europe, Australia, and the Americas. But have you ever wondered how a religion that doesn't even have a god could have accomplished this?

Now you have the opportunity to have your questions answered, as this series of 24 lectures by an award-winning teacher traces the history, principles, and evolution of a theology that is both familiar and foreign.

You'll learn the astonishing story of Siddhartha Gautama - who was to become the Buddha, or "enlightened one" - the Indian prince who abandoned wife, son, and a privileged life to seek the meaning of life and death, and whose "awakening" and subsequent teachings have since impacted the world as few others have.

And you'll learn what happened after his death, as his followers began to share his teachings about the "Four Noble Truths" and the "Path" to Enlightenment. You'll see how Buddhist beliefs underwent significant and even radical change, with different varieties of Buddhism having to take shape as those beliefs spread across India, Central Asia, China, Japan, and virtually every corner of the Western world, such as becoming more respectful of one's duties to family and ancestors in China or becoming reconciled with local deities in Japan.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2001 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2001 The Great Courses

Great introduction to Buddhism

I liked both the professor and the lectures. He maps the history and teachings across Asia and America. I recommend this course, I had a great time listening to it

Lovely to listen to

Through out the course professor Eckel tells a few person stories of his experiences of Buddhism and Buddhists, all of which are heart-warmingly endearing whilst still on topic and beneficial to the learning experience.

Many facets of Buddhism

Eckel makes it clear that there is a rich history and diversity of Buddhism around the world. Each society, culture, people, and nation has contributed to, and changed the nature of, Buddhism in unique ways. Because of the multi-faceted nature of this religion/way-of-life, the lectures indicate that there is much more one can learn.

So many things I did not know, clearly revealed in the lectures.

I've been curious about Buddism for 40 years after being introduced to a small book: the Prophet by Khalil Gibran. My time in college lead to a fascination with Japanese art, language and culture.
These lectures provide a wonderful introduction to the origination and history of the Religion and its with through time.
I have so much more to learn.

good overview

definitely the overview and history I was looking for.
now I have lots of ideas for other avenues of study

Good Basic Overview

I really enjoyed this course. The professor has a variety of engaging and interesting personal anecdotes that he adds to the lectures. This was a great introduction, so if you are looking for something really in depth, you probably won't like this as much. But great for someone who doesn't know much about Buddhism.

Comprehensive overview with enthusiasm and insight

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you ever wondered what Buddhism is and how it has transformed the cultures it has touched this series will fascinate and delight. It may lead the listener to explore the Buddha's philosophy that has enriched many lives over the millennia since he taught in India.

What did you like best about this story?

The way it follows the spread of Buddhism showing the power of philosophy and spiritual inquiry to transform human cultures.

What does Professor Malcolm David Eckel bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Professor Eckel has a direct and at times quirky way of conveying complex and obscure ideas. He brings both drama and humour into his performance.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Buddhism - philosophy or religion? The ideas of the Buddha are entering the mainstream of western society with increasing interest in the benefits of meditation and practical philosophy. How did the teachings of this wandering Indian monk influence the cultures to which they spread? Prepare to be challenged, delighted and intrigued as the story of this great spiritual tradition unfolds.

Clinical, scholarly historical narrative

Broad general narrative on the history and spread of buddhism around the globe, from its origin in India to its presence in American life today. Not much in the way of the beliefs and practices of various buddhist schools, and what is discussed is done so in a clinical, scholarly manner, as one on the outside looking in and attempting to describe what he sees. The speaker is a knowledgeable, well-versed academician on the subject.

Fascinating material, engaging delivery

I enjoyed this course so much!

It gave me a view into the colourfulness, uniqueness, liveliness, complex history, and immense diversity, of Buddhism. It provides a very good balance to the sanitized version of Buddhism you read about in Western self-help books.

It made me want to travel around the world and visit the Buddhist holy sites that he mentions.

A thorough primer on a profound philosophy

Buddhism has come to enraptured me prior to this lecture, and now even more so. Professor Eckel has a tremendous capacity for this subject and is clearly passionate about it, although with such a broad range of mutations and the breadth of Buddhism's history, I can't quite help but consider these lectures as something of a primer, nor do I believe that it wasn't the professor's intention for it to be beyond that