In this Wisdom Podcast episode host Daniel Aitken joins Douglas Duckworth as they discuss Douglas’s translation The Great Hūṃ. Douglas Duckworth is a professor of religion at Temple University in Philadelphia. He received his PhD in religious studies (Indo-Tibetan Buddhism) from the University of Virginia in 2005, and he previously taught at Kathmandu University. In this episode, Douglas shares his journey of becoming interested in the text during his studies in India and Nepal, and he shares the challenges and rewards of working on such a monumental text.

You’ll hear Daniel and Douglas discuss:

• the text's structure, its thematic elements, the profound philosophical implications of bodhicitta;

• the structure and significance of the Bodhicaryāvatāra;

• the ninth chapter's unique challenges; and

• much more!

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Join Daniel Aitken and Ācārya Malcolm Smith as they discuss the roots of Dzogchen and the aural lineage in the Great Perfection tradition as described in Malcolm’s newest translation Yoga Of The Natural State, releasing in the winter of 2025 and available now for pre-order. In this episode of the Wisdom Podcast, recorded live as a Wisdom Dharma Chat, explore the historical transmission of Dzogchen teachings through the textual and aural lineages and the roles these play in preserving the authenticity and comprehensibility of the teachings. You won’t want to miss this illuminating conversation.

You’ll hear Daniel and Malcolm discuss:

• the process of translating Longchenpa’s writings;

• differences between ‘awareness of awareness’ and the true nature of rigpa;

• key Dzogchen terms such as original purity (ka dag) and natural perfection (lhun grub);

• Chogyal Namkhai Norbu and his impact on spreading Dzogchen teachings to the West; and

• much more!

In this enriching Wisdom Podcast episode, host Daniel Aitken is joined by Christopher Ives, a professor and Zen practitioner. Chris is an author, translator, and avid outdoorsman. His writing focuses on ethics in Zen Buddhism and Buddhist approaches to nature and environmental issues. His previous publications with Wisdom include Zen on the Trail and Meditations on the Trail. Throughout the conversation, Chris and Daniel go in-depth exploring the themes in Chris’s newest release, Zen Ecology. They discuss how Zen's principles of interconnectedness, non-dualism, and mindful living intersect with ecological concerns, and how Zen practice can inspire a sustainable lifestyle with reduced environmental impact.

You’ll also hear Daniel and Chris discuss:

• Environmental roots and activism;
• Zen’s symbiotic relationship with nature;
• Buddhism's role in structural change;
• much more!

Wisdom Podcast listeners are invited to save 20% off Zen Ecology with code WPODECO through March 31.