Buddhism

By: Malcolm David Eckel, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Malcolm David Eckel

Length: 12 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

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.

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

Informative, entertaining and personal

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

Very informative lectures. The balance between being high level and providing too much information is well maintained. The author is clearly an expert on the subject, he draws from personal experience and tells us many anecdotes about his personal experience with Buddhism.

Informal and relaxed lecture style; very easy to listen to. I highly recommend this lecture series.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Buddhism?

He is very passionate about the subject.

Great listen

The instructor clearly has a passion for sharing Buddhism and putting it in lay terms. I'll definitely be revisiting this book/lecture series again!