With a View to Nibbana (Part 2)

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• published: 20 Jul 2009
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University of Toronto, July 12, 2009 Presented at Hart House by Sean M. Smith Abstract: This talk will present an argument about the idiosyncratic nature of the Buddhas teaching. It will attempt to establish the uniqueness of the Buddhas path and to distinguish it from various models of Western thought. The main concept in Buddhism that I will utilize to make this contrast effective is Nibbana; the final Goal of the Buddhas path of practice. By establishing the uniqueness of Nibbana I hope to demonstrate that the recent trend of borrowing piecemeal from the Buddhas teaching carries with it the risk of distorting the message of Dhamma. The Western models I will use to help in this exploration are psychotherapy, neuroscience and philosophy of mind. I also wish to discuss in some detail other important elements of the Buddhas teaching. In addition to Nibbana, some examples are the Four Noble Truths, The Eightfold Noble Path, The Three marks of existence, The Seven Factors of Enlightenment and The Ten Virtues. By explaining these ideas (and others) properly and on their own terms and contrasting them with various western ideas, I hope to make the lines of commitment clear on both sides so that the project of mutual influence can continue in a respectful and wise manner. In this way the talk will also serve as an introduction to the main tenants of the Buddhas teaching.