Buddhism & nihilism: what's the difference? 🤔

from Buddhist Wisdom, Modern Life · host Claire Villarreal, PhD

I was listening to a Radiolab episode recently (link & description below) that was all about nihilism and why it seems to be having a moment right now.   It got me thinking about the difference between Buddhism, with all its talk about how nothing is inherently existent, we're all going to die, etc., and proper nihilism.    The difference? Buddha nature! After we strip away everything, there's still a luminous layer of reality according to Buddhist teachings.   Radiolab episode: https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/radiolab/articles/dust-planet-2204   "Horror, fashion, and the end of the world … In this episode, first aired in 2014, but maybe even more relevant today, things get weird as we explore the undercurrents of thought that link nihilists, beard-stroking philosophers, Jay-Z, and True Detective." Check out my book, The Buddhist Path to Joy: https://geni.us/buddhistpathtojoy May all beings be well.

What this episode covers

I was listening to a Radiolab episode recently (link & description below) that was all about nihilism and why it seems to be having a moment right now. It got me thinking about the difference between Buddhism, with all its talk about how nothing is inherently existent, we're all going to die, etc., and proper nihilism. The difference? Buddha nature! After we strip away everything, there's still a luminous layer of reality according to Buddhist teachings. Radiolab episode: https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/radiolab/articles/dust-planet-2204 "Horror, fashion, and the end of the world … In this episode, first aired in 2014, but maybe even more relevant today, things get weird as we explore the undercurrents of thought that link nihilists, beard-stroking philosophers, Jay-Z, and True Detective." Check out my book, The Buddhist Path to Joy: https://geni.us/buddhistpathtojoy May all beings be well.

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This episode was published on May 6, 2022.

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