Bright On Buddhism
by Nicholas Bright Haight
Welcome to Bright on Buddhism, a podcast where we discuss and explain topics of Buddhism in a casual, conversational, question and answer setting. My name is Nick Bright, scholar of East Asian Buddhism. I am currently studying for my Master’s degree in Religion at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, where I am specializing in pre-modern Japanese Buddhist architecture history. I have researched topics such as Japanese Buddhist responses to the Covid-19 pandemic, Buddhist Haiku poetry, and the Japanese history of science and religion. I will be joined by my friend Proven Paradox.
Episodes
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Lohicca Sutta
Bright on Buddhism - Lohicca Sutta Join us as we read and discuss the Lohicca Sutta in its entirety! Resources: https://accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.12.0.than _________________________________ If you like our show and would like to support us, we encourage you to give your money or…
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Who was Nagarjuna?
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 150 - Who was Nagarjuna? What were some of his views and written works? How did they affect Buddhism in East Asia? Resources: Westerhoff, Jan Christoph. "Nāgārjuna". In Zalta, Edward N. (ed.). Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. ISSN 1095-5054. OCLC 429049174. Rhys...
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What is mudra?
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 149 - What is mudra? What is its significance in Buddhism? How ought we understand it? Resources: Draeger, Donn (1980). "Esoteric Buddhism in Japanese Warriorship", in: No. 3. 'Zen and the Japanese Warrior' of the International Hoplological Society Donn F. Draeger...
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What is the fifth precept of Buddhism?
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 148 - What is the fifth precept of Buddhism? What is its significance? How have interpretations of it changed over time? Resources: Keown, Damien (2013b), "Buddhist Ethics", in LaFollette, Hugh (ed.), The International Encyclopedia of Ethics, Blackwell Publishing, pp....
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Research Project Series - The Yakuza - Part 2
Bright on Buddhism - Research Project Series - The Yakuza - Part 2 Resources: Adelstein, Jake (2009). Tokyo Vice: An American Reporter on the Police Beat in Japan. New York: Pantheon Books. ISBN 978-0-307-37879-8. OCLC 699874898. —— (2023). The Last Yakuza: A Life in the Japanese Underworld....
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Research Project Series - The Yakuza - Part 1
Bright on Buddhism - Research Project Series - The Yakuza - Part 1 Resources: Adelstein, Jake (2009). Tokyo Vice: An American Reporter on the Police Beat in Japan. New York: Pantheon Books. ISBN 978-0-307-37879-8. OCLC 699874898. —— (2023). The Last Yakuza: A Life in the Japanese Underworld....
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Mūlapariyāya Sutta
Bright on Buddhism - Mūlapariyāya Sutta Resources: Ñanamoli; Bodhi; The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha, Outline of the suttas. Kearney, Patrick; EVAṂ ME SUTTAṂ This is how I heard it; Mūlapariyāya Sutta: The process of delusion....
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Who was Thich Quang Duc?
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 147 - Who was Thich Quang Duc? What was the significance of his sacrifice in Buddhism? What was his legacy in the Vietnam war? Resources: Buttinger, Joseph (1967), Vietnam: A Dragon Embattled, Praeger Publishers Dung, Thay Phap (2006), "A Letter to Friends about our...
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What is shinjin 信心?
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 146 - What is shinjin? Where does it come from? What is its significance? Resources: Blum, Mark L. The Origins and Development of Pure Land Buddhism: a Study and Translation of Gyōnen's Jōdo Hōmon Genrushō. Oxford, New York, Oxford University Press, 2002. Matsunaga,...
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What is the Buddhist perspective on neurodiversity?
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 145 - What is the Buddhist perspective on neurodiversity? How does neurodiversity factor into meditation? How is neurodiversity understood in Buddhism? Special thanks to Tanner! _________________________________ If you like our show and would like to support us, we...
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Feed Drop - Nihonshi, A Japanese History Podcast - The Assassination of Abe Shinzō
Bright on Buddhism - Feed Drop - Nihonshi, A Japanese History Podcast - The Assassination of Abe Shinzō Join me as I drop an episode of my forthcoming 2nd podcast, Nihonshi, a Japanese History Podcast. On this show, we will be discussing topics in Japanese history and diving deep into their...
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Who was Saichō?
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 144 - Who was Saichō? What were some of his views, works, and accomplishments? What is his significance to East Asian Buddhism? Resources:Groner, Paul (2000). Saicho : The Establishment of the Japanese Tendai School. University of Hawaii Press. Abe Ryūichi: Saichō and...
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Who was Kūkai?
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 143 - Who was Kukai? What were some of his views, works, and accomplishments? What is his significance to East Asian Buddhism? Resources: Clipston, Janice (2000). Sokushin-jōbutsu-gi: Attaining Enlightenment in This Very Existence, Buddhist Studies Reviews 17 (2),...
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Buddhish 28 - Ordination of Robot Monks - Part 2
Bright on Buddhism - Buddhish Episode 28 - Ordination of Robot Monks - Part 2 Join us as we discuss the recent ordination of AI-powered robots as Buddhist monks in South Korea and Japan. _________________________________ If you like our show and would like to support us, we encourage you to give...
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Buddhish 27 - Ordination of Robot Monks - Part 1
Bright on Buddhism - Buddhish Episode 27 - Ordination of Robot Monks - Part 1 Join us as we discuss the recent ordination of AI-powered robots as Buddhist monks in South Korea and Japan. _________________________________ If you like our show and would like to support us, we encourage you to give...
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Kōan Series - Unmon's Kanshiketsu
Bright on Buddhism - Kōan Series Episode 15 - Unmon's Kanshiketsu Hello and welcome to a new episode of the Kōan Series. In this series, we will read and discuss real Buddhist kōans to try and better understand them. We hope you enjoy. Resources: Episode 10 -...
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Śrīmālādevī Siṃhanāda Sūtra - Part 3 - Chapters 11-15
Bright on Buddhism - Śrīmālādevī Siṃhanāda Sūtra - Part 3 - Chapters 11-15 Join us as we read and discuss Chapters 11-15 of the Diana Paul translation of the Śrīmālādevī Siṃhanāda Sūtra Barber, Anthony W. (2009), Buddhism in the Krishna River Valley of Andhra, NY: State Univ of New York Brown,...
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What was the haibutsu kishaku 廃仏毀釈 movement in Meiji Japan?
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 142 - What was the haibutsu kishaku movement in Meiji Japan? Why did it happen? What was the result? Resources: Breen, John and Mark Teeuwen. (2000). Shinto in History: Ways of the Kami. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 978-0-8248-2362-7; ISBN...
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Feed Drop - Nihonshi, A Japanese History Podcast - 3/11 Fukushima Nuclear Disaster
Bright on Buddhism - Feed Drop - Nihonshi, A Japanese History Podcast - 3/11 Fukushima Nuclear Disaster Join me as I drop an episode of my forthcoming 2nd podcast, Nihonshi, a Japanese History Podcast. On this show, we will be discussing topics in Japanese history and diving deep into their...
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What are mandalas?
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 141 - What are mandalas? What is their significance in Buddhism? How ought we understand them? Resources: Brauen, M. (1997). The Mandala, Sacred circle in Tibetan Buddhism Serindia Press, London. Bucknell, Roderick & Stuart-Fox, Martin (1986). The Twilight Language:...
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Śrīmālādevī Siṃhanāda Sūtra - Part 2 - Chapters 6-10
Bright on Buddhism - Śrīmālādevī Siṃhanāda Sūtra - Part 2 - Chapters 6-10 Join us as we read and discuss Chapters 1-5 of the Diana Paul translation of the Śrīmālādevī Siṃhanāda Sūtra Barber, Anthony W. (2009), Buddhism in the Krishna River Valley of Andhra, NY: State Univ of New York Brown, Brian...
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Who is Bodhidharma?
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 140 - Who is Bodhidharma? What is his significance to East Asian Buddhism? What are some legends about him? Resources: charya, Raghu (2017), Shanon, Sidharth (ed.), Bodhidharma Retold – A Journey from Sailum to Shaolin, New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN...
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Feed Drop - Nihonshi, A Japanese History Podcast - The History of Haiku
Bright on Buddhism - Feed Drop - Nihonshi, A Japanese History Podcast - History of Haiku Join me as I drop an episode of my forthcoming 2nd podcast, Nihonshi, a Japanese History Podcast. On this show, we will be discussing topics in Japanese history and diving deep into their circumstances, their...
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What is the fourth moral precept of Buddhism?
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 139 - What is the fourth moral precept of Buddhism? What is its significance? How have interpretations of it changed over time? Resources: Keown, Damien (2013b), "Buddhist Ethics", in LaFollette, Hugh (ed.), The International Encyclopedia of Ethics, Blackwell...
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What are the 3 mysteries in Shingon Buddhism?
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 138 - What are the 3 mysteries in Shingon Buddhism? What are their significance? How ought we understand it? Resources: Arai, Yusei (1997). Koyasan Shingon Buddhism: A Handbook for Followers, Japan: Koyasan Shingon Mission, ISBN 4-9900581-1-9. Bowring, Richard (2008)....
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Śrīmālādevī Siṃhanāda Sūtra - Part 1 - Chapters 1-5
Bright on Buddhism - Śrīmālādevī Siṃhanāda Sūtra - Part 1 - Chapters 1-5 Join us as we read and discuss Chapters 1-5 of the Diana Paul translation of the Śrīmālādevī Siṃhanāda Sūtra Barber, Anthony W. (2009), Buddhism in the Krishna River Valley of Andhra, NY: State Univ of New York Brown, Brian...
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Sokushin Jōbutsu-gi - Attainment of Buddhahood in This Very Existence
Bright on Buddhism - Sokushin Jōbutsu-gi - Attainment of Buddhahood in This Very Existence Join me as I read and discuss the Hakeda Yoshito translation of Kūkai's Sokushin Jōbutsu-gi. Resources: Clipston, Janice (2000). Sokushin-jōbutsu-gi: Attaining Enlightenment in This Very Existence, Buddhist...
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Who is Bhaisajyaguru?
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 137 - Who is Bhaisajyaguru? What are some stories about him? What is his significance? Resources: The Sūtra on the Original Vows and Merits of the Medicine Master Lapis Lazuli Light Tathagata (藥師琉璃光如來本願功德經): English Translation by the Chung Tai Translation Committee...
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What is Gelug Buddhism?
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 136 - What is Gelug Buddhism? What are some of its similarities and differences to other schools of Buddhism? What is its historical significance? Resources: Schaik, Sam van. Tibet: A History. Yale University Press 2011 Powers, John (2007) Introduction to Tibetan...
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What is Hawaiian Buddhism?
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 135 - What is Hawaiian Buddhism? What is its history? How does it interact with the tensions surrounding Hawaii's statehood? Resources: https://tricycle.org/magazine/buddhism-hawaii-big-island/...
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Kōans with Dox
Bright on Buddhism - Kōans with Dox Join us as we discuss 3 major kōans in Zen Buddhism - “Ordinary Mind is the Way,” “Not the wind, not the flag,” and “a non-Buddhist questions the Buddha.” _________________________________ If you like our show and would like to support us, we encourage you to...
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Revisit - What are the fundamental beliefs of Buddhism?
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 134 - Revisit - What are the fundamental beliefs of Buddhism? Does Buddhism have an afterlife? Does Buddhism have a bible like Christianity? Resources: Kevin Trainor: Buddhism: An Illustrated Guide Donald Lopez: Norton Anthology of World Religions: Buddhism Chan…
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Research Project Series - Yōkai
Bright on Buddhism - Research Project Series - Yōkai Resources: Foster, Michael Dylan (2009). Pandemonium and Parade: Japanese Monsters and the Culture of Yōkai. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-25361-2. Hirota, Ryūhei (2021). "Traversing the Natural, Supernatural, and Paranormal:...
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Who was Daosheng?
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 133 - Who was Daosheng? What did he do? What is his significance to East Asian Buddhism? Resources: Blum, Mark (2003). "Daosheng". In Buswell, Robert E. (ed.). Encyclopedia of Buddhism. New York: Macmillan Reference Lib. pp. 201–202. ISBN 0028657187. Buswell, Robert…
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Avatamsaka Sutra Book 8 - The Four Holy Truths
Bright on Buddhism - Avatamsaka Sutra - Book 30 - The Incalculable Join us as we read and discuss Book 30 of Thomas Cleary's translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra! Resources: Prince, Tony (2014). Universal Enlightenment, An introduction to the teachings and practices of Huayen Buddhism. Kongting...
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How do you balance romantic desire and the desire for companionship with non-attachment?
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 132 - How do you balance romantic desire and the desire for companionship with non-attachment? Is romantic desire bad in Buddhism? What are the potential dangers of desire for partnership and companionship? Resources:...
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What is the third moral precept of Buddhism?
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 131 - What is the third moral precept of Buddhism? What is its significance? How have interpretations of it changed over time? Resources: Keown, Damien (2013b), "Buddhist Ethics", in LaFollette, Hugh (ed.), The International Encyclopedia of Ethics, Blackwell…
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Research Project Series - Nishida Kitarō
Bright on Buddhism - Research Project Series - Nishida Kitarō Join me as I discuss the life and times of Nishida Kitarō, and his principle work, 善の研究 (Zen no Kenkyū) An Inquiry Into The Good. _____________ At the time of recording, the list of people murdered by ICE includes - Victor Manuel Díaz…
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Buddhish 26 - Walk for Peace
Bright on Buddhism - Buddhish Episode 26 - Walk for Peace Join us as we discuss the Walk for Peace going on in the Southeastern US. If you like our show and want to support us financially, we ask that you instead send that support to a worthy cause. In our previous charity throw we directed...
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Who is Budai?
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 130 - Who is Budai? What are some stories about him? How is he depicted in iconography and why? Resources: Leighton, Taigen Dan (1998). Bodhisattva Archetypes: Classic Buddhist Guides to Awakening and Their Modern Expression. New York: Penguin Arkana. pp. 260–261....
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Who is Tārā?
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 129 - Who is Tara? What are some stories about her? How is she depicted in iconography and why? Resources: Beer, Robert (2003). A Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols. Boston: Shambhala. ISBN 978-1590301005. Blofeld, John (1992). The Tantric Mysticism of Tibet: A...
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Kālāma Sutta
Bright on Buddhism - Kālāma Sutta - Join us as we read and discuss the Soma Thera translation of the Kalama Sutta in its entirety Resources: Root texts Pali text at SuttaCentral (available in five scripts, including Roman and Devanagari) Translations With the Kālāmas of Kesamutta, translation by...
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Asian Religions Series - Shintō Part 6
Bright on Buddhism - Feed Drop - Nihonshi, A Japanese History Podcast Join us as we drop part 3 of a 3 part series narrating the story of the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki, two myth-histories of Japan. This series serves both as a feed drop of the forthcoming Nihonshi podcast and as Asian Religions...
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Asian Religions Series - Shintō Part 5
Bright on Buddhism - Feed Drop - Nihonshi, A Japanese History Podcast Join us as we drop part 2 of a 3 part series narrating the story of the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki, two myth-histories of Japan. This series serves both as a feed drop of the forthcoming Nihonshi podcast and as Asian Religions...
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Asian Religions Series - Shintō Part 4
Bright on Buddhism - Feed Drop - Nihonshi, A Japanese History Podcast Join us as we drop part 1 of a 3 part series narrating the story of the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki, two myth-histories of Japan. This series serves both as a feed drop of the forthcoming Nihonshi podcast and as Asian Religions...
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2025 Wrap Up
Bright on Buddhism - 2025 Wrap Up Join us as we celebrate 2025 and look ahead to 2026! https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank Do you have a question about Buddhism that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by emailing us at [email protected]. Credits: Nick Bright:...
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What is Tibetan Buddhism?
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 128 - What is Tibetan Buddhism?What are some important historical points about it? What do the various schools of Tibetan Buddhism believe? Resources: Cabezón, José Ignacio (26 October 2006). "Tibetan Buddhist Society". In Juergensmeyer, Mark (ed.). The Oxford…
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Buddhish 24 - TTRPGs
Bright on Buddhism - Buddhish Episode 24 - TTRPGs Join us as we discuss Nick and Dox's ongoing TTRPG! https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank Do you have a question about Buddhism that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by emailing us at [email protected]. Credits:...
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Guest Episode - Katie Nolan - Dharma Voices for Animals
Bright on Buddhism - Guest Episode - Dharma Voices for Animals Join us as we speak with a very special guest, Katie Nolan, Communications Director for Dharma Voices for Animals, a Buddhist animal rights organization. https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank Do you have a question...
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Tevijja Sutta
Bright on Buddhism - Tevijja Sutta Join us as we read and discuss the Bhikku Sujato translation of the Tevijja Sutta in its entirety. Resources: https://suttacentral.net/dn13/en/sujato?lang=en&layout=plain&reference=none¬es=asterisk&highlight=false&script=latin;...
About this show
Welcome to Bright on Buddhism, a podcast where we discuss and explain topics of Buddhism in a casual, conversational, question and answer setting. My name is Nick Bright, scholar of East Asian Buddhism. I am currently studying for my Master’s degree in Religion at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, where I am specializing in pre-modern Japanese Buddhist architecture history. I have researched topics such as Japanese Buddhist responses to the Covid-19 pandemic, Buddhist Haiku poetry, and the Japanese history of science and religion. I will be joined by my friend Proven Paradox.
Hosted by
Nicholas Bright Haight
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