Dharma Gates Are Numberless by Stephen Batchelor

This talk was taken from an eight day retreat on Sŏn Buddhism at Gia House back in April this year.

Based on that followed in the Sŏn (Zen) Buddhist tradition of Korea these talks looked at seeking a balance between the calm of open awareness and a focus of deep inquiry into the nature of our lives through the question (kungan / koan) 'What is this?' Equal emphasis was given to traditional instructions and contemporary interpretation of the tradition.




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Emptiness And Solitude by Stephen Batchelor

In this talk Stephen Batchelor explores the concept of emptiness and the fact that both it and solitude are described in relation to what is lacking.

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Clearly Visible but Hard to See by Stephen Batchelor

Stephen Batchelor is a contemporary Buddhist teacher and writer, best known for his secular or agnostic approach to Buddhism. Stephen considers Buddhism to be a constantly evolving culture of awakening rather than a religious system based on immutable dogmas and beliefs. In particular, he regards the doctrines of karma and rebirth to be features of ancient Indian civilisation and not intrinsic to what the Buddha taught. Buddhism has survived for the past 2,500 years because of its capacity to reinvent itself in accord with the needs of the different Asian societies with which it has creatively interacted throughout its history. As Buddhism encounters modernity, it enters a vital new phase of its development. Through his writings, translations and teaching, Stephen engages in a critical exploration of Buddhism's role in the modern world, which has earned him both condemnation as a heretic and praise as a reformer.



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Self by Stephen Batchelor

Reflection on passages from the suttas of the Pali Canon where the Buddha explores the meaning of "self" (atta).



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Unholy Emptiness by Stephen Batchelor

Bodhidharma, the founder of Ch'an (Zen) Buddhism, was invited to visit the Emperor Wu of Liang, who was a great patron of Buddhism. The Emperor had built many monasteries, and he asked Bodhidharma what merit his generosity had earned. "No merit," said Bodhidharma. Startled, the Emperor asked Bodhidharma the supreme truth of the Dharma. "unholy emptiness" replied Bodhidharma. Finally, the Emperor asked, "Who are you?" "I don't know" said Bodhidharma.

Stephen Batchelor examines "Emptiness" in the context of the Buddha's teaching of the "Four Noble Truths".



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A True Person of No Status by Stephen Batchelor

The following is another talk by Stephen Batchelor from a series on Zen meditation given at Gaia House.






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Starting All Over Again Part One by Stephen Batchelor

The first two of this series of three talks by Stephen Batchelor are somewhat longer than is usual for Thursday evening talks but the series was so popular time was made available (we had our tea earlier!)



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Starting All Over Again Part Two by Stephen Batchelor

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Starting All Over Again Part Three by Stephen Batchelor

In this talk Stephen Batchelor examines the "middle path" of the Buddha's teaching. Taken from a Zen retreat at Gaia House.



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The Buddhist Atheist, interview with Stephen Batchelor

In this interview with Vince Horn of Buddhist Geeks, Secular Buddhist teacher Stephen Batchelor explores some of the ideas presented in his newest book, Confession of a Buddhist Atheist. They start off by examining the two Buddhist doctrines of karma and rebirth, using the original teachings of the Buddha, especially the “imponderables” as a touchstone for the conversation. Stephen’s basic claim being that the belief in rebirth doesn’t have sufficient evidence behind it, and it actually takes away from the core practices and teachings of the Buddha.



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