Introduction to Buddhism

This course is an introduction to the religion of Buddhism. We are missing four lectures; they will be recorded the next time Dr. Tennent lectures on Buddhism.

The Voice of Dissent

1. Emergence of Buddhism 1	Definition of Buddhism and a description of how it began and its present status as a world religion.
2. Emergence of Buddhism 2	Experiences in Siddhartha Gautama's life, and how they led the teachings that resulted in the formation of Buddhism.
3. The First Two Sermons 1	The First Sermon of Buddha
4. The First Two Sermons 2	Description of the five aggregates and the foundational doctrine of Buddhism.
5. The Way of the Elders	Therevada emerged as the preserver of the Way of the Elders. The three jewels of the Therevada are the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.

The Emergence of the "Great Vehicle"

6. Mahayana Buddhism: New Insights	The three insights of Mahayana Buddhism are that Buddha taught secret truths, the Buddha was a divine being and a dharmic concept, not just an earthly figure, and Gautama was not the only Buddha.
7. The Mahayana Sutras	The Mahayana Sutras include the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras, Lotus Sutra, Heart Sutra, Vimalakirti Sutra and the Lankavatara Sutra.
8. The Journey of the Bodhisattva	A bodhisattva is an enlightened one who, out of compassion, forgoes nirvana in order to save others.
9. The Rise of Buddhist Philosophy	We apologize but this lecture is not available. We will record it the next time Dr. Tennent lectures on Buddhism.
10. The Rise of Buddhist Philosophy 2	In Buddhism, actual objects of worship and adoration are ultimately illusory and superseded by true enlightenment.
11. Vajranyana Buddhism	We apologize but this lecture is not available. We will record it the next time Dr. Tennent lectures on Buddhism.
12. Mahayana Buddhist Schools and Lineages 1	Two invocational Mahayana Buddhist Schools are Chinese “Pure Land” Buddhism and Japanese “Pure Land” Buddhism.
13. Mahayana Buddhist Schools and Lineages 2	Chinese and Japanese Meditative Buddhism includes Zen Buddhism.
14. Korean Buddhism	We apologize but this lecture is not available. We will record it the next time Dr. Tennent lectures on Buddhism.

Penetrating the Buddhist Heart

15. Explorations in Buddhist Apologetics 1	Buddhist mudras are hand gestures which have physical and spiritual significance. Family ties in a shame-based culture may often place significant social pressures on a person considering converting from Buddhism to Christianity.
16. Explorations in Buddhist Apologetics 2	The incarnation means that Jesus is both fully God and fully man and came to earth as God in the flesh.
17. Explorations in Buddhist Apologetics 3	The doctrines of transmigration and reincarnation are central to Buddhism and provide no assurance for Buddhists of their ultimate spiritual destination.
18. Explorations in Buddhist Apologetics 4	Buddhism and Christianity have fundamental theological differences.
19. Buddhism in America	We apologize but this lecture is not available. We will record it the next time Dr. Tennent lectures on Buddhism.
20. globalchristianity.org	Guest lecturer, Todd Johnson, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, founder of the Center for the Study of Global Christianity.

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