Nicholas Bright Haight

Bright On Buddhism

Religion EN ↓ 265 episodes

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.

Author

Nicholas Bright Haight

Category

Religion

Podcast website

podcasters.spotify.com

Latest episode

Jul 10, 2026

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Episodes

What are Asuras in Buddhism? 08.09.2023

Bright on Buddhism Episode 69 - What are Asuras in Buddhism? What is their status in the canon? How ought we understand them? Resources: Kōno, Tama (1959). Iwanami Koten Bungaku Taikei 10: Utsubo Monogatari (in Japanese). Iwanami Shoten. ISBN 4-00-060010-9.; Kōno, Tama (1960). Iwanami Koten Bungaku Taikei 11: Utsubo Monogatari (in Japanese). Iwanami Shoten. ISBN 4-00-060011-7.; Kōno, Tama (1962)....

What are devas in Buddhism? 01.09.2023

Bright on Buddhism Episode 68 - What are devas in Buddhism? What is their status in the canon? How ought we understand them? Resources: Robert E. Buswell Jr.; Donald S. Lopez Jr. (2013). The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press. pp. 232–233. ISBN 9781400848058. Retrieved 22 June 2015.; Trainor, Kevin (2004). Buddhism: The Illustrated Guide. Oxford: Ox...

Buddhish Episode 11 - State of The Show 25.08.2023

Buddhish Episode 11 - State of The Show News Resources: https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-powered-drone-tried-killing-its-operator-in-military-simulation-2023-6?r=US&IR=T Do you have a question about Buddhism that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by finding us on email or social media! https://linktr.ee/brightonbuddhism Credits: Nick Bright: Script, Cover Art, Music, Voice of Hearer,...

Asian Religions Series - Confucianism Part 1 18.08.2023

Bright on Buddhism - Asian Religions Series - Confucianism Part 1 Hello and welcome to a new type of episode of Bright on Buddhism, called the Asian religions series. In this series, we will be discussing religious traditions in Asia other than Buddhism. Buddhism never existed in a vacuum, and as it has spread all across East Asia, it has developed, localized, and syncretized with local traditions...

What are the Pratyekabuddhas? 11.08.2023

Bright on Buddhism Episode 67 - What are the Pratyekabuddhas? What is their status in the canon? How ought we understand them? Resources: Kloppenborg, Ria (1974). The Paccekabuddha: A Buddhist Ascetic, Brill, Leiden, Netherlands; Anālayo, B. (2010). Paccekabuddhas in the Isigili-sutta and its Ekottarika-àgama Parallel, Canadian Journal of Buddhist Studies 6, 5-36; The Paccekabuddha: A Buddhist Asc...

What is Sōka Gakkai? 04.08.2023

Bright on Buddhism Episode 66 - What is Sōka Gakkai? What is their history? What are some of their teachings? References: Sōka Gakkai in America: Accommodation and Conversion By Phillip E. Hammond and David W. Machacek. London: Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-829389-5; "The Sōka Gakkai: Buddhism and the Creation of a Harmonious and Peaceful Society" by Daniel A. Metraux in Engaged Bud...

Asian Religions Series - Hinduism Part 2 28.07.2023

Bright on Buddhism - Asian Religions Series - Hinduism Part 2 Hello and welcome to a new type of episode of Bright on Buddhism, called the Asian religions series. In this series, we will be discussing religious traditions in Asia other than Buddhism. Buddhism never existed in a vacuum, and as it has spread all across East Asia, it has developed, localized, and syncretized with local traditions in...

Kōan Series - The World-Honored One Ascends the Platform 21.07.2023

Bright on Buddhism - Kōan Series Episode 7 -  The World-Honored One Ascends the Platform Hello and welcome to a new type of episode of Bright on Buddhism, called 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 - https://anchor.fm/brightonbuddhism/episodes/What-is-Zen-Buddhism-e1a2sm2 Episode...

Lotus Sutra Chapters 11-12 - Emergence of the Treasure Tower and Devadatta 14.07.2023

Chapters 11-12 of The Lotus Sutra - Join us as we read and discuss Chapter 11-12 of the Burton Watson translation of The Lotus Sutra Resources: Hurvitz, Leon. 1976. Scripture of the Lotus Blossom of the Fine Dharma. New York:  Columbia University Press.; Kato, Bunno. 1971. The Threefold Lotus Sutra: Innumerable Meanings, The Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Law, and Meditation on the Bodhisattva Univ...

What are sacred spaces in Buddhism? 07.07.2023

Bright on Buddhism Episode 65 - What are sacred spaces broadly? What are sacred spaces in Buddhism specifically? What are their characteristics? How have they changed and stayed the same over time? Resources: Chan, Khoon San, Buddhist Pilgrimage; Le Huu Phuoc (2009), Buddhist architecture, Grafikol ISBN 978-0-9844043-0-8; Skilling, Peter, Chapter 2 in Amaravati: The Art of an Early Buddhist Monume...

What are the 5 hindrances? 30.06.2023

Bright on Buddhism Episode 64 - What are the 5 hindrances? How does one overcome them? How have understandings of them changed over time? Resources: Anālayo, Bhikkhu (2006). Satipatthāna: The Direct Path to Realization. Birmingham: Windhorse. ISBN 1-899579-54-0.; Bodhi, Bhikkhu, tr. (2000). The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A New Translation of the Samyutta Nikaya. Boston: Wisdom Publication...

Revisit - What is Buddhism? 23.06.2023

Bright on Buddhism Episode 63 - Revisit - What is Buddhism? Why are we talking about it? Do all Buddhists believe the same thing? Do you have a question about Buddhism that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by tweeting to us @BrightBuddhism, emailing us at Bright. On. Buddhism@gmail.com, or joining us on our discord server, Hidden Sangha  https://discord.gg/tEwcVpu ! Credits: Nick Bright:...

If killing is bad in Buddhism, what is the status of carnivorous animals? 16.06.2023

Bright on Buddhism Episode 62 - If killing is bad in Buddhism, what is the status of carnivorous animals? What does loving-kindness and compassion look like for them? Are all animals looked upon in such a defeatist way in Buddhism? Resources: Brecher, W. Puck. Animal Care in Japanese Tradition : a Short History. Ann Arbor, MI: Association for Asian Studies, 2022. Print.; Ambros, Barbara R. Bones o...

Asian Religions Series - Hinduism Part 1 09.06.2023

Bright on Buddhism - Asian Religions Series - Hinduism Part 1 Hello and welcome to a new type of episode of Bright on Buddhism, called the Asian religions series. In this series, we will be discussing religious traditions in Asia other than Buddhism. Buddhism never existed in a vacuum, and as it has spread all across East Asia, it has developed, localized, and syncretized with local traditions in...

Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra - Chapters 8-9 02.06.2023

Chapters 8 and 9 of the Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra - Join us as we read and discuss the Burton Watson translation of Chapters 8 and 9 of the Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra Resources: Cole, Alan (2005). Text as Father: Paternal Seductions in Early Mahayana Buddhist Literature, Berkeley: University of California Press, pp. 236–325. (See chapter 6 for an in-depth account of the narrative in the Vimalakīrti...

Kōan Series - No Mind, No Buddha 26.05.2023

Bright on Buddhism - Kōan Series Episode 6 -  No Mind, No Buddha Hello and welcome to a new type of episode of Bright on Buddhism, called 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 6 - https://anchor.fm/brightonbuddhism/episodes/What-is-non-attachment-and-the-Middle-Way-e17gp0u Episode 10...

Who is Nichiren? 19.05.2023

Bright on Buddhism Episode 61 - Who was Nichiren? What were some of his views, works, and accomplishments? What is his significance to East Asian Buddhism? Resources: Christensen, J. A. (2000). Nichiren. Fremont, CA: Jain Publishing Co. ISBN 978-0875730868.; Ikeda, Daisaku (July 2013). The opening of the eyes: Commentaries on the writings of Nichiren. Newick. ISBN 9781938252341. OCLC 1063697629.;...

Who is Rahula? 12.05.2023

Bright on Buddhism Episode 60 - Who is Rahula? What role does he play in the texts? How does this role change over time? Resources: Crosby, Kate (2013), "The Inheritance of Rāhula: Abandoned Child, Boy Monk, Ideal Son and Trainee", in Sasson, Vanessa R. (ed.), Little Buddhas: Children and Childhoods in Buddhist Texts and Traditions, Oxford University Press, pp. 97–123, ISBN 978-0-19-9945...

What is the relationship between Buddhism and social revolution? 05.05.2023

Bright on Buddhism - Social Revolution - What is the relationship between Buddhism and social revolution? How has that relationship played out in history? How has it played out in the modern era? Resources: Puligandla, R., and K. Puhakka. “Buddhism and Revolution.” Philosophy East and West 20, no. 4 (1970): 345–54. https://doi.org/10.2307/1397820. https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/jones/...

What is the 3 bodies (trikaya) doctrine in Buddhism? 28.04.2023

Bright on Buddhism Episode 59 - What is the 3 bodies doctrine in Buddhism? What role does it play in ritual and doctrine? How have understandings of it changed over time? Resources: Radich, Michael (2007). Problems and Opportunities in the Study of the Bodies of the Buddha, New Zealand Journal of Asian Studies 9 (1), 46-69; Xing, Guang (2005). The Concept of the Buddha: Its Evolution from Early Bu...

What is violence in Buddhism? 21.04.2023

Bright on Buddhism - Violence - What constitutes violence in Buddhism? How does the conception of violence change over time? According to the Buddhist scriptures, what ought to be done about violence? Content warning - This episode contains descriptions of violence and killing. Listener discretion is advised. Resources: Barbaro, Paolo (2010), "Buddhism and Violence". In: Jeffrey Ian Ross...

Who is Subhuti? 14.04.2023

Bright on Buddhism 58 - Who is Subhuti? What role does he play in the texts? What is his role in Mahayana Buddhism? Resources: Adamek, Wendi Leigh (2007), The Mystique of Transmission: On an Early Chan History and Its Contexts, Columbia University Press, ISBN 978-0-231-13664-8, archived from the original on 2022-05-06, retrieved 2020-11-03; Buswell, Robert E. (2004), Encyclopedia of Buddhism, Busw...

Buddhish Episode 10 - The Dalai Lama Names a Successor 07.04.2023

Buddhish Episode 10 - The Dalai Lama Names a Successor News Resources: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/dalai-lama-reincarnation-succession-china-8525467/ https://stratnewsglobal.com/general/dalai-lama-moves-to-counter-china-on-succession/ Do you have a question about Buddhism that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by finding us on email or social media! https://linktr.ee/bright...

Why do some say that Buddhism is not a religion? 31.03.2023

Bright on Buddhism Episode 57 - Why do some say that Buddhism is not a religion? What evidence have they for that claim? What are the historical roots of this debate?   Resources: The Making of Buddhist Modernism, David L. McMahan. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008.; Buddhism and Science, Donald S Lopez Jr, 2008, University of Chicago Press; How the Swans Came to the Lake: A Narrative His...

Lotus Sutra Chapter 5 - Medicinal Herbs 24.03.2023

Chapter 5 of The Lotus Sutra - Join us as we read and discuss Chapter 5 of the Burton Watson translation of The Lotus Sutra Resources: Hurvitz, Leon. 1976. Scripture of the Lotus Blossom of the Fine Dharma. New York:  Columbia University Press.; Kato, Bunno. 1971. The Threefold Lotus Sutra: Innumerable Meanings, The Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Law, and Meditation on the Bodhisattva Universal Vir...

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