Bright On Buddhism
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.
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 33 minutes
- Episodes
- 221
- Years Active
- 2021 - 2025
Who is Samantabhadra/Puxian/Fugen?
Bright on Buddhism Episode 28 - Who is Samantabhadra/Puxian/Fugen? What are some stories about Samantabhadra/Puxian/Fugen? What sort of devotional texts/rituals are there for Samantabhadra/Puxian/Fug…
Buddhish Episode 3 - Raising Funds to Combat Anti-Trans and Anti-LGBTQ Legislature in the US
Bright On Buddhism - Buddhish Episode 3 Hello and welcome to a new kind of episode of Bright on Buddhism called "Buddhish"! These episodes are unscripted, untimed, and unedited. Note that we're speak…
The Contemplation Sutra
The Contemplation Sutra - Join us as we read and discuss the Contemplation Sutra
Resources: Inagaki, Hisao, trans. The Sutra on the Visualization of the Buddha of Infinite Life Delivered by Sakyamun…
How does Buddhism perceive friendships and romantic relationships?
Bright on Buddhism Episode 26 - How does Buddhism perceive friendships and romantic relationships? How does this relate to non-attachment? How does one maintain these relationships and follow the pre…
How does one remember their past lives in Buddhism?
Bright on Buddhism Episode 25 - What does the canon say about people who claim to remember their past lives or parts of them? How does one come to remember past lives? What does Buddhism say about gr…
What are mantra in Buddhism?
Bright on Buddhism Episode 24 - What is the meaning of the word mantra? What are the different understandings of this word in Buddhism? What are some of the most famous mantras and their function?
R…
How does Buddhism deal with the issue of destiny and fate?
Bright on Buddhism Episode 23 - How does Buddhism deal with the issue of destiny and fate? How much control does one have over destiny and fate? How does karma affect how much agency we have in our l…
What are the different realms of Samsara?
Bright on Buddhism Episode 22 - What are the different realms of Samsara? What are their native inhabitants like? What happens when they die?
Resources: Kevin Trainor: Buddhism: An Illustrated Guide;…
What is common Buddhist temple etiquette?
Bright on Buddhism Episode 21 - What is common Buddhist temple etiquette? What is the doctrinal foundation for this etiquette? How is this etiquette different between different schools of Buddhism?
R…
The Diamond Sutra
The Diamond Sutra - Join us as we read and discuss the Diamond Sutra
Resources: Kevin Trainor: Buddhism: An Illustrated Guide; Donald Lopez: Norton Anthology of World Religions: Buddhism; Watson, Bur…
Guest Appearance - Ji Hye Robinson
Bright on Buddhism - Guest Appearance - Ji Hye Robinson
This week, Bright on Buddhism welcomes our second special guest, Ji Hye Robinson! Ji Hye is an MA student in the UIUC Religion department, and …
Does Buddhism (or different Buddhisms) have an opinion on transgender or nonbinary identities, historically or in the present?
Bright on Buddhism Episode 20 - Does Buddhism (or different Buddhisms) have an opinion on transgender or nonbinary identities, historically or in the present? How is gender identity thought to intera…
Nirvana Day
Bright on Buddhism - Nirvana Day
Happy Nirvana Day! Welcome to a special holiday episode about the Nirvana Day celebrated this year on February 15, 2022.
Do you have a question about Buddhism that yo…
Guest Appearance - Turner Rives
Bright on Buddhism - Guest Appearance - Turner Rives
This week, Bright on Buddhism welcomes our first special guest, Turner Rives! Turner is an MA student in the UIUC Religion department, and he spe…
What is Yogacara/Faxiang/Hosso Buddhism?
Bright on Buddhism Episode 19 - What is Yogacara/Faxiang/Hosso Buddhism? How does it differ from other schools in East Asia? What role do other teachings of Buddhism play in the Yogacara?
Resources: …
Chinese New Year
Bright on Buddhism - Chinese New Year
Happy Chinese New Year! Welcome to a special holiday episode about the Chinese New Year, celebrated this year on February 1, 2022.
Do you have a question about B…
What is the Buddhist philosophy of speech, language, and words?
Bright on Buddhism Episode 18 - What is the Buddhist philosophy of speech, language, and words? What are some of the doctrines surrounding speech, language, and words? How do these doctrines play out…
Who is Avalokitesvara?
Bright on Buddhism Episode 17 - Who is Avalokitesvara/Guanyin/Kannon? What are some stories about Avalokitesvara/Guanyin/Kannon? What sort of devotional texts/rituals are there for Avalokitesvara/Gua…
How does Buddhism deal with death?
Bright on Buddhism Episode 16 - How does Buddhism deal with death? What are some of the doctrines surrounding death? How do they play out in ritual and practice?
Resources: Kevin Trainor: Buddhism: A…
Bodhi Day
Bright on Buddhism - Bodhi Day
Happy Bodhi Day! Welcome to a special holiday episode about the Buddhist holiday Bodhi Day, celebrated this year on January 10, 2022.
Do you have a question about Buddh…