The Relationship Between Buddhism and the Vedic Worldview - Part One

Author: Thom Knoles
Published: Sun 31 Aug 2025
Episode Link: https://thomknoles.com/podcast/buddhism-vedic-worldview-1

Jai Guru Deva.

We wanted to let you know that the full schedule and registration details for Thom's upcoming Mexico tour are now online. The program includes free group meditations and knowledge sessions, opportunities to learn Vedic Meditation and receive an advanced technique directly from Thom, refresher sessions for existing meditators, a live Satsang session, and a five-day four-night rounding retreat.

This is also your opportunity to book a life-changing private one-on-one consultation with Thom while he's in Mexico City. The tour runs from September 17 to 29, and you can find out more at thomknoles.com/mexico. That's thomknoles.com/mexico.

Though Buddhism has spread far and wide and has taken on many different ‘flavors,’ its origins are from the heartland of the North Indian subcontinent, ensuring an inescapable link to the Vedic worldview.

In this episode, Thom explores the birth story of Buddhism, and the similarities and differences between the Buddhist and Vedic worldviews.

It’s a fascinating insight, including an explanation of how the two worldviews have diverged, with the interpretation of a single sentence from Buddha’s teachings having a profound impact on Buddhist philosophy today.

Episode Highlights

[00:45] An Umbrella Body of Knowledge

[05:00] Spending Time With the Dalai Lama

[07:27] Buddha - The Shakya Muni

[10:07] Searching for the Truth

[12:43] The Middle Way

[14:26] Searching for a Guru

[18:01] Buddhism is Not One Thing

[20:50] The No-thingness

[23:29] Sap in Expressed Form

[25:15] The Unmanifest Field of Pure Potentiality

[27:02] The Origin of Tibetan Buddhism