The Ancients: Siddhartha Guatama

A lecture exploring the core of Buddhism and its continuing influence today. Delivered at Peninsula College by Wesley Cecil, Phd.

[@Loenthall88]

One of the most wonderful channels I ever had the pleasure of discovering.

[@retu3510]

That's it, I'm going to practice buddhism. This is a practical philosophy I can get behind.

[@JimmyPlato1]

Hi re tu.... Yes I agree: Buddhism is a great Philosophy of life that teaches the individual what he or she ought to do and how to live life in the best way possible instead of what a person ought not to do and how not to live life.

[@chowhan13]

Look at Stoicism

[@cheri238]

​@@chowhan13 All is good. ❤

[@ou-rb2gv]

Have you ever done a lecture on the similarities better the Greek philosophers, and ancient Indian religions? That would be tres cool :)

[@kleebraden26]

Awesome. Love your material!

[@arthurw8054]

Extraordinary lecture, capturing so much depth in such concise, simple language. And witty as hell to boot. Thanks.

[@orphanmanchu9963]

I like the examination of the original teachings of the Buddha, because it seems to be correct from an historical-critical point of view to say things were added on after the life of the historical Buddha. However, to say 44:18 "nobody knows what's going on there (in Tibet)." and "(those in Tibetan Buddhism/esoteric Buddhism) aren't going to share with you unless you go thru stages" is really not accurate. There are two paths in Tibetan Buddhism: sutra and tantra. Everything taught in this lecture is sutra, which are the texts. Esoteric Buddhism adds tantra which are very much about practice. It is thought that due to the nature of what happens in tantric practice, it isn't openly taught because (1) before you go down that path you need a sound mind and a sound teacher, and (2) it's a very personal experience, and non-practitioners also likely will misunderstand and possibly even ridicule it. It sounds weird to the uniformed that you will do thousands of mantra recitations, or try to develop visualization practices. So it isn't taught openly much for that reason, at least that's the intention, anyway. No teacher of any repute hides sutra teachings, they are taught as essentials and taught freely and openly. If one wants to say only the original teachings are important and later things are unnecessary add-ons, I think there is a valid debate to hold about that. If that were the case, I would raise this point: if the historical Buddha emphasized that perception is key .... while that may fundamentally be true, it isn't terribly surprising that successive generations asked... well can you really get a good understanding of the flaws in your perception if you also haven't examined the broader nature of what the world is like outside you and your experience of it? If you only read and try to follow the Four Noble Truths and the eight fold path, maybe it's no problem for you. But if you have troubles getting to that goal, there are other tools to get you there, of which tantra is one.

[@12ozmouse]

Wow, of course you would do a lecture on Siddartha Guatama right as I started reading Siddartha by Herman Hesse. Coincidence, or ALIENS??

[@firstal3799]

It's the coincidence fairy of course

[@ronmann802]

Hello Wes. I'm a tremendous fan of your lectures. Can't even tell you how much I enjoy them. Thank for doing what you do. On a separate note, did you even consider putting something out about Robert Pirsig? What you think of him?

[@scottybee33]

Def one of my favs!!!

[@MrRplusS]

Correction: you spelled his name wrongly it should be 'Gautama'. It is rooted in sanskrit and means eliminator of darkness. P.S I really enjoy your lectures!

[@robertsanchez6651]

Nicely done!

[@tonyeclau]

As a practising buddhist, I may say that this lecture is a fine introduction. The Buddha's teaching goes much much deeper though. It can only be realised with guidance of a great master. It is to be practised.

[@yasha12isreal]

Can you do Life and Philosophy of Albert Camus? Please?...

[@No_Direct_Translation]

As much as I agree, I think we missed the boat on Camus - the popularized individual thinker series has passed.

[@yasha12isreal]

Timothy Meyer I've actually asked this when the series was still... let's say... 'alive' but I never give up on it. I mean how can he do Sartre & not his friend/foe?

[@topekastatehospital8604]

Yay!

[@ou-rb2gv]

It's a great dharma lecture. I like the fact that you infused it with humour....Its hard to define who the "Buddha" was. Was it Sakyamuni? Was it Nargajuna? Was it the ten disciples? Lao Tzu? CaoShan ? BodhiDharma? Dogen? Hakuin? I'm not even sure that the 8 Fold Path was exactly what "The Buddha" taught. It may be...May be "The Buddha" taught the 12 Nidanas? ....But the lecture is all very much in the proper spirit in my opinion. Nice lecture!

[@tonyjames8805]

Even more so, the historicity of Buddha as a real figure is doubtful.

[@donpitts8425]

Wesley, when was the last time you visited China? I saw many Buddhist temples in China.

[@firstal3799]

It's Siddharth. It's Gautam. It's Mahabharat, it's Ramayan, Indians themselves add an extra a at end of every Hindi or Sanskrit word when they write in English alphabets. Because they are trying to correct the sound in English because Hindi sounds have more emphasis and are less sharp than English sounds. But a at end just creates more distractions, so much so many Indians themselves incorrectly pronounce it these days.

[@thearchive8687]

It's almost like they're trying to say that there's no beginning and no end or rather that it's like Worm Ouroboros.

[@maryb6074]

It is told that Guatama was an Persian magi who fled Persia and went to India.

[@stevewhatnall]

Anyone that wants to find more to pique your curiosity, search for Ajahn Chah and the English readings of his teachings . . .

[@artlessons1]

i have listened to many if not most of Dr. Cecils lectures . One firstly is gathered in by his balance of reference to wisdom and humour .Mix of old with new approach . Than one figures out his skit where he uses the philosophers or religions as a existential platform he than through humour (to win over the listener) turns on them via his bios atheist means . He than loses my applause as he becomes more boring and predictable than a church sermon to a child . Psychologically much like him listening to his father yelling at the TV he laughs loudly at anything semantic rather than understanding it through the meanings of the relative usage . One feels like yelling out "Shut the F ...up than slams down the laptop cover before giving him a second chance , though at a high cost of one losing interest in his closing , In fairness to him .i feel he is trying to personify Aristophanes through humour . Dr Cecil is like a standup comedian playing the philosopher on stage at the Comedy Cellar in Greenwich Village .One listens to the serious things only to get to the humour .H e uses humour to disguise his bullets much like Nietzsche use of aphorisms .Just as deadly as slipping a pill into your drink as you laugh than grab on to the academic pole to cam yourself with his usual back to the calm tone used when referring to the authors work . Not my style as it drowns out the audience leaving one unconscious raped in horror while thinking your being existentially enlightened . On the doctrine of the ice cream , If one wants the ice cream though knowing he has to lose weight a healthy ego ( In Jung usage , probably influenced by the Buddha ) would say no , cant have it ! while the demons (metaphor )says "yes go ahead and eat it like you always did before ,Whats stopping you stupid?". The healthy ego keeps one balanced in their container . The yes man representing the demon in the unconscious would be as a inflated ego as was Nietzsche . Simple explanation for complicated reads (Jung ,Nietzsche ). I admire his love for wisdom though his presentation of Sophia is as mentioned best suited for a comedy club rather than a philosophers podium .

[@tigerlilysoma588]

As someone who reads and thinks a lot, this was one weird comment...

[@MG-ge5xq]

What would Buddha have said to the concept of a threatening hell?

[@jessewallace12able]

Go look into Bart Ehrman about hell in the bible. It’s not something Jesus taught. It’s something con artists teach.

[@RobertLisboa]

@@jessewallace12able The planet are full of these.

[@christopherhamilton3621]

He’d have laughed and laughed and said what an unnecessary & foolish way of controlling & motivating people. He might even weep at the suggestion but I see him as scoffing at the silliness.

[@jacoblogan]

​​​@@christopherhamilton3621the buddha taught about hell himself. Why would you speak completely from your rear end without understanding anything about your claim?

[@neocount6397]

As a diabetic, I can verify it's ice cream that's hard.

[@marcustulliuscicero9512]

19:40 I'll be back

[@Whydontyougousetherestroom]

WOOOOOOOOOOÒOØÕOOOOOOOOOOOÔ this 1 gone b correct. gone save it 4 a good time y@ll !

[@burnsloads]

I wish you had a more direct mic. Don't care to hear the crowd.

[@elementsofdoubt2844]

i like the reality of you lectures. if you remove the reality of your digital documention of a typical college lecture for freshman, you will allow your audience's minds to enter into the state of suspension of dis belief. At that point they may as well tune in to disney.

[@elementsofdoubt2844]

I refuse to enter into a state of suspension of dis belief. Let the rest of the world do what they want, but you present your lectures as yourself. Thank you for providing me, a stubborn woman who refuses to watch media that is supposed to, created to influence my buying habits. There is not much media available to me because I have lost the ability to suspend dis belief by getting a BS in broadcasting. I believe you believe what you are saying. I do not believe you are trying to manipulate me. turn up the audience reactions and Burnsloads, reality is there, turn off the tube!

[@mmccrownus2406]

Error to say 10 Commandments have naught to do with GBs truths. The 10 are directives that turn one away from various ways that lead to suffering, cravings, coveting things, the bondage of the attachments of desire. They are phrased in a more direct way, suitable to a different people. "Thou shall have no gods before Me", can be seen as a directive to pursue Mindfullsess. .

[@koroglurustem1722]

Because the speaker is a disbeliever and he is doing a performance rather than seeking the truth. Given his CRT background he's touting his worldview through whatever he's teaching.

[@stevewhatnall]

Buddhism is simplicity made complicated by religious practitioners. I've seen it simplified to; try to do more good things, try to do less bad things, calm your mind . . .. .

[@KotBlini]

Doesn't mention karma, basically ignores big chunks of the teachings and religion.

[@bilqisb8875]

Kinda at 36:50

[@christopherhamilton3621]

Karma predates the Buddha…

[@KotBlini]

@@christopherhamilton3621 Sure but this is a talk about buddhism.

[@nikhilnayak5795]

Please get a better mic, if you can. Love your stuff otherwise.

[@davereid-daly2205]

This lecture is a clear demonstration of why philosophical study of a system without first hand practical experience results in gross ignorance which leads to speculation. Philosophy is the study of wisdom and not human nature as the orator claims. And wisdom is the practical application of principle which is non speculative. To understand meditation it has to be practiced until its key principle is exposed then mastered. Not discussed. Applied. Yes I would agree, most of Western Buddhism is speculative. But in the East it is applied discovery. The lecturer seems highly ignorant of this fact. He seems ignorant of the difference between the letter of the law and its spirit, of the difference between the literal manifestation of the process and the process itself. Its like reading a book on how to drive a car and then never experiencing how to drive through the process of discovering how a car's controls work and then mastering their operation so that he can safely and efficiently move through life.

[@klowther247]

Dave Reid - Daly Yes Dave, ok, thanks for that not so interesting feedback!

[@davereid-daly2205]

@@klowther247 Karl or is it Karlie, you are most welcome....

[@chowhan13]

I hear only woman laughs. Always

[@christopherhamilton3621]

Nonsense! I hear many men’s laughs.

[@julianj1938]

This lecture was plain arrogant lmao

[@bilqisb8875]

Could you elaborate?

[@christopherhamilton3621]

LOL!