This is a series of 7 talks by Robert M. Ellis, based on his book, The Buddha’s Middle Way (Equinox. 2019). Robert will be putting forward an interpretation of the Buddha as a potential inspiration for Middle Way practice, led by practical needs rather than by traditional or historical claims in Buddhism. Drawing extensively on the Pali Canon account but not appealing to its authority, he will discuss the Buddha’s life, the interpretation of some of his key teachings, and his role as an archetype. He will argue that the Buddha is not the only source of understanding of the Middle Way, but can readily act as an inspiration for understanding it, and that the most important achievement of the Buddha was not Enlightenment but the recognition of the Middle Way.
The talk series will be delivered by Youtube live-stream on successive Sunday evenings at 7pm-8pm UK time, from 2nd May to 13th June 2021. Robert will take questions at the end. If you watch the live stream, you will be able to ask questions through the chat, and following the livestream time it will be available as a recording. To watch the livestream, please click the linked title below on or after the relevant time.
- The Buddha’s Early Life: 2nd May 2021, 7-8pm UK time
- The Middle Way versus Enlightenment: 9th May 2021, 7-8pm UK time
- The Buddha’s Ministry: 16th May 2021, 7-8pm UK time
- Problems with the Buddhist Interpretation of the Middle Way: 23rd May 2021, 7-8pm UK time
- The Eightfold Path and Middle Way Practice: 30th May 2021, 7-8pm UK time
- Craving, Karma and Conditionality: 6th June 2021, 7-8pm UK time
- The Buddha as an Archetype: 13th June 2021, 7-8pm UK time
