In this podcast Professor Thurman talks about the history and meaning of the Pureland Sutra and the Lotus Sutra. Sutras are canonical scriptures, regarded as records of the oral teachings of Gautama Buddha. The Pureland Sutra is the main sutra of one of the most widely practiced traditions of Buddhism in East Asia, the Pureland tradition. The Lotus Sutra is one of the most popular and influential Mahayana sutras of all time, and the basis for several schools of Buddhism.

This episode was recorded on October 15, 2015 in a Columbia class taught by Professor Thurman.

The Pureland and Lotus Sutras - Ep 52 of the Bob Thurman Amitabha/Amitayus Buddha - Pureland (Sukhavati) Image via www.himalayanart.org.

This week’s episode’s of the Bob Thurman Podcast was brought to you in part through the support of the Tibet House US Membership Community and Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, New York.

Listen to more archive recordings from from past Robert A.F. Thurman teachings + public events please consider becoming a Tibet House US member. To learn about the benefits of Tibet House US Membership please visit: www.tibethouse.us.

The song ‘Dancing Ling’ by Tenzin Choegyal from the album ‘Heart Sutra‘ (2004) by Ethno Super Lounge is used on the Bob Thurman Podcast with artist’s permission, all rights reserved.