Diggin' the Dharma "Did the Buddha Really Say That?" with Guest Bodhipaksa
Oct 29, 2023
In this episode, Doug and Jon have a lively discussion with Bodhipaksa, a writer and Buddhist meditation teacher, on the topic of Fake Buddha Quotes. They explore the evolution of his websites, Wild Mind and Fake Buddha Quotes, and discuss the importance of getting the Buddha's teachings right. They also address misconceptions about the Buddha's personality and highlight the challenges of translating Buddhist scriptures. A fun segment on the vital role of coffee in supporting the show is also included.
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Origins Of WildMind And Fake Buddha Quotes
- Bodhipaksa described starting WildMind in 2000 and earlier blogging about fake Buddha quotes on Twitter.
- He created fakebuddhaquotes.com after a friend suggested collecting and debunking misattributed quotes.
Literary Style Reveals Many Fakes
- Fake Buddha quotes often read too literary and poetic to be from early Buddhist scriptures.
- Bodhipaksa started pairing debunks with authentic scripture passages to show contrast and context.
Bad Translations Create Misinformation
- Some popular translations (like obscure poetic renderings) introduce large distortions from the Pali.
- Such translations can spawn widely shared misinterpretations and fake quotes.