
The Wisdom Podcast Professor John Dunne: Buddhist Philosophy and the Nalanda Tradition (#223)
Dec 27, 2025
Professor John Dunne, a leading expert in Buddhist philosophy and contemplative practice, dives into the fascinating historical significance of the Nalanda tradition. He explores the importance of education in cultivating wisdom, highlighting the roles of hearing, reflection, and meditative realization. Dunne also discusses yogic perception, the intersection of AI with Buddhist ideas, and intriguing comparisons between meditation and 5-MeO-DMT experiences. His insights connect consciousness, perception, and the pursuit of non-duality in modern contexts.
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Nalanda As A Cosmopolitan University
- Nalanda functioned as a large, rigorous university with thousands of students, exams, and diverse faculties, not just a monastery.
- Its library and intellectual reach across South and Southeast Asia made it a crown jewel for centuries.
Matripa's Entrance Debate
- Matripa's biography recounts him arriving at Nalanda, debating Naropa, and initially losing his entrance debate yet still joining the university.
- The story illustrates fierce debate culture and intellectual entry tests at Nalanda.
Six Philosophers Defined The Tradition
- The Nalanda tradition centered on six foundational philosophers who shaped distinct strands: Madhyamaka, Yogacara, and analytic epistemology.
- These strands combined phenomenology with anti-metaphysical critique to drive deep debates about mind and reality.

