Secular Buddhism

Skillful Means (10-Year Anniversary Episode)

12 snips
Dec 18, 2025
Celebrate a decade of modern Buddhist teachings! Discover how skillful means, or upaya, adapt ancient wisdom for today's world. Explore the history of technology's role in transmitting these teachings, from writing to AI. Meet Noah AI, a new tool designed to make insights accessible and interactive. Marvel at how technology can enhance understanding while reminding us that the core teachings remain unchanged. Jump into a world where tradition meets innovation and find new ways to cultivate wisdom!
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INSIGHT

Teaching Should Fit The Person

  • Skillful means (upaya) is adapting teachings to meet people where they are rather than enforcing one method for all.
  • The goal is reducing suffering and cultivating wisdom and compassion, not preserving a single form of transmission.
ANECDOTE

From Oral To Written Transmission

  • Early Buddhist teachings were oral and limited by human memory and voice reach for about 200 years.
  • Writing preserved the teachings across oceans and generations despite concerns about loss of teacher presence.
INSIGHT

Tradeoffs With Every New Medium

  • Each new communication technology sacrifices something and gains something essential for spreading the teachings.
  • The internet and audio/video expanded reach while raising valid concerns about loss and misuse.
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