Two Truths with Guy Newland (2010)

Dr. Guy Newland teaches how different Tibetan Buddhist schools of philosophy explain conventional and ultimate truths in order to understand the nature of reality.

Root Text

The Two Truths by Dr. Guy Newland is available from Penguin Random House here.

Introduction to the two truths

An introduction to the concept of the two truths and its role in Buddhist teachings and practice.

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The two truths and karma

The relationship of the two truths and two different ways of understanding karma.

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The two truths and Tibetan philosophy

Tsongkhapa's presentation of the two truths changed Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, emphasizing the need to strive for virtue.

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Guy Newland talking to Venerable Chodron outside the Abbey meditation hall.

The two truths: Conventional existence

Detailed discussions of how all things exist conventionally, and why it's important to think about emptiness and not just meditate non-conceptually.

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The two truths and different tenets

The Vaibhashika (one of the four tenet schools) view of the two truths.

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The two truths and dependent arising

Buddha nature in the sutras, the compatibility of dependent arising and emptiness, and the Sautrantika view of the two truths.

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The two truths: The Sautrantika view

An in-depth look at the Sautrantika system (one of the four tenets).

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Guy Newland teaching.

The two truths in the four schools

The similarities and differences within the four lineages of Tibetan Buddhism and how they came to be.

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Guy Newland teaching.

The two truths in the Cittamatra system

Exploring the view that there's no external world, as taught in the Cittamatra system (one of the four tenets).

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The two truths: The Svatantrika view

A theatrical portrayal of Bhavaviveka elucidates the views of the Svatantrika Madhyamaka, or Middle Way Autonomy, system.

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The two truths: Conclusion

The debate between Tsongkhapa and Bhavaviveka and Tsongkhapa's interpretation of Chandrakirti.

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