Robert E. Buswell, Jr.

Robert E. Buswell, Jr. holds the Irving and Jean Stone Endowed Chair in Humanities at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he is also Distinguished Professor of Buddhist Studies and founding director of the Center for Buddhist Studies

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Four Ennobling Truths

The four noble truths are not true for everyone.

By Robert E. Buswell, Jr., Donald S. Lopez Jr.

Aug 21, 2018

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The Biggest Misconception about Buddhism

Contrary to popular belief, most Buddhists throughout history have not meditated.

By Robert E. Buswell, Jr., Donald S. Lopez Jr.

Nov 02, 2017

Magazine Buddhism for Beginners

10 Misconceptions about Buddhism

Two Buddhist scholars expand on popular misconceptions about Buddhism.

By Robert E. Buswell, Jr. and Donald S. Lopez Jr.

Summer 2014

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Only the Occasional Brothel

The “unconstrained conduct” of Zen is more literary trope than pervasive practice.

By Robert E. Buswell, Jr., Donald S. Lopez Jr.

Oct 05, 2017

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Was Buddha God or Human?

While Buddhism has a place for gods, the Buddha wasn’t exactly one of them.

Robert E. Buswell, Jr. and Donald S. Lopez Jr.

Sep 13, 2017

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One Way to Nirvana

It’s not just the Buddha Way that’s different—the Buddhist mountaintop is different, too.

By Donald S. Lopez Jr., Robert E. Buswell, Jr.

Jul 03, 2014

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Slow-Motion Satori

The Zen tradition’s “sudden enlightenment” may not be so sudden after all.

By Robert E. Buswell, Jr., Donald S. Lopez Jr.

Jun 26, 2014

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Buddhism: Philosophy or Religion?

In Asian religious traditions, religion—with its myths, magic, and miracles—goes hand in hand with philosophy.

By Robert E. Buswell, Jr., Donald S. Lopez Jr.

May 29, 2014

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Killing in the Name Of …

Like other world religions, Buddhism has its own justifications for violence.

By Robert E. Buswell, Jr., Donald S. Lopez Jr.

May 22, 2014

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The Three Beautiful Roots: Cultivating the Three Wholesome Qualities in Unwholesome Times

How can we find the courage to have alobha, to give freely without attachment; adosa, to let go of aversion and punitive actions and live with integrity; and amoha, to gain insight into the nature of things without delusion? In this dharma talk, we will learn to practice the three beautiful branches of dana (giving), sila (moral integrity), and bhavana (cultivation, meditation), and to live as heart-centrically as we can.

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