Buddhist Books Podcast  
Buddhist Books Podcast is an approachable, sometimes humorous, series available on YouTube or any podcasting platform. It is a series of videos in which I read the English translations of Buddhist scriptures aloud in English. In most episodes, I read “Tipitaka,” the original "Three Baskets" of pre-sectarian early Buddhism. Every ten episodes, I read from "The Life and Liberation of Padmasambhava," which is a translation of “Padma Thang-yig,” the story of Padmasambhava said to have been recorded by Yeshe Tsogyal in the 8th century C.E.. There are also a few Special Episodes in which, for example, I watch and react to the film "Xuan Zang," which is the story of the 6th century C.E. monk who brought 600+ Mahayana scriptures from Nalanda University in Bihar India to China to be translated, as well as the teachings of Zen Master Dogen's Shobogenzo and Fukanzazengi. The Tipitaka recitals will take several years to complete. Afterward, I'll read the early Mahayana scriptures, the Tipitaka commentaries of the 5th and 6th century C.E. Theravadin scholar-monks, the later Mahayana scriptures, and so on, moving century by century through this vast tradition.
Please note that I am not, nor do I claim to be, a teacher of Buddhism. Rather, I am a student of Buddhism who is inspired to share with you my own exploration of the scriptures. This project is not affiliated with any organization, lineage, nor group. It is entirely shot, edited, produced, and funded by me (Edward Reib) as a passion project for the purpose of making these source texts of Buddhism, the original scriptures, more widely and freely available to anyone who wants to learn them.
Zen Buddhism - Part 10 [00:46:06] July 15th, 2025 This is part 10 of the “Zen Buddhism” series on Buddhist Books Podcast. In this episode, we’ll be reading Eihei Dōgen’s “Shobogenzo” the chapter entitled “Senjo” meaning "Washing" which he wrote in 1239. • 
Buddhist Books: TIPIṬAKA 182 Mahāvagga VIII - Part 2 [00:38:38] July 5th, 2025 This is Part 182 of my recital of the "Tipiṭaka," the "Three Baskets" of pre-sectarian Buddhism, as translated into English from the original Pali Language. In this episode, we'll continue reading "Mahāvagga VIII," from the "Vinaya Piṭaka," the first of the three "Piṭaka," or "Baskets." "Mahāvagga" literally means "Great Division." • 
Buddhist Books: TIPIṬAKA 181 Mahāvagga VIII - Part 1 [00:33:24] July 1st, 2025 This is Part 181 of my recital of the "Tipiṭaka," the "Three Baskets" of pre-sectarian Buddhism, as translated into English from the original Pali Language. In this episode, we'll begin reading "Mahāvagga VIII," from the "Vinaya Piṭaka," the first of the three "Piṭaka," or "Baskets." "Mahāvagga" literally means "Great Division." • 
Shingon Buddhism • Part 7 [00:57:17] June 25th, 2024 This is Part 7 of my recital of the "The Matrix and Diamond World Mandalas in Shingon Buddhism" by Adrian Snodgrass. Shingon Buddhism is, put simply, the Japanese version of Vajrayana Buddhism. Kobo Daishi traveled to China and received the teachings and scriptures of Vajrayana Buddhism, then returned to Japan and founded the Shingon school at the top of Mount Koyasan in 815 CE, where it still flourishes today. 
Buddhist Books: TIPIṬAKA 180 Mahāvagga VII - Part 3 [00:48:47] June 20th, 2025 This is Part 180 of my recital of the "Tipiṭaka," the "Three Baskets" of pre-sectarian Buddhism, as translated into English from the original Pali Language. In this episode, we'll finish reading "Mahāvagga VII," from the "Vinaya Piṭaka," the first of the three "Piṭaka," or "Baskets." "Mahāvagga" literally means "Great Division." • 
Buddhist Books: TIPIṬAKA 179 Mahāvagga VII - Part 2 [00:42:20] June 16th, 2025 This is Part 179 of my recital of the "Tipiṭaka," the "Three Baskets" of pre-sectarian Buddhism, as translated into English from the original Pali Language. In this episode, we'll continue reading "Mahāvagga VII," from the "Vinaya Piṭaka," the first of the three "Piṭaka," or "Baskets." "Mahāvagga" literally means "Great Division." • 
Zen Buddhism - Part 9 [00:34:16] June 8th, 2025 This is part 9 of the “Zen Buddhism” series on Buddhist Books Podcast. In this episode, we’ll begin reading "The Platform Sutra" of the Sixth Patriarch of Zen (Chan) Buddhism, thought to have been composed around 780 CE. • 
Buddhist Books: TIPIṬAKA 178 Mahāvagga VII - Part 1 [00:29:49] June 1st, 2025 This is Part 178 of my recital of the "Tipiṭaka," the "Three Baskets" of pre-sectarian Buddhism, as translated into English from the original Pali Language. In this episode, we'll begin reading "Mahāvagga VII," from the "Vinaya Piṭaka," the first of the three "Piṭaka," or "Baskets." "Mahāvagga" literally means "Great Division." • 
Buddhist Books: Padmasambhava - Part 18 [00:36:27] May 11th, 2025 This is Part 18 of my recital of the "The Life & Liberation of Padmasambhava," a translation of "Padma Thang-yig," by Yeshe Tsogyal. In this episode, we'll read Cantos 35 & 36. •
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* Edward is not a formally ordained Ngakpa, but wears the shawl, with great respect, during these recitations of published Buddhist Scriptures. |
