Buddhism II: The Buddhist Illusion and its Seduction of the West [The Ezra Institute Podcast for Cultural Reformation]
FLF, LLC
FLF, LLC
4.6 • 949 Ratings
🗓️ 2 April 2025
⏱️ 97 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In this episode of the Podcast for Cultural Reformation, Dr. Joe Boot and Dr. Michael Thiessen delve into Buddhism's surprising influence on Western thought. They discuss the core teachings of Buddhism, its impact on Western minds through figures like Sam Harris and the Dalai Lama, and why Buddhism's philosophy offers little more than a self-salvation death cult. The conversation contrasts Buddhist detachment with Christian transformation and looks at how Christians can respond to and understand these cross-cultural influences. The episode also explores the global sociopolitical implications of popular Buddhist teachings and highlights the superiority of a Christian worldview rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ.
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 ReformCon '25
00:46 Cold Open: Buddhism's Influence on Western Culture
02:12 Podcast Intro 02:36 Introduction and Overview
03:08 Exploring Buddhism's Practical Expressions in the West
03:56 Sam Harris: Atheism Meets Buddhism
06:44 The Illusion of Self and Personal Identity
09:04 The Contradictions of Sam Harris's Views
21:29 Mindfulness and Detachment: A Critical Look
41:29 The Reality of Pain and Suffering
53:19 Exploring Pleasure from Pain
54:00 Contradictions in Moral Landscape
54:20 Acknowledging Pain and Suffering
54:45 Counterfeit Relief and Thought Detachment
55:46 Christian Perspective on Anxiety and Prayer
57:04 Escapism vs. Embracing Humanity
57:30 Sam Harris's Teachings on Self-Illusion is Delusion
59:14 Christian Response to Buddhist Self-Illusion
01:09:41 Critique of Buddhist Ethics and Karma
01:11:00 Dalai Lama's Influence and Secular Ethics
01:33:56 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Events
01:36:20 Podcast Outro
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | We need to talk. It's been a rough ride from a culture bent on burning itself down to attacks from within |
| 0:09.4 | But by the grace of God we've been given a moment a chance to make lasting changes |
| 0:14.6 | We can rebuild what's been torn down |
| 0:16.8 | But we have to build with what will last, the gospel of the kingdom. This April, |
| 0:22.8 | let's sit down. Let's talk about what matters. And together, we'll build something that lasts. |
| 0:31.7 | ReformConn, 2025. Tickets are limited. Lord willing, we'll see you in Tucson. |
| 1:02.8 | Thank you. Tickets are limited. Lord willing, we'll see you in Tucson. From Mindfulness, Acknowledge, From mindfulness apps to yoga classes, from Hollywood celebrities to Silicon Valley boardrooms, |
| 1:08.6 | Buddhism has quietly woven itself into the fabric of Western culture. |
| 1:13.6 | Today, Buddhist ideas like mindfulness, detachment, and the illusion of self aren't just confined to the temples of Tibet or the monasteries in Japan. They're in our schools. |
| 1:20.9 | They're in our counseling and therapy sessions. And even in our daily vocabulary and routines. |
| 1:29.0 | What happens when an ancient religion rooted in reincarnation, karma, and enlightenment, gets |
| 1:35.5 | repacked for the modern secular West? |
| 1:38.4 | Today on the podcast for Cultural Reformation, we're diving deep into Buddhism's surprising |
| 1:43.8 | influence on Western thought. |
| 1:45.9 | We'll explore how figures like the Dalai Lama and various pop culture figures have helped |
| 1:50.7 | popularize Buddhist teachings. But has this influence come at a cost? Have these ideas subtly |
| 1:56.9 | reshape the Western notions of morality, self, and truth? |
| 2:02.6 | And how should Christians respond? |
| 2:08.8 | Stay with us as we unpack the far-reaching effects of Buddhism on the modern secular culture, |
| 2:11.3 | right here on the podcast for Cultural Reformation. |
| 2:12.4 | Stay tuned. Thank you. Hey everyone. |
| 2:36.8 | Welcome back to the podcast. |
... |
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