Stephen Batchelor on Buddhism – Camden Philosophical Society

The Camden Philosophical Society will take a detour from our recent discussions about The Will and Freedom to consider the path of Buddhist teachings as written by Stephen Batchelor. He is a prominent author known for his secular approach to Buddhism. With over a dozen published books, including widely recognized titles such as Buddhism Without Beliefs (1997), Confession of a Buddhist Atheist (2010), and The Art of Solitude (2020).

The Jan. 20 session will, as usual, be a hybrid gathering from 3:30-5:30 pm Eastern Time on the third Tuesday of the month. All are welcome to participate, in-person at the Picker Room of the Camden Public Library or by Zoom. That goes for visitors, as well as year-rounders in Maine, and friends of the Society wherever you may be.

If you wish to join via Zoom, please email sewright772@gmail.com. You will receive a Zoom invitation on the day of the meeting. Click on the “Join Zoom Meeting” link in that invitation at the time of the event

Batchelor’s appeal lies with his ability to present Buddhist teachings in a highly approachable and applicable manner to our modern life. In fact, Batchelor’s newest book, Buddha, Socrates and Us, illuminates the significant ways in which questions and uncertainty and doubt, as Socrates presented as a means to living an “examined life”, are central to both Western and Eastern frameworks. 

Batchelor shows how the Western imbued metaphysical interpretation of Buddhism is too narrowly understood to be considered “useful” in our 21st century culture but that when its teachings are understood as guidance in developing our reactions and interactions on a day to day experience, then we begin to find possibilities in the application of these teachings. While giving us insight into the Buddha  (aka Siddhartha Guatama/Gotama) prior to enlightenment and the teachings of Socrates, Batchelor
brings “the two together, in a way, to recognize the humanity that constitutes their being.” 

The primary reading will be a transcript from an interview with Stephen Batchelor from the Tricycle Talks podcast episode #132, “Ethical Living in Uncertain Times”, which can be read here.

The remaining two are supplemental but you may find helpful as additional material explaining more of Batchelor’s thinking. A podcast & transcript from The Ezra Klein Show can be found here. a sample of Batchelor’s newest book, “Buddha, Socrates and Us”  (Page 1-20) can be found here.