Commentary on the Diamond Sutra in a world of AI.

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These podcasts are discussions on the #DiamondSutra and its relevance in a world that will be dominated by Artificial Intelligence. The Diamond Sutra offers lessons on Illusion and Perception. Can it still be relevant, when the computer becomes so dominant that our jobs and functions are taken over by computers or bio-engineered robots and subsequently humankind becomes superficial?This could be the pivotal question of our times. What if thinking machines outthink us? What if robots do our work? Have you asked yourself, where is your real essence, your true identity in this networked environment and the TechnoUtop[a that we seem to want?If you are one of those that appreciate thought grenades that disrupts collective or group mindset I would appreciate if you can go to The Art of Dying page and support this effort. Or at the least, please share this.

David James

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    • Sep 15, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 19m AVG DURATION
    • 10 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Commentary on the Diamond Sutra in a world of AI.

    Ep 10, Part 2: Like LaMDA, Words Mean Nothing, because Words Turn Back. (Sections 9,10)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2022 34:25


    “Like #LaMDA,  Words Mean Nothing, because Words Turn Back”This is Part 2 and is a continuation of the preceding episode.  The issues in this episode are treated separately because the verses take a hard turn towards an impossible rubric that humans struggle to attain.  That is the deficiency of language that tries to define the ineffable.  This deficiency has gone unnoticed and has fractured our conceptual understanding of consciousness over millennia. It is the same ignorance of the limits of language has led many to give AI's language constructs far more credence that it deserves. The listener who listens to this in its entirety with the preceding episode, will certainly be well served. [Music Courtesy -No commercial use intended Hans Zimmer - Chevaliers de Sangreal The DaVinci CodeBack Ground – Max Richter, Musical Score Ad Astra]Support the show

    Ep 9, Part I, "The Un-Being of You" Sections 9,10

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2022 28:02


    Episode 9 , is part 1 of a two-part episode .  This episode introduces the Evolutionary and Biological roots of our Consciousness.  The scientific evidence discussed here show we have a visceral and tacit knowing that our consciousness is first and foremost localized in our body.  This profound implication makes it imperative to re-center our understanding of our encounter with Consciousness through the corporeal and our biological evolutionary reflexes, first.  By using our cognitive machinery with total awareness in our encounters with phenomena can we extract meaning and purpose in our lives.  Perhaps you can to.   Support the show

    Ep 8: Where are the 10,000 Buddhas? (Section 8)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2022 24:40


    It is rare for commentaries on early Mahayana texts to refer to the spread of Buddhism by proselytization. Section 8 stands out for its advocacy that reciting at least 4 lines of the Diamond Sutra would guarantee a short cut to Heaven, as well as it's effect it had on rapid adoption of Buddhism across Asia.But are we missing a deeper ontological question here that goes beyond the intent of proselytization? Support the show

    Ep, 7 : Drinking the Bath Water of the New Intelligentsia- Section 6 and 7

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2022 23:17


    The great mind hack they have done is to convince us that it is for our own good to drink their bath water. “…..this dark underbelly, which is underway has caused many thought leaders to question the ethical basis of where this version of Transhumanism is taking us.A philosophical question that I ask myself is:  what would be the nature of our consciousness if and when we achieve senescence or conquer death? What is the type of world we create, what is the quality of life in that world?Who will be setting the rules when Transhumanism is thrust on humanity?The most vital and central question this Sutra evokes is whether we have made ourselves comfortably numb and dependent on dogma, conjecture and other's opinion. Perhaps we should blame ourselves for our own disembowelment of our own authority? This infatuation with gurus or exotic teachers, ancient texts and lineages that give comfort because  echo our beliefs, betrays our inability or fear of standing on our own.That cliched Matrix that you speak about , is composed of theocrats, technocrats that deploy Artificial Intelligence and is the new Intelligentsia….”  Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/theartofdying)

    Ep 5, Stairway to Heaven, The Buddha's Version - Part 1 (Sections 5,6)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2022 17:11


    These following two sutras, 4 and 5, bring out the emphasis on attaining Perfection, or Buddha nature by their focus on the practice of ethics and the goals of ephemeral metaphysical concepts that are elusive and disassociates the practitioner from the immediate.Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/theartofdying)

    Ep 6, Stairway to Heaven, The Metaverse Fantasy - Part 2 (Sections 5,6)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2022 13:04


    Continuing from Part 1 , here I discuss how we are treating AI as a techno nirvana , no different from any nebulous metaphysical goals that limit our creativity in the corporate world as well.Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/theartofdying)

    Ep 2 , History and Context

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2021 13:11


    History and ContextAt the outset, I do believe, It's imperative to discuss the antecedents of the Buddha,, and why his teachings became so popular at that time.Many assume the Buddha just came up with his views, in the Northern plains of India and bestowed it to the rest of Asia!! Be that as it may, no spiritual or a political leader evolves out of a vacuum.  So, it is perplexing, that most Buddhists rarely discuss the context of the Diamond SutraLike the underrated Surangam Sutra which says. It is said, Dharma does not arise alone. Relying on conditions it is born. The Way is not practiced in vain.Meeting conditions, there is a response.This clearly states that our religious and spiritual experience arise from our interpretations of our environment and what we witness. I maintain, the mind that you think you have, doesn't exist, it is only a derivative of the Mind-At-Large. This is a  critical  point to ponder on, if we are to spot the disconnect between our Self and Impermanence that the Diamond Sutra establishes in subsequent Sutras.You can skip this episode if you wish and jump to the next. But if you stick around and examine a brief historical context, you may appreciate the Sutras finer points with a fresh perspective. Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/theartofdying)

    Ep 3, The 4 Most Important Words-

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2021 6:42


    SECTION I. THE CONVOCATION OF THE ASSEMBLY Thus, have I heard.These first 4 words of the Diamond Sutra merits spending some time on. It is vital that anybody from any tradition or culture, understand the implication of these four words, before proceeding on their spiritual quest .These four words prefaced by every commentary since time immemorial directs the speaker how to comport themselves, but also bears strict instructions to the listener.Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/theartofdying)

    Ep 4, Meet Your Artificial Self

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2021 14:59


    SECTION II and SECTION III. SUBHUTI MAKES A REQUEST and THE BUDDHAS CONTRADICTORY RESPONSE THE TEACHING OF THE GREAT WAY We arrive at the heart of the problem this section of Sutra poses.We have now even accepted that AI will do the work for us not only because we actually believe that the AI is smarter than us, but that our individuality, our essence, our self, has no evolutionary role to play in this emerging Technosphere.And that is, over millennia such uncontested and blind veneration of Sutras sublimate our Sovereignty of Human Conscious by a false equivalence to other lesser ones. This focus on ethics at the expense of developing our perception of our inner phenomena to reach higher consciousness defaces ourselves. We cannot continue to solve problems of today by resorting  to the paradigms or scriptures of the past. The universe has changed since you heard this. So, is it fair to ask, was the Buddha wrong?  Do write in, and let me know your thoughts.  It gets worse, hang in there.Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/theartofdying)

    Ep 1, Introduction to the Commentary on the Diamond Sutra in a world of Artificial Intelligence.

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2021 15:00


    The pivotal question of our times is what if thinking machines out think us?The #DiamondSutra offers offer's lessons on Illusion and Perception, but would it still be relevant in a world that has outpaced mankind? The advancement in Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, and robotics are making traditional thinking and work redundant.What might happen when the computer becomes so dominant that our jobs and functions are taken over by computers or bio-engineered robots and subsequently humankind becomes superficial. Can we humankind rely on age-old edicts that posit that the Universal Laws are immutable and we should merely practice "mindfulness" and watch as our world changes right in front of our eyes? The real challenge humanity faces is: How to handle Future ShockSupport the show (https://ko-fi.com/theartofdying)

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