The Illusory Self: Identity in Christianity and Buddhism

Seminar and Dialogue at Blackfriars Hall, University of Oxford, 64 St Giles, Oxford

Saturday 21 November, 14:00 – 16:00

What are the bonds at the root of human suffering? The traditions of Christianity and Buddhism offer explanations of the nature of that bondage and the shape of freedom from it. In this exchange, we discuss this question from the vantage point of two particular traditions: the Dominican and the Indo-Tibetan. The Dominican tradition sheds light on the Christian concepts of sin, separation from God, and union with God through Christ. The Indo-Tibetan tradition sheds light on the nature of saṃsāra, the afflictive passions of greed, hatred, and delusion that bind beings to it, and the insight cultivated through the path of mind training, which frees one from this bondage. The goal of the exchange will be to explore connections between topics such as confession and mindfulness, divine forgiveness and dependent origination. We will also aim to sharpen each other's account of freedom, identifying common ground without losing what makes each distinct.

In-person registration: pia.jolliffe@bfriars.ox.ac.uk

Online registration: https://sciwizlive.com/event/beyond-afflictions/