Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Is "Early Buddhism" a claim that earlier texts are "truer" or more "authentic" than later Buddhist traditions? In this companion to my earlier video on authentic Buddhism, I take up what "early Buddhism" means as a scholarly category, and why historical priority isn't the same as normative priority.
🧡 If you find this material useful, check out my Patreon page and get fun benefits like exclusive videos, audio-only versions, and extensive show notes: patreon.com/dougsseculardharma
🧡 You can also make donations through: paypal.me/dougsdharma
📙 Check out my book, A Handbook of Early Buddhist Wisdom, with a Foreword by Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi: books2read.com/buddhisthandbook
📖 Index of all my videos: dougs-dharma.github.io/dougs-dharma-index
✅ Videos mentioned:
What is Authentic Buddhism? -- youtu.be/kS-Xtsq4_xE
What is Protestant Buddhism? -- youtu.be/-sWv88hQ7Tk
✅ Books mentioned:
The Authenticity of the Early Buddhist Texts -- ocbs.org/the-authenticity-of-the-early-buddhist-texts
Bhikkhu Anālayo, Superiority Conceit in Buddhist Traditions: A Historical Perspective -- amzn.to/4tHY1kU
Richard Gombrich and Gananath Obeyesekere, Buddhism Transformed -- amzn.to/3RMoEYw
✅ Suttas mentioned:
- suttacentral.net/mn22/en/bodhi — Ariṭṭha rebuked for misrepresenting the teaching
- suttacentral.net/mn38/en/bodhi — Sāti rebuked
- suttacentral.net/an8.53/en/sujato — functional criteria for the Dhamma
Webpage: dougsdharma.com
Facebook: facebook.com/onlinedharmainstitute
Mastodon: https://mindly.social/@dougsdharma
Instagram: instagram.com/dougsdharma
Threads: threads.net/@dougsdharma
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/dougsdharma.bsky.social
Research and outlining assistance from Claude and Gemini models.
❤️ Thanks to all Patreon Patrons!
Note: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Amazon links are affiliate links where I will earn a very small commission on purchases you make, at no additional cost to you. This goes a tiny way towards defraying the costs of making these videos. Thank you!
Is "Early Buddhism" a claim that earlier texts are "truer" or more "authentic" than later Buddhist traditions? In this companion to my earlier video on authentic Buddhism, I take up what "early Buddhism" means as a scholarly category, and why historical priority isn't the same as normative priority.
🧡 If you find this material useful, check out my Patreon page and get fun benefits like exclusive videos, audio-only versions, and extensive show notes: patreon.com/dougsseculardharma
🧡 You can also make donations through: paypal.me/dougsdharma
📙 Check out my book, A Handbook of Early Buddhist Wisdom, with a Foreword by Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi: books2read.com/buddhisthandbook
📖 Index of all my videos: dougs-dharma.github.io/dougs-dharma-index
✅ Videos mentioned:
What is Authentic Buddhism? -- youtu.be/kS-Xtsq4_xE
What is Protestant Buddhism? -- youtu.be/-sWv88hQ7Tk
✅ Books mentioned:
The Authenticity of the Early Buddhist Texts -- ocbs.org/the-authenticity-of-the-early-buddhist-texts
Bhikkhu Anālayo, Superiority Conceit in Buddhist Traditions: A Historical Perspective -- amzn.to/4tHY1kU
Richard Gombrich and Gananath Obeyesekere, Buddhism Transformed -- amzn.to/3RMoEYw
✅ Suttas mentioned:
- suttacentral.net/mn22/en/bodhi — Ariṭṭha rebuked for misrepresenting the teaching
- suttacentral.net/mn38/en/bodhi — Sāti rebuked
- suttacentral.net/an8.53/en/sujato — functional criteria for the Dhamma
Webpage: dougsdharma.com
Facebook: facebook.com/onlinedharmainstitute
Mastodon: https://mindly.social/@dougsdharma
Instagram: instagram.com/dougsdharma
Threads: threads.net/@dougsdharma
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/dougsdharma.bsky.social
Research and outlining assistance from Claude and Gemini models.
❤️ Thanks to all Patreon Patrons!
Note: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Amazon links are affiliate links where I will earn a very small commission on purchases you make, at no additional cost to you. This goes a tiny way towards defraying the costs of making these videos. Thank you!
