About Us| Your Host | The Inspiration behind Luminous Mind
About Us
Luminous Mind is a resource for those who would like to learn about Buddhist thought and ancient wisdom in a way that transcends religious and cultural barriers (not that there's anything wrong with that). Offering special events with guest teachers and ongoing study using audio, video, and printed resources.
We are an educational clearinghouse -- not a church or sangha (spiritual community). Rather, we welcome individuals from a broad range of backgrounds:
- Members of any Buddhist tradition who would like to study the fundamental teachings of Buddhism more deeply, particularly teachings on the nature of experience. Many of our studies will apply to all schools of Buddhism. Most will apply to all Mahayana schools of Buddhism – Zen, Tibetan, etc.
- Individuals whose path lies outside of an established institution.
- For those who are interested in Buddhism but haven't yet committed to a particular form of practice, we offer a chance to study broadly and see where you might connect. We would be happy to refer you to a center where you might take refuge and receive specific lineage teachings.
- For those commited to other religions, we offer a no-obligation opportunity to see how the principles of mindfulness-awareness can enrich your own path, with no need to convert.
- From time to time, we will also offer special events that can benefit anyone, including those without a spiritual path.
The principles of mindfulness-awareness are not inherently religious and need not compete with your religion or lack thereof. Even the Buddha said not to believe anything simply because he said it (See The Buddha's Charter of Free Inquiry in Favorite Quotes). We hope your participation will empower you in your own practice and in your life, as well as your participation in your own spiritual community.
We are proud to support the Nashville Buddhist Festival.
To learn about the founder and the inspiration behind Luminous Mind, click here: Your Host.
On the meaning of Luminous Mind:
The ‘intrinsically luminous mind’ or ‘brightly shining mind’ (Sanskrit, prakṛti-prabhāsvara-citta) is a concept first noted in certain early discourses and later adopted by the Mahāyāna. It refers to the underlying radiant or luminous intrinsic nature of the mind (citta), especially when freed from the enveloping overlay of defilements (kleśa). Identified in Theravādin Abhidharma teachings with the bhavaṇga, the concept was later understood in Mahāyāna as an alternative designation for the inherent Buddha-nature or tathāgata-garbha.
All beings have this basic radiant nature, which extends beyond all boundaries – religious or otherwise. Perhaps this is the same thing Jesus was referring to when he said, "The kingdom of heaven is within."
Meet Your Host