Thusness

by Alan W. Watts

Alan Watts discusses the word tathata , which is translated from the Sanskrit as "suchness" or "thusness." The term is used in Mahayana Buddhism to suggest how things look to a Buddha, to one who has experienced enlightenment or liberation and is, therefore, called a Tathagata ―one who comes (and goes) thus. Watts shares the sense of this nonsense in Buddhist philosophy, and its practical demonstration in Zen.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Buddhism, Audiobook

Audio CD

First published January 6, 2015

About the author

Alan Wilson Watts was a British philosopher, writer and speaker, who held both a Master's in Theology and a Doctorate of Divinity. Famous for his research on comparative religion, he was best known as an interpreter and popularizer of Asian philosophies for a Western audience. He wrote over 25 books and numerous articles on subjects such as personal identity, the true nature of reality, higher consciousness, the meaning of life, concepts and images of God and the non-material pursuit of happiness. In his books he relates his experience to scientific knowledge and to the teachings of Eastern and Western religion and philosophy.

Reviews

[Claudiu · Rating 5 out of 5]

tathata, tata...

[Brian Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watts, as always, is gifted at clarifying what some might see as complex, so showing how the simple is simple. Here, he puts into a broad context of Buddhist and Eastern thought the single theme of "Thusness, Suchness."

Watts demystifies this Naturalness, as did the Buddha, the Christ, and other sages. "Thusness" can serve as a primer for Buddhist thought, also, as Watts places "Thusness, Suchness" in the religious context in which the usage arose. Yet, again, Watts shows how this Naturalness belongs to Nature itself, that Nature is this "Thusness, Suchness," not any particular path of wisdom, such as Buddhism. Indeed, Watts quotes Jesus, from the Christian New Testament, and the Tao Te Ching, as examples of this universality of Naturalness wisdom teaching.

Last, Watts avoids denuding "Thusness, Suchness" of degrees of quality, recognizing while all is Natural, not all equally manifests the Natural. This provides a rejoinder to persons who wish to see equality as lacking degrees of "depth" or "quality" of Nature, or Life.

[Laureena Mardini · Rating 4 out of 5]

On Buddhism, Samsara, Nirvana, shamans, priests, suffering, desire, and the art of letting go.
As always, a simplified, charismatic and comic presentation of it all by Alan Watts. Quite open and trippy...

[Ala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enchanting, mind opening, lecture by Dr Watts. Simplifying Buddhism while allowing the listener to question themselves.

[Der Steppenwulf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A philosopher high on psylocibin- very correct but high all the same.. recommended if you are open to that sort of discourse. It definitely makes you think. I recommend it - with the above caveat

[Kael]

Good listen if enjoy Alan Watt's other talks. It is a talk though. It's wise and purposeful, but it's not a reading of a book, and therefore is not as refined or linear as Watt's other, actual books.

[Alfie Munkley · Rating 4 out of 5]

listening to this man is such a delight

[Teo · Rating 4 out of 5]

2017.02.09–2017.02.09

Watts A (2015) (03:09) Thusness