To "Know" Absolutely Everything (?)

To "Know" Absolutely Everything (?)

From Tibetan Buddhism: The Elegant Mind by chenrezigproject

September 4, 2025 · 13 min · Episode 78

About this episode

The episode explores the concept of omniscience in Buddhism and whether it is an attainable potential or merely a dream.

"Omniscience" -- defined by Merriam-Webster as "having infinite awareness, understanding and insight; possessed of universal or complete knowledge." Otherwise known in our Mahayana perspectives as perfectly evolved wisdom, compassion and a complete understanding of everything that could ever be understood in order to fully awaken; to become a brilliantly pure 'helper' of other beings . . . aka Buddhahood. Fact or fiction? Fairy tale, wishful thinking or Buddhist contemplative mind-science? Is this each sentient beings' (yes, including yours) attainable potential, our embryonic "True Nature" . . . or an imaginatively egoistic dream-scape? Some are doubtful, others skeptical or cynical, and then there's those who simply knee-jerk into ridiculing the notion. But perhaps -- for the thoughtful -- doubt serves as a prolific gateway along the path . . . (Length: 13 minutes) The Elegant Mind is shared here by Mark Winwood, a member of the teaching faculty at Naropa University in Boulder, CO with accompanying music composed and performed by the San Francisco Bay-area musician Bobby Vega. (contact: mwinwood@gmail.com)

People in this episode

Host: Mark Winwood

Topics covered

  • omniscience
  • Mahayana Buddhism
  • Buddhism
  • wisdom
  • compassion
  • Buddhahood
  • true nature

Keywords

  • omniscience
  • Buddhism
  • Mahayana
  • wisdom
  • compassion
  • Buddhahood
  • true nature
  • mind-science

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Naropa University

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