James Apple: Atiśa’s Stages Of The Path To Awakening (#213)
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In this episode, join James B. Apple and host Daniel Aitken as they celebrate James’s newest release, Atiśa’s Stages Of The Path To Awakening. James is Professor of Buddhist Studies at the University of Calgary. His current research focuses on the critical analysis of Mahāyāna sūtras and topics within Indian and Tibetan Buddhist scholasticism. He has published over fifty peer-reviewed articles in international academic journals as well as numerous books, including Jewels Of The Middle Way, also by Wisdom Publications.
In this episode, James and Daniel explore:
- the concept of clear light and the integration of meditative traditions in Indian and Tibetan Buddhism;
- the history of Atisa’s lamrims and the significance of the text, Stages Of The Path to Awakening;
- the historical context leading to the text’s near disappearance and later rediscovery; and
- so much more!
Wisdom Podcast listeners are invited to save 20% off Atiśa’s Stages Of The Path To Awakening with code WPODATISA through September 30, 2025.
About the Interviewee
James B. Apple is full Professor of Buddhist Studies at the University of Calgary. He received his doctorate in Buddhist Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His current research focuses upon the critical analysis of Mahāyāna sūtras and topics within Indian and Tibetan Buddhist scholasticism. He has published over fifty peer-reviewed articles in international academic journals. His books include Stairway to Nirvāṇa (State University of New York Press, 2008), A Stairway taken by the Lucid: Tsong kha pa’s Study of Noble Beings (Aditya Prakashan, 2013), Jewels of the Middle Way, The Madhyamaka Legacy of Atiśa and His Early Tibetan Followers (Wisdom Publications, 2018), Atiśa Dīpaṃkara Illuminator of the Awakened Mind (Shambala, 2019), and An Old Tibetan Dunhuang Manuscript of the Avaivartikacakrasūtra (Revue d’Etudes Tibétaines, 2021).
