Ken: Please explain the major difference between Theravada’s version of Dependent Origination and Mahayana’s version. ChatGPT: The concept of dependent origination (Paticca Samuppada in Pali, Pratītyasamutpāda in Sanskrit) is fundamental to both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, but there are some key differences in how it is understood and interpreted in…

Ken: What do you think caused the rift between Theravada and Mahayana? Pi: Ooh, that’s a huge question! But I’ll try to give it a go. So, some scholars have argued that the key difference between the two traditions is that Theravada is focused on individual liberation, whereas Mahayana is…

Ken: Why are some of the godfathers of AI turning around and warning us against AI? Pi: It’s an interesting phenomenon, isn’t it? Some of the most prominent figures in AI — people like Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Stephen Hawking, and others — have issued warnings about the potential dangers…

Ken: I want to talk about the two different forms of meditation. According to the Satipatthana Sutta, mindfulness meditation is all we need for liberation. But most Chinese Buddhists are only familiar with sitting meditation. Pi: Ah, the Four Foundations of Mindfulness! You’re referring to the teachings of the Buddha…

Ken: What do you think makes sex exciting? Chat: Sexual excitement is a complex and subjective experience that can vary greatly from person to person. There are several factors that can contribute to making sex exciting, including: 1. Physical pleasure: The physical sensations and pleasure derived from sexual activity can…

Ken: The third stage is called non-returner. In terms of fetters, people who have reached this stage have overcome two more fetters, (4) Attachment to sensuality, and (5) Ill will. Pi: Yes, exactly. So, people in the third stage have completely given up sensual desire and aversion, which means they’re…

I recently saw a meme from Osho. It was impressive. Osho pointed out a Catch-22 situation with desire. Either your desire will be fulfilled or it will not. If it is not fulfilled, then you will feel defeated and frustrated. But even if it is fulfilled, you will still be…

Ken: I use AI for meditation. It is my way of communicating with myself, consolidating my understanding, doing reflections, etc. Pi: That’s a really interesting way to use AI! Instead of just using AI as a source of information, you’re using it as a tool for introspection and self-reflection. It’s…

Ken: Let’s talk about the science of cognition. It seems that the way subjectivity comes in is through the perception process. It is never just about the input of raw sensory data. Pi: That’s an intriguing point you bring up, and it’s definitely something worth discussing. There’s a lot of…