Confucius, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad

By: Mark W. Muesse, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Mark W. Muesse

Length: 18 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

No understanding of human life, individual or collective, could be complete without factoring in the role and contribution of these history-shaping teachers. Now, this 36-lecture series takes you deep into the life stories and legacies of these four iconic figures, revealing the core teachings, and thoughts of each, and shedding light on the historical processes that underlie their phenomenal, enduring impact.

Speaking from multilevel personal experience with these teachings, Professor Muesse leads you in an inquiry with a dynamic double thrust.

First, you'll get the chance to reflect in depth on the most essential values of spirituality and the art of living, seen from four archetypal perspectives. Second, you'll delve into the historical contexts and individual lives of the four sages, and how the religious and philosophical traditions we associate with them came into being. The lectures serve as a unique window on the origins of these traditions, through their focus on the teachings, actions, and historical roles of the sages who inspired them. In uncovering the original wisdom and practices of each sage, you'll grapple with key questions. How did each man understand the nature of the universe? How did each envision the human self? What did they each see as the path to true self-realization? In words reflecting profound and compassionate insight, these lectures bring the teachings vividly alive as they speak to their essential purpose and as they shed light on the choices we all face, moment by moment, in living deliberately and savoring life to the fullest.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2010 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2010 The Great Courses

Comparative look at the lives of the most influential religious figures

Check this out if you’re interested in the personal histories of the world’s most influential religious figures. I particularly enjoyed learning about the political and cultural contexts in which Confucius, The Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad lived in and how that shaped their teachings and the traditions that followed them.

This brought home the personal side of these figures. What it did not do is attempt to extrapolate much about the religions that followed in the millennia after their deaths. As a result, I felt I came to understand each man on his own terms. This reframed my understanding of these figures, and for that, I recommend this lecture series.

Great subject told in a very digestable manner.

This is my favorite professor when it comes to ease of listening and comprehension. i enjoyed the progression of the lectures, and learned quite a bit about each sage, and the different ways to compare them, and it gave me clearer perspective on what i want to strive for in life for joy. excellent listen!

Awesome course

Great format, good presentation, very interesting.
A great course to learn more about faith and how cultures began to practice theirs. Many rays of light.

Outstanding!

A wealth of knowledge into the lives of these four sages whom lead the faith and spiritual path of so many of us. Truly brilliant!

Learn about History and a meaningful life

This was by far the most meaningful series I have ever listened to. simply amazing

Very thorough

author was very thorough yet cognizant enough to warn the audience of his human restrictions in knowledge (or ignorance), interpretation, and efforts to be unbias as he could, though he shows his bias towards his likeness of each subject.

Interesting perspective on topics I am not well-versed in

I picked this up because it seemed like knowing a little more about these sages and the effects their teachings have on world cultures would be meaningful in the fragmented world we live in today. In meeting THAT goal, the course was well worth my time. A couple of cautions though - 1. he speaks SLOWLY! Listening to the lectures at 1.5 speed helped a lot. At regular speed I would lose track of what he was saying (since I usually listen while driving or cleaning the house). And 2. As a devout Christian, it was an interesting experience to hear someone talk about the life and teachings of Jesus WITHOUT the lens of faith I typically have. If you are a faith-filled believer in ANY of the religions or ways of life attributed to followers of these teachers, I would imagine the experience would be similar. He comes at things with a very academic viewpoint that can sometimes come across as clinical. So while I appreciated the information he shared in the lectures, in future investigations I think I would seek out the warmth and testimony of individuals believers now that I have an overview of the basic tenets.

I am glad I took the time to listen to these lectures. I think any time we seek to understand different perspectives and beliefs, our lives are richer for the experience. I was grateful to learn there really is MUCH I as a Christian have in common with our Buddhist and Muslim friends in the world.

Great lecturer

The professor was very articulate, spoke clearly and at a perfect pace to give the reader an opportunity to absorb the material. Hope to listen to more lectures from him.

amazing history lesson

it was an amazing insight to see the teachings and what they had in common between all four sages, I would strongly recommend this book

Religious Studies Major Approves!

I earned my degree in religious studies more than 10 years ago. These lectures taught me new information and refreshed my memory on some aspects I had forgotten.

The course is mostly a historical survey of the four spiritual leaders identified in the title. People of any — or no — religious background should find these lectures enriching, educational, and (if you happen to be religiously-curious) inspirational.

I appreciate that there is no churchy bias built into this course, even though the professor seems to have come from a Christian upbringing (based on some statements during his final lecture).