The Illusory Self

The Illusory Self: Identity in Christianity and Buddhism

Seminar and Dialogue at Blackfriars Hall, University of Oxford

The concept of self presents itself to us in various forms, prompting the question: which versions of the self truly exist? What are we, at our core, and what constitutes reality? The exploration of these questions can be found across a range of philosophical perspectives, whether embraced by the faithful or the sceptical. Christianity and Buddhism offer intriguing insights into the nature of the individual and the repercussions of clinging to a false self. Furthermore, they provide methods and reasoning to help dispel misconceptions surrounding this false self, enabling us to grasp the true nature of our identity.

Speakers:

• Reginald Mary Chua OP
• Geshe Tenzin Namdak

Schedule:

14:00-14:05: Introduction by Blackfriars Hall

14:05-14:25: Presentation by Reginald Chua OP

14:25-14:45: Presentation by Geshe Tenzin Namdak

14:45-15:15: Dialogue by moderator and two speakers

15:15-15:45: Q&A and Discussion

15:45-15:50: Concluding words by Blackfriars Hall

In-person only event

Please let us know if you are attending and register at: admin@bfriars.ox.ac.uk

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Reginald Mary Chua OP

Fr Reginald grew up in Perth, Western Australia, before moving to Sydney to study philosophy at Sydney University, gaining an MPhil in philosophy. During this time, he met Dominican friars on campus, leading him to join the Australian Province of the Dominican Order in 2014. This led to pastoral and theological training in Melbourne, including a study of St Thomas Aquinas’s understanding of the concept of identity in Trinitarian theology.  After being ordained a priest Fr Reginald served as a chaplain in Sydney at the University of Notre Dame Australia, where he also taught philosophy. He is currently undertaking a DPhil in philosophy at Oxford, taking a deeper look at the concept of identity through the work of the Catholic philosopher Peter Geach. He continues to have a particular interest in interreligious dialogue as well as dialogue between scholastic philosophy and Chinese philosophy, including Chinese Buddhism.

Geshe Tenzin Namdak

Geshe Namdak began his career as an environmental researcher after earning a BSc in hydrology from Van Hall Larenstein University in the Netherlands. He subsequently pursued studies in Buddhist philosophy and mind science at Sera Jey Monastic University in South India, where he completed the comprehensive twenty-year Geshe program as a Buddhist monk ordained by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Currently, he serves as a teacher at the Jamyang London Buddhist Centre and as an associate tutor in the Department for Continuing Education at the University of Oxford. Geshe Namdak is engaged in doctoral research on the Madhyamaka and Cittam?tra schools within Indo-Tibetan doxography at the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Oxford. Additionally, he frequently participates in dialogues with esteemed scientists on innovative topics, including reality, consciousness, and the illusion of the self, on Science & Wisdom LIVE.

Tickets: Free
Venue: Blackfriars Hall - St Giles Oxford, OX1 3LY United Kingdom Array ( [lat] => 51.756248 [lng] => -1.259881 )