Confucius, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad

By: Mark W. Muesse, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Mark W. Muesse

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

Enlightening!

Loved the narration of the stories and messeges delivered by these distinguished and illustrious figures. The lectures aptly captures the crux of the tenets of religions.

Concise and thought provoking

The course covers a plethora of knowledge and structures and summarized it very well. Mark Muesse is also very honest and tried to share things in that manner without biasing things.

Well done history on the individuals

I was expecting more of the teachings so my bad not exactly what I was looking for.

Excellent

Detail by detail, very interesting. Good to know more of each of these characters who lived amongst us.

informative

love it need to hear it a few more times too much to digest the first time around