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Confucius, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad

By: Mark W. Muesse, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Mark W. Muesse
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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

What listeners say about Confucius, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad

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Excellent course!

A most enjoyable course of discovery about these amazing men and their teachings. The lectures are interesting, informative and unbiased. As a person of no religious persuasion I was interested in learning about the men who have shaped humanity without the secularism often associated with this subject. I was very pleasantly relieved to discover a lecturer with the ability to approach this course with an analytical mind without losing the "humanism" that any discussion of these four incredible human beings deserves. Brilliantly done!

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7 people found this helpful

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great learning

This series was very informative, non-biased and a great source of information on the topic. I found it very eye opening and will probably listen to it more than once

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2 people found this helpful

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A really fascinating account

What made the experience of listening to Confucius, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad the most enjoyable?

Muesse delivers the content in an interesting and engaging manner. Even though this audiobook was 28 hours, I never felt uninterested in the lectures.

What did you like best about this story?

The content on the Buddha in particular gave left me with a much greater respect of Buddhism and its practices.
I felt that the story focussed purely on the positive aspects of the sages and I think it would have gained a lot from also discussing the negative aspects of each character.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, you need time to process all of the information between sittings. There is a lot of content.

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2 people found this helpful

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An information packed introduction

I have always wanted to know more about these 4 great sages, and the book delivered. It is so information packed you can expect to want to “read” it more than once.
Even so, I would have liked more information, but that’s not the point. The book has whet my appetite for further exploration of the great teachers of whom I want to learn more.
I just discovered PDF that you can download which is handy to be able to focus in on certain topics and let them “settle in your mind” before moving to the next point.
In summary, in was a very worthwhile and enjoyable book.

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a well informed view

this is a well informed opinion of the many lessons we can learn of the great historical figures. it was a great insite into the misconceptions that religion offer on all platforms of religion.

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informative

great book. Professor Mark W. Muesse is very well informed and articulates his works perfectly

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I loved this.

I was 'umming' and 'ahhing' about getting this. There’s so much great stuff on the Great Courses. But something pushed me into getting it. Whatever that was I’m truly grateful. This was fabulous. It contextualised the lives, thoughts and aspirations of four people I wanted to get to know better. I enjoyed it all.

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Loved it

I enjoyed the journey and challenge to norms and a different view to what is often told.

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Enlightening

An informative course on 4 different philosophical spiritual beliefs delivered in a unbiased manner which gave the listener an insight into the basic foundations of the teachings of these 4 great men. Prof. Mark W. Muesse’s delivery of the course was not only inspirational but very inclusive in that I felt he was talking with me personally.

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Explicit and interesting

Loved that the book labelled what is likely factual and likely mythical for the sake of all comparisons and left the discussion neutral. Great discussion of the context of each Sage and on what grounds their reputation was built and the religions that formed around them without the untouchable hoo-hah in modern religious groups. Probably goes an extra few hours longer than it should but never boring.

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