“I Am Because of You” What African Wisdom and Buddhism Have in Common | Vibe with Venerables Ep 39

by | May 17, 2026 | Buddhism.net Blog, Recording

What did the Buddha actually teach, and why does it still matter today?

In Episode 39 of Vibe with Venerables, Bhante Buddharakkhita, founder and abbot of ‪Uganda Buddhist Center‬ explains the Buddha not as a distant myth, but as a human being who awakened and showed what is possible for all of us. With humor, warmth, and plenty of memorable moments, including “Nirvana, not banana,” he breaks down the Buddha’s teaching as a practical path toward freedom.

In this episode, you’ll learn how the Buddha’s teaching helps us:

  • Understand suffering without running from it
  • Abandon the causes of suffering
  • Realize peace, liberation, and ultimate happiness
  • Develop the path that leads to freedom
  • See the connection between Buddhism, Ubuntu, karma, and African wisdom

This conversation is a reminder that the Buddha’s teaching is not just ancient philosophy but a living path we can practice today, one small step at a time.

Donation

This series is freely offered by Buddhism.net. If you’d like to show your appreciation and gratitude to our teacher, Bhante Buddharakkhita, you may make a donation to Uganda Buddhist Center. We thank you for dāna, the practice of cultivating generosity: https://ugandabuddhistcenter.org/ways-to-give/

Chade-Meng Tan

Meng is an award-winning engineer, international bestselling author, movie producer and philanthropist. His work has been nominated eight times for the Nobel Peace Prize. (Read Meng's story)

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