"Buddhism" Prof. Malcolm David Eckel (DVD) (24 Lectures / 30 Minutes Per Lecture /  4x DVD - The Great Courses)
This is a high-octane investigation into the most radical psychological coup in human history. Professor Malcolm David Eckel strips away the "calm and incense" stereotypes to reveal the raw, high-stakes core of Buddhism—not as a passive faith, but as a revolutionary system for hacking the human mind. You’ll engage with the disruptive genius of Siddhartha Gautama, a prince who walked away from absolute power to solve the riddle of existence and suffering. By breaking down the Four Noble Truths and the mind-bending reality of Anatman (no-self), this course acts as a cognitive demolition crew, forcing you to rethink the very nature of your identity with brutal intellectual honesty.
 
The real brilliance here is how Professor Eckel tracks the explosive spread of these ideas as they conquered the globe. You’ll witness the "lightning-strike" evolution of Zen, the sophisticated cosmic drama of Mahayana, and the disciplined, rock-solid foundations of Theravada. This isn't just a history lesson; it’s a masterclass in the mechanics of liberation and the pursuit of Nirvana in a chaotic world. It is a sharp, immersive journey that provides a sophisticated framework for understanding why these ancient practices remain the ultimate challenge to the modern world's obsession with the ego.