Honoring The Wisdom Traditions with Huston Smith, Ph.D.

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This interview is a snapshot of the lively ongoing thought processes of a renowned scholar of world religions. It clearly illustrates how his own spiritual vision has expanded--and likewise his classic reference treatise on world religions. He describes his discovery of Tibetan Buddhism, and his personal meeting with the Dalai Lama. He discusses the Supreme Court decision against the Native American use of peyote, and the importance of maintaining respect for the sacraments of all religions. He also updates us on his own excitement and puzzlements about new developments in science and spirituality. It's a fascinating experience to observe the development of the thought and work of this respected writer and thinker. (hosted by Michael Toms)

Bio

Former professor at Washington University, M.I.T., and U.C. Berkeley, Smith was also the Thomas J. Watson Professor of Religion, Emeritus, at Syracuse University. His compelling classic, The World’s Religions: Our Great Wisdom Traditions, has been the preeminent text for introducing the world of religious wisdom to millions, and its subject and author were the focus of a highly acclaimed 1996 series of interviews with Bill Moyers on PBS.

He is the author of many books, including:

• The World's Religions, Revised and Updated (HarperSanFrancisco 1992)
• Cleansing the Doors of Perception: The Religious Significance of Entheogenic Plants and Chemicals (Putnam 2000)
• Why Religion Matters: The Fate of the Human Spirit in an Age of Disbelief (HarperOne 2001)
• Beyond the Postmodern Mind: The Place of Meaning in a Global Civilization (Quest Books 2003)
• The Soul of Christianity: Restoring the Great Tradition (HarperOne 2005)

To learn more about the work of Huston Smith go to www.hustonsmith.com.

Host: Michael Toms      Interview Date: 8/26/1992      Program Number: 2350