Philosophy Meets Buddhism Seminars with Gus Santo

All are welcome! Join Gus for a deep dive and lively discussion about philosophy and Buddhism! Each seminar meets on Thursday evenings from 6-7:30p for 4 consecutive weeks and the last week includes a wrap-up pizza party!

Each seminar has a one-time fee of $40 (non-refundable) and all proceeds are donated to the Blue Lotus Temple.

2026 SEMINAR SCHEDULE

February 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th. 6 pm – 7:30 pm.

Ethics: Compassion, Happiness, Utility & Duty:

An exploration of ethics as distinct from morality, happiness, or the imperatives of duty or utility. How can ethical thinking be grounded in reality and is grounding it even desirable? The Buddha’s integration of compassion with mindful awareness of suffering.

May 7th, 14th, 21st, & 28th. 6 pm – 7:30 pm.

Thrown Into the World—The Buddha & Heidegger:

We are born into a world without our consent, propelled into being-towards-death. We are condemned to be, to be free and therefore to be responsible for ourselves and our world whether we like it or not. Responsibility ensues like a shadow that never leaves us.

August 6th, 13th, 20th, & 27th. 6 pm – 7:30 pm.

Emmanuel Levinas & the Other—Buddha & Emptiness:

If we are all “one” as brothers and sisters then what happens to the other as “other”? What becomes of impermanence if everything is the “same” in an eternity that never changes? If the Buddha’s emptiness and the no-self of the Dharma precede my personality and my ego then doesn’t the unity of all mankind become superfluous?

October 29th, November 5th, 12th, & 19th. 6 pm – 7:30 pm.

Schopenhauer, Nietzsche & the Buddha on Suffering:

Let’s face it. Suffering is ubiquitous. However, philosophers and the dharma both address suffering from varying perspectives: what it is and how to deal with it. This seminar will explore suffering in the thought of Arthur Schopenhauer and his influence on Friedrich Nietzsche, and compare that with the Buddha’s profound insight.

About the Instructor:

Following his service in the U.S. Army as a drill sergeant, Gus Santo became a Benedictine monk for six years and studied philosophy, monastic history & theology.

After graduating summa cum laude from St. John’s University he was appointed an instructor as a member of the philosophy faculty at St. John’s. Later, Gus left the monastic life and worked as a job analyst at City Hall in Chicago for the Department of Human Resources. When he retired from the City of Chicago he became an MHP (Mental Health Professional) at Pioneer Center in McHenry, Illinois. He became a dharmic practitioner in 2020.

Gus has taught a variety of adult education philosophy classes at Unitarian Universalist Churches in Hartland, Wisconsin, and McHenry, and has led a number of seminars on Western Philosophy and Buddhism here at the Blue Lotus Temple in Woodstock.