Ep332: Oxford Librarian of Tibet - Charles Manson

Nov 7, 2025

In a fascinating discussion, Charles Manson, a specialist librarian for the Tibetan collections at Oxford, takes listeners on a journey through the Bodleian Library’s treasures. He unveils the secrets of Tibetan manuscripts, including the striking gold-lettered Lamdre texts and the concept of terma. Charles shares insights on the Tibetan afterlife and the enlightening Tibetan Book of the Dead. He also reflects on his own path in Tibetology and emphasizes the importance of learning Tibetan for deeper understanding. Prepare for a rich dive into a world of ancient wisdom!

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ANECDOTE

Walking The Bodleian Quadrangles

Charles Manson leads a walk-through of the Old Bodleian and Weston Library, describing spaces and ceremonies he encounters.
He notes the buildings' history and everyday use by scholars, tourists, and summer plays.

ANECDOTE

Driver Collection Origin Story

Charles shows a Driver collection manuscript and describes its provenance from Kalimpong and Darjeeling in the late 1950s and 1960s.
He links the collection to Tibetan refugees who later came to Oxford, including Trungpa Rinpoche and Akong Rinpoche.

INSIGHT

Decoration Reveals Manuscript Economics

Luxurious manuscripts use gold and silver lettering for the opening folios, then switch to black ink for economy.
Material choices reflect historical cost and production priorities in Tibetan bookmaking.

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In this episode I join Charles Manson in Oxford, England to visit the Bodleian Library (Oxford University) where he is the specialist librarian for its Tibetan Collections. Charles leads us through the streets of Oxford to visit the old Bodleian Library, founded in 1602. Then we arrive at the Weston Library to explore its collection of Tibetan manuscripts. Charles guides us through gold lettered texts about Lamdre and expiation, describes the process of textual revelation known as “terma”, and shares a warning based on his own experiences of dark retreat. Charles explains the Tibetan doctrines of the afterlife while showing a rare copy of the Tibetan Book of the Dead, muses on Coleridge’s advice for visiting a library, and reflects on why he believes converts to Tibetan Buddhism should attempt to learn the Tibetan language. Charles also details his working routine as a librarian and archivist, reflects on his own academic journey from SOAS to Harvard and Oxford, and considers the role his religious faith plays in his work with Tibetan texts. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep332-oxford-librarian-of-tibet-charles-manson Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.  … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:16 - The old Bodleian 03:25 - Entering the Weston Library 06:13 - Retrieving the texts 06:48 - The Driver collection 08:29 - Close look at a Lamdre text 12:33 - Features of a terma treasure text 13:14 - Mind vs earth termas 15:15 - How termas are composed 15:51 - Charles’ terma experience 16:54 - 4 ways of changing the mind 17:30 - Expanding a terma 18:02 - The Driver collection 19:00 - Dakini script and images 20:52 - Manuscript care 21:20 - Unwrapping a text, discovering a washing prayer 22:30 - More texts 24:50 - The Tibetan Book of the Dead 26:03 - Bardo doctrine of 49 days between lives 26:24 - Opportunities for liberation at and after death 27:43 - How to use the Tibetan Book of the Dead 28:39 - The process of rebirth 29:48 - Liberation upon hearing 30:18 - Phowa practice for the dead 33:16 - Dark retreat as preparation for death 34:11 - Dark retreat warnings 35:40 - Charles’ studies at SOAS, Harvard, and Oxford 38:45 - Beginning at the Bodleian Library 39:58 - Coleridge on libraries 41:15 - Work at the British Library 41:46 - Why Charles would like more time 43:06 - First days at the Bodleian Library 44:36 - Initial work on the collection 45:27 - The Library of Congress and other partnerships 50:59 - Range of acquisitions 52:46 - Tibetan medical writing 53:41 - Access and the goals of Charles’ library acquisitions 57:14 - What would Charles do with more funding 01:01:41 - Providing online access for the world 01:03:32 - Day in the life at the Bodleian Library 01:06:33 - Importance of specialist knowledge 01:09:19 - Charles’ religious devotion 01:13:45 - Separation of religion and scholarship 01:14:53 - Why converts should learn the Tibetan language 01:16:43 - Scholar practitioners and the importance of study 01:18:17 - Teaching the Tibetan language 01:19:02 - Curation as religious service 01:19:17 - Charles’ invitation to viewers … Previous episode with Charles Manson: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep243-scholar-practitioner-charles-manson To find our more about Charles Manson, visit: - https://www.shambhala.com/authors/the-second-karmapa-karma-pakshi.html - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/charles-manson-07420911 - charles.manson@bodleian.ox.ac.uk …  For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James