Ep276: Canadian Tulku Translator - Tulku Sherab Dorje
Oct 18, 2024
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In this engaging discussion, Tulku Sherab Dorje, a Buddhist teacher and author with a rich legal background, shares insights from his unusual upbringing and years of spiritual retreat. He delves into the interplay between cynicism and devotion, emphasizing the role of humor in Buddhist teachings. Tulku also reflects on the art of translation and the complexities of the tulku system, while exploring how past lives influence present experiences. His unique perspective highlights the balance between academic rigor and spiritual practice, making for a fascinating conversation.
Tulku Sherab Dorje emphasizes the dynamic interplay between cynicism and devotion, illustrating how both can enhance spiritual practice.
Humor is presented as a powerful educational tool in spiritual teachings, facilitating deeper connections between teachers and students.
The importance of cultural background is highlighted, showcasing how personal experiences shape one's spiritual inquiries and connections to Tibetan Buddhism.
Deep dives
Balancing Cynicism and Devotion
The discussion emphasizes the tension between cynicism and devotion in spiritual practice. Tulku Sherap Dorje shares his personal experiences, relating how both qualities have shaped his understanding of Buddhism. He uses humor to illustrate this dynamic, noting that acknowledging one’s shortcomings can lead to a more authentic spiritual journey. This interplay encourages practitioners to engage with their spiritual path honestly, blending critique with reverence.
The Role of Humor in Spiritual Teaching
Humor is recognized as a vital tool in spiritual teaching and communication, with Tulku Sherap Dorje referencing historical Tibetan figures who utilized it effectively. He explains that humor can disarm pretentiousness and foster connection between teachers and students. Notably, Buddha Shakyamuni’s use of humor in teachings highlights its potential for conveying profound truths in a relatable manner. By integrating humor into spiritual discourse, teachers can create an environment conducive to learning and understanding.
The Impact of Early Life on Spiritual Path
Tulku Sherap Dorje reflects on his childhood and cultural background, emphasizing the challenges of growing up in a Jewish community steeped in the history of tragedy and resilience. These early experiences shaped his spiritual inquiries and connections to Tibetan Buddhism, offering a unique lens through which he viewed suffering and existential questions. His peculiar behaviors as a child, akin to early spiritual practices, hinted at his karmic connections. This exploration of past life influences offers insight into how formative experiences can propel one into a deeper spiritual awakening.
The Importance of Reinvesting Spiritual Merit
The concept of reinvesting spiritual merit is a key aspect of Tulku Sherap Dorje's philosophy. He describes life as a series of opportunities to either spend or reinvest the merit earned through good actions and insights, analogizing this to academic and personal growth. His commitment to scholarship and practice illustrates a deliberate choice to build on past experiences, enhancing his capacity to teach and help others. This perspective encourages individuals to recognize the significance of their spiritual investments and use them for the greater good.
Navigating Translation and Cultural Nuances
Tulku Sherap Dorje discusses the complexities involved in translating Buddhist texts and the potential pitfalls of relying solely on formal language education. He stresses the need for deep cultural immersion to effectively convey the teachings' nuances, noting that language is not merely a set of rules but a living medium shaped by experiences. His background as a trained translator enables him to bridge gaps between different linguistic and cultural contexts, fostering a more authentic understanding of the teachings. This highlights the ongoing evolution of translation practices within the spiritual community.
In this episode I am joined by Tulku Sherab Dorje, Buddhist teacher, translator, and author of scholarly and popular books about Tibetan Buddhism.
Tulku Sherdor recounts his unusual childhood and past-life proclivities, his graduation from Columbia Law School and subsequent elite level law practice, and years of spiritual retreat under masters of Tibetan Buddhist lineages.
Tulku Sherdor explores the creative tension between cynicism and devotion, the use of humour in scripture and spiritual teaching, and the importance of reinvesting one’s merit with the inspiration of bodhicitta.
Tulku Sherdor also reflects on what it takes to be an effective translator, whether critical scholarship is a threat to religious faith, and the pros and cons of the tulku system from his position as a recognised reincarnation.
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Link in bio.
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
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Topics include:
00:00 - Intro
01:34 - Why write about one’s spiritual life?
04:48 - Humour and literary conventions of self-diminishment
06:20 - Self promotion and the marketplace of ideas
08:33 - Cynicism, devotion, and humour in relationship with gurus
11:46 - Buddha’s humour in the sutras
13:53 - Tulku Sherdor’s family background and unusual childhood behaviours
15:20 - Jewish diaspora and resonance with the Tibetan diaspora
17:36 Awakening of existential questioning
18:57 -Child psychologist’s advice to Tulku Sherdor
19:54 - Past life explanation and how to invest your merit
24:24 - How to use your freedoms and advantages
25:22 - Tulku Sherdor expresses gladness about his life’s work
26:52 - Are there dedicated practitioners?
27:49 - Tulku Sherdor’s unique combination of successes
28:53 - Benefits of being a well trained lawyer
29:46 - Important writing lessons learned at Columbia Law School and during law career
32:59 - Hypercriticism of other translators
34:00 - Serving the lineage with high standards
35:44 - Praise for Erik Pema Kunsang and Thinley Norbu
38:11 - Advice for writers and translators
41:12 - Dual-language immersion
42:23 - Translator disillusionment and historical perspective
46:46 - Cultural naivety and the published word
48:41 - Is critical scholarship a threat to sacred texts and religious faith?
53:16 - Advice about how to learn Tibetan
55:31 - Pros and cons of training at Harvard University and the Rangjung Yeshe Institute
56:46 - Advice for graduates of elite academic programs
01:00:39 - Sanskrit and Chinese
01:02:33 - The Amazon monster and Tulku Sherdor’s books
01:05:10 - Remembering past lives
01:08:44 - Carrying qualities into your next life
01:09:15 - Tulku Sherdor reflects on his childhood Dharmic tendencies
01:10:55 - Being a tulku
01:14:21 - Tulku Sherdor reflects on the tulku system
01:15:58 - Concluding remarks
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To find our more about Tulku Sherdor, visit:
- https://blazingwisdom.org/tulku-sherab-dorje/
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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- https://www.guruviking.com
Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
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