Ep121: Leaving Monasticism - Thupten Phuntsok

Nov 12, 2021

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In this interview I am joined by Thupten Phuntsok, Buddhist teacher who, after 21 years as a monk in the Gelugpa order, disrobed to live the life of a lay person in New York City. Phuntsok describes his childhood in Haiti, and the awakening of his desire to become Christ-like and dedicate his life to spiritual contemplation. Phuntsok shares his subsequent explorations in Western Esotericism, Indian yoga, and Tibetan Buddhism including studies under Rato Rinpoche and Geshe Lobsang Tharchin. Phuntsok also shares his views on the dysfunctions of modern sexuality, the scholastic emphasis of his Gelugpa training, the 6 Yogas of Naropa, and reveals the surprising reasons why after two decades he chose to leave the monastic life behind. …   Video version at: https://www.guruviking.com/ep121-leaving-monasticism-thupten-phuntsok/  Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:49 - Childhood spiritual leanings 03:21 - Why Phuntsok did not become a Catholic priest 04:46 - Christian vs Buddhist monasticism 06:13 - Interest in reading and meeting Kyongla Rato Rinpoche 09:50 - What does it mean to be Christ-like 12:46 - Tonglen and substitutionary atonement 13:55 - Studies with Rato Rinpoche, the Himalayan Institute, and Rosicrucianism 19:31 - Meeting Sermey Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Tharchin 23:55 - Social context, Hinduism & Buddhism 25:26 - Phuntsok’s daily practice 27:24 - Daily esoteric practice of Rosicrucianism 31:00 - States of high concentration and the lack of masters 34:45 - Ordination as a Buddhist monk 40:28 - Family opinion on Phuntsok’s ordination 42:34 - Struggles as a monk 49:22 - Sexuality and celibacy 51:52 - Modern sexuality is dysfunctional, multi-generational trauma 55:22 - Analysis of dysfunctional sexuality 01:02:50 - How did Phuntsok arrive at this view? 01:21:31 - Why Phuntsok didn’t live in a monastery 01:30:00 - Doctrinal education under Geshe Lobsang Tharchin 01:39:05 - 6 Yogas of Naropa and sacrilegious views on tantra 01:43:49 - Disrobing as a monk after 21 years 01:50:23 - Out of touch with people 01:57:43 - Teaching activities ... To find out more about Thubten Phuntsok, visit: - https://www.thuptenphuntsok.com/ - https://www.youtube.com/c/ThuptenPhuntsok - https://www.patreon.com/thuptenphuntsok  For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James