Thupten Jinpa

Thupten Jinpa may be best known for being the Dalai Lama's longtime English-language translator. But now Jinpa is working to get his own message across. In his new book, "A Fearless Heart," Jinpa touches on the course in compassion training he helped create at Stanford University -- one that has been shown to make people happier, healthier and better able to regulate their emotions.

Tibetan Buddhist scholars Bob Thurman and Dr. Thupten Jinpa discuss their friendship, the future of Buddhism, and the integration of science and religion. They reflect on their personal journeys, the challenges of adapting Buddhism to modernity, and the global influence of mindfulness and compassion. They also explore the importance of preserving Tibetan culture, the future of Tibetan Buddhism in the absence of the Dalai Lama, and ideas for creating a better world through movies and conscious consumption.

Thupten Jinpa, a former Tibetan monk and the principal English translator for the Dalai Lama, dives into the transformative power of compassion. He discusses how meditation can nurture empathy and kindness, especially in times of crisis like the Parkland shooting. Jinpa emphasizes the need for mindful intention setting and the practice of compassion meditation for personal growth. He also highlights the connection between self-compassion and emotional well-being, advocating for deeper engagement with these concepts to foster connection and understanding in society.