Bob Thurman Podcast: Buddhas Have More Fun!

Addressing the sexual misconduct and abuse by leaders and members of Buddhist communities, Robert A.F. Thurman gives a practical teaching on understanding the destructive emotions and deluded perspectives underlying such bad behavior. Opening this week’s episode with a mantra recitation, Professor Thurman gives a short teaching for Buddhists and Non-Buddhists on the Buddha’s discovery of Bliss, on the nature of nirvana, enlightenment, happiness and on the place of the Guru and disciple relationship. Using Buddhist texts, stories and the teachings of the Middle Way Centrist (Middle Way) school of philosophy, Robert Thurman gives an in-depth history of sexuality in Buddhism within the context of Western colonialism and in light of abusive gurus, teachers and leaders. Podcast includes an introduction to the work of Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, a recommendation of his book on sexuality in Buddhism: “Karmamudra : The Yoga of Bliss“, discussions of: Tantra, Gender Roles in esoteric visualization practices, Hatha Yoga‘s relationship to the Buddhist Inner Sciences, the experience of emptiness and how anyone can begin to transform negative relationships through the development of wisdom and practice of meditation. Abuse in Buddhism : Gurus, Disciples & The Middle Way Photo by Arisa Chattasa on Unsplash This week’s episode’s of the Bob Thurman Podcast was brought to you in part through the support of the Tibet House US Membership Community and Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, New York. Abuse in Buddhism : Gurus, Disciples & The Middle Way – Ep. 192 was recorded in Woodstock, New York, November, 2018. Listen to more archive recordings from from past Robert A.F. Thurman teachings + public events please consider becoming a Tibet House US member. To learn about the benefits of Tibet House US Membership please visit: www.tibethouse.us. The song ‘Dancing Ling’ by Tenzin Choegyal from the album ‘Heart Sutra‘ (2004) by

In this Force For Good archive recording, Professor Thurman gives a teaching on the history of Buddhism and the Esoteric Vajrayana meditation practices preserved in Tibet and found within all Buddhist traditions and teachings. Opening with a humorous presentation on non-duality using the science fiction movies featuring Godzilla, Robert A.F. Thurman explores the nature of anger, the subtle mind and selflessness. Archive recording includes a discussion of dharmakāya and mandala visualizations using The Four Noble Truths, The Heart Sutra, the mis-titled Tibetan Book of the Dead, an exploration of anger with an explanation of “Buddha Pride” and how confidence in the primal knowledge of voidness can help anyone understand how misplaced pride leads to suffering. This recording includes two guided meditations on selflessness and on visualization appropriate for Buddhists and Non-Buddhists alike, This week’s episode’s of the Bob Thurman Podcast was brought to you in part through the support of the Tibet House US Membership Community and Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, New York. Buddhist Sciences Vajrayana : Podcast Bonus RAFT Archives was recorded at the Force For Good Class “Buddhist Sciences II : Vajrayana” on November, 2016 in New York City. ‘A Force For Good’ is a Tibet House US course to further the Dalai Lama’s contemporary world initiatives, from His Holiness’ American Institute of Buddhist Studies and Mind & Life Institute science dialogues (Universe in a Single Atom) and His creation of Abhidharma 2.0 through the “Science for Monks” programs, his “secular ethics” (Ethics for the New Millennium and Beyond Religion), His nonviolent approach to conflict resolution, including His Nobel Peace Laureate activities to seek dialogue and a win-win reconciliation with China in the face of the ongoing ethnicidal policies in Tibet (Freedom in Exile and Man of Peace: The Illustrated Life Story of Tibet’s Dalai Lama) & along with his emphasis on positive activism (A New Reality: Charter of Universal Responsibility). This on-going series was inspired by Daniel Goleman’s ‘

In this two part podcast Professor Thurman gives a teaching on the history of Buddhism and the Esoteric Vajrayana meditation practices preserved in Tibet and found within all Buddhist traditions and teachings. Opening this week’s episode with humorous presentation on non-duality using the science fiction movies featuring Godzilla Robert A.F. Thurman explores the nature of anger, the subtle mind and selflessness. Podcast includes a discussion of dharmakāya and mandala visualizations using The Four Noble Truths, The Heart Sutra and of the mis-titled Tibetan Book of the Dead as a popularization of the Buddhist science of the subtle and super subtle mind. Second half of this podcast continues Professor Thurman’s exploration of anger with an explanation of “Buddha Pride” and how confidence in the primal knowledge of voidness can help anyone understand how misplaced pride or a pride of ordinariness leads to mis-knowing the blissful nature of reality and suffering. Podcast concludes with a presentation of the work of Arnold J. Toynbee & Karl Jaspers on the Axial Age and a recommendation of “Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies” by Jared M. Diamond. This week’s poetry segment Gary Gach reads the poetry of Korean poet, writer, and activist Ko Un This week’s episode’s of the Bob Thurman Podcast was brought to you in part through the support of the Tibet House US Membership Community and Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, New York. Godzilla Sutra : Understanding Anger & The Axial Age – Ep. 191 was recorded at the Force For Good Class on November, 2016 in New York City. This on-going series was inspired by Daniel Goleman’s ‘A Force For Good: The Dalai Lama’s Vision for Our World‘. Gary Gregory Gach is an author, translator, and editor living in San Francisco. A dynamic speaker and teacher in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh’s Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism his works include the anthology “What Book!? Buddha Poems from Beat to Hiphop” and the forthcoming “Pause Breathe Smile – Awakening Mindfulness When Meditation is Not Enough”. Korean poet, writer, and activist Ko Un was born in Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do. He was drawn to poetry after discovering the early work of Han Ha-Un, a nomadic Korean poet with leprosy. After witnessing the devastation of the Korean War, Ko entered a monastery and became a Buddhist monk. He left the Buddhist community in 1962. In the 1970s and early 1980s, Ko was detained, tortured, and imprisoned repeatedly for his opposition to the military regime. Ko has twice won the South Korean Literature Prize and received the Griffin Trust for Excellence in Poetry’s Lifetim

In this archive recording from the “Force for Good” class series Robert A.F. Thurman uses the work of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to elucidate the esoteric sources and imaginative tools used by Tibetan monastics, wandering mendicants, yogis, yoginis and everyday sensitive beings for the cultivation of love, compassion, joy, and equilibrium. Opening with an introduction to the Buddhist Neurosciences as practiced by the Mahāsiddhas using the Cakrasamvara Tantra to develop the art of lucid sleeping, lucid dreaming, and lucid awakening, Professor Thurman provides a road map for seekers of any tradition to positively re-imagine their ability to consciously restructure the brain, relationships and their world through an understanding of the nature of reality. Podcast includes an overview of the Yogic chakras & channels, an explanation of the Mother and Father Tantra systems, the historic reasoning of the secrecy of esoteric teachings due to dangers of becoming conscious of the unconscious and the blissful experiences of the subtle, super subtle and clear light non-dual realities to be discovered by anyone who has developed their inner imaginative microscope through meditative stabilization and the practice of mandala meditations. Recording includes an overview of Nine Point Breath Meditation as taught by Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, introductions to Buddhist Tantra, the Karma Sutra, the history of Theravada and the diverse meditation traditions of India, China and South East Asia, and a frank presentation of so-called “crazy wisdom” by Robert Thurman shedding much needed philosophical light upon the ethical lapses which occur due to milsleading teachers’ and misled students’ misunderstandings of the nature of ultimate and causal realities described by the Buddha and his great successors. ‘A Force For Good’ is a Tibet House US course to further the Dalai Lama’s contemporary world initiatives, from His Holiness’ American Institute

This in depth teaching on the practice and performance of visualization during meditative states Robert A.F. Thurman provides a practical roadmap for those from any religious, cultural or economic background to apply the tools from the esoteric traditions of Buddhist tantra to understand and reduce suffering on all levels. Opening this week’s teaching with an introduction of the subtle energy systems found in Vajrayana Buddhism and Hindu Shaivism Professor Thurman details the transformational power of imaginative visualization when guided by an experienced, qualified teacher. Continuing the discussion begun in last week’s episode on Buddhist Psychonauts this episode includes an overview of Nine Point Breath Meditation as taught by Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, introductions to Buddhist Tantra, the Karma Sutra, the history of Theravada and the diverse meditation traditions of India, China and South East Asia, and a frank presentation of so-called “crazy wisdom” by Robert Thurman shedding much needed philosophical light upon the ethical lapses which occur due to milsleading teachers’ and misled students’ misunderstandings of the nature of ultimate and causal realities described by the Buddha and his great successors. The second half of this week’s episode begins with a short explanation of the Mādhyamaka Centrist or Middle Way perspective and the experiential methods of teaching of emptiness, compassion and relativity found in the writings of Tsongkhapa, Asanga and Nagarjuna. This week’s poetry segment Gary Gach reads the poetry of W. S. Merwin. Pharmacopeia of Visualization : Tantra, Sex and Meditation – Ep. 190 Photo by Matt Briney on Unsplash Gary Gregory Gach is an author, translator, and editor living in San Francisco. A dynamic speaker and teacher in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh’s Plum Village Community of Enga

Using the work of His Holiness the Dalai Lama as presented in Daniel Goleman’s best selling book “Force for Good” Robert A.F. Thurman elucidates the esoteric sources and imaginative tools used by Tibetan monastics, wandering mendicants, yogis, yoginis and everyday sensitive beings for the cultivation of love, compassion, joy, and equilibrium. Opening with an introduction to the Buddhist Neurosciences as practiced by the Mahāsiddhas using the Cakrasamvara Tantra to develop the art of lucid sleeping, lucid dreaming, and lucid awakening, Professor Thurman provides a road map for seekers of any tradition to positively re-imagine their ability to consciously restructure the brain, relationships and their world through an understanding of the nature of reality. Podcast includes an overview of the Yogic chakras & channels, an explanation of the Mother and Father Tantra systems, the historic reasoning of the secrecy of esoteric teachings due to dangers of becoming conscious of the unconscious and the blissful experiences of the subtle, super subtle and clear light non-dual realities to be discovered by anyone who has developed their inner imaginative microscope through meditative stabilization and the practice of mandala meditations. This week’s poetry segment Gary Gach reads “To Paint The Portrait Of A Bird” by Jacques Prévert. Buddhist Psychonauts & Their Yogic Technology – Ep. 189 Photo by Daniil Kuželev on Unsplash Gary Gregory Gach is an author, translator, and editor living in San Francisco. A dynamic speaker and teacher in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh’s Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism his works include the anthology “What Book!? Buddha Poems from Beat to Hiphop” and the forthcoming “Pause Breathe Smile – Awakening Mindfulness When Meditation is Not Enough”. “Buddhist Psychonauts & Their Yogic Technology – Ep. 189″ of the Bob Thurman podcast was recorded at the 2017 Force for Go

Archive recording from the closing talk from the “Death & Deathlessness Retreat” held at Menla in 2015 with Robert A.F. Thurman and Dale Borglum. This archive recording is a lively discussion of the miss titled “Tibetan Book of the Dead” and the place of gurus and fierce deities within the Buddhist perspective on the death process. Includes a traditional guided Bardo meditation on the fierce and peaceful Bardo deities depicted in the “Tibetan Book of the Dead” led by Robert A.F. Thurman which includes: a discussion of the eight stages of dissolution, Buddhism’s perspective on heaven, hell and fantastical realms of the afterlife, Dream Yoga, Lucid Dreaming and call to action for digital animators and film makers to engage in creative projects depicting the journey of life, death and beyond found in all spiritual traditions. “Death & Deathlessness Intro : Podcast Bonus RAFT Archives” photo by Jeremy Thomas on Unsplash Dale Borglum founded and directed the Hanuman Foundation Dying Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the first residential facility in the United States to support conscious dying. Executive Director of the Living/Dying Project in Santa Fe & in the San Francisco Bay Area, Dale is the co-author with Ram Dass, Daniel Goleman and Dwarka Bonner of Journey of Awakening: A Meditator’s Guidebook, and has taught meditation since 1974. Dale lectures and gives workshops on the topics of meditation, healing, spiritual support for those with life-threatening illness, and on caregiving as spiritual practice. He has a doctorate degree from Stanford University. “Tibetan Book of the Dead : Fierce Deities, Friends & Gurus” was recorded at Menla‘s Nalanda Conference Center in Phoenicia, New York during the Oct 31st 2015 Halloween Evening Discussion of the 2015 “Death & Deathlessness: Buddhist Insights and Practices for Life, Death & the In-Between Retreat” with Dale Borglum & Robert A.F. Thurman. To listen to more archive recordings from from past Robert A.F. Thurman teachings + public events please consider becoming a Tibet House US member. To learn about the benefits of Tibet House US Membership please visit: www.tibethouse.us. The song ‘Dancing Ling’ by Tenzin Choegyal from the album ‘Heart Sutra‘ (2004) by Ethno Super Lounge is used on the Bob Thurman Podcast with artist’s permission, all rights reserved.

Robert A.F. Thurman is joined in this two part podcast by the Living/ Dying Project’s Dale Borglum for a lively discussion of the miss titled “Tibetan Book of the Dead” and the place of gurus and fierce deities within the Buddhist perspective on the death process. Opening this week’s podcast with a recommendation of the classic “Zen Flesh, Zen Bones: A Collection of Zen and Pre-Zen Writings” by Paul Reps and Nyogen Senzaki Professor Thurman elaborates the value of the creative imagination within Buddhism and all spiritual traditions. Second half of podcast includes a traditional guided Bardo meditation on the fierce and peaceful Bardo deities depicted in the “Tibetan Book of the Dead” led by Robert A.F. Thurman which includes: a discussion of the eight stages of dissolution, Buddhism’s perspective on heaven, hell and fantastical realms of the afterlife, Dream Yoga, Lucid Dreaming and call to action for digital animators and film makers to engage in creative projects depicting the journey of life, death and beyond found in all spiritual traditions. This week’s poetry segment podcast Gary Gach reads the poetry of Muriel Rukeyser. “Tibetan Book of the Dead : Fierce Deities, Friends & Gurus – Ep. 188 of the Bob Thurman Podcast photo by Mathew Schwartz on Unsplash. Dale Borglum founded and directed the Hanuman Foundation Dying Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the first residential facility in the United States to support conscious dying. Executive Director of the Living/Dying Project in Santa Fe & in the San Francisco Bay Area, Dale is the co-author with Ram Dass, Daniel Goleman and Dwarka Bonner of Journey of Awakening: A Meditator’s Guidebook, and has taught meditation since 1974. Dale lectures and gives workshops on the topics of meditation, healing, spiritual support for those with life-threatening illness, and on caregiving as spiritual practice. He has a doctorate degree from Stanford University. Gary Gregory Gach is an author, translator, and editor living in San Francisco. A dynamic speaker and teacher in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh’s Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism his works include the anthology “What Book!? Buddha Poems from Beat to Hiphop” and the forthcoming “Pause Breathe Smile – Awakening Mindfulness When Meditation is Not Enough”. “Tibetan Book of the

In this archive recording from the Tibet House US class “Key Pali Suttas : Samanapala, Kevaddha Sutta, Tevijja Sutta, Agannya Sutta” Robert A.F. Thurman explores rebirth and reincarnation using the colorful Jataka Tales from the Buddha’s past lives provides an overview of the evolution of the notions of Karma, Dharma and community through history. Opening with a discussion of the work of sociologist Talcott Parsons, Robert A.F. Thurman illustrates how the Buddha’s early Pali Suttas (Samanapala, Kevaddha Sutta, Tevijja Sutta, and Agannya Sutta) were secular in nature offering practical insight and tools for seekers looking beyond traditional religion, ritual and superstition through kindness, fellowship and meditative wisdom. Includes: a recommendation of the work of Daniel Goldman, an explanation of the Buddha’s rebellion against religion through the redefining of Dharma and Karma within his mendicant community’s practices and an in-depth exploration of the logic of infinitely connected past and future lives through a close line translation of the ‘Samaññaphala Sutta: The Fruits of the Contemplative Life’ and Jataka Tales including the story of the rabbit and the moon. Key Pali Suttas : Samanapala, Kevaddha Sutta, Tevijja Sutta, Agannya Sutta Burmese Pali Manuscript Photo via Wellcome Collection. “Key Pali Suttas : Samanapala, Kevaddha Sutta, Tevijja Sutta, Agannya Sutta” is an excerpt the Force For Good : Buddhist Sources and Practices Beyond Religion. A Teacher’s Training Marathon recorded at Tibet House US in 2016. ‘A Force For Good’ is a Tibet House US course to further the Dalai Lama’s contemporary world initiatives, from His Holiness’ American Institute of Buddhist Studies and Mind & Life Institute science dialogues (Universe in a Single Atom) and His creation of Abhidharma 2.0 through the “Science for Monks” programs, his “secular ethics” (Ethics for the New Millennium and Beyond Religion), His nonviolent approach to conflict resolution, including His Nobel Peace Laureate activities to seek dialogue and a win-win reconciliation with China in the face of the ongoing ethnicidal policies in Tibet (

Exploring rebirth and reincarnation using the colorful Jataka Tales from the Buddha’s past lives Professor Thurman in this two part podcast provides listeners with an overview of the evolution of the notions of Karma, Dharma and community through history. Opening with a discussion of the work of sociologist Talcott Parsons, Robert A.F. Thurman illustrates how the Buddha’s early Pali Suttas (Samanapala, Kevaddha Sutta, Tevijja Sutta, and Agannya Sutta) were secular in nature offering practical insight and tools for seekers looking beyond traditional religion, ritual and superstition through kindness, fellowship and meditative wisdom. Podcast includes: a recommendation of the work of Daniel Goldman, an explanation of the Buddha’s rebellion against religion through the redefining of Dharma and Karma within his mendicant community’s practices and an in-depth exploration of the logic of infinitely connected past and future lives through a close line translation of the ‘Samaññaphala Sutta: The Fruits of the Contemplative Life’ and Jataka Tales including the story of the rabbit and the moon. Second half of podcast begins with a humorous presentation of the Buddha’s core teaching insights as demonstrated through the mischievous (yet traditional) teaching style of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in his public Dharma events over the years. Podcast concludes with a reading of the poetry of Naomi Shihab Nye by Gary Gach. Illustration: Yoshitoshi, Jade Rabbit: Sun Wukong from the series One Hundred Views of the Moon, 1889. Ronin Gallery. Listen to more archive recordings from from past Robert A.F. Thurman teachings + public events please consider becoming a Tibet House US member. To learn about the benefits of Tibet House US Membership please visit: www.tibethouse.us. Gary Gregory Gach is an author, translator, and editor living in San Francisco. A dynamic speaker and teacher in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh’s Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism his works include the anthology “What Book!? Buddha Poems from Beat to Hiphop” and the forthcoming “Pause Breathe Smile – Awakening Mindfulness When Meditation is Not Enough”.