Bob Thurman Podcast: Buddhas Have More Fun!

Reincarnation as Buddha taught it to his community of mendicants suggests that everyone has at some time or another been born in every conceivable species, race, gender, or class. Professor Thurman opens this two part podcast discussing the Buddhist perspective on reincarnation and how the on rigid barriers such, caste, race, sex or class tend to be eroded through the acceptance of karmic biology. Examining bias + racism on a personal level, Robert A.F. Thurman shares insights learned from the teachings of Jey Tsongkhapa, His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet and his life long study of Buddhism and the Buddhist Inner Sciences. The second half of this week’s podcast is an in-depth guided Nine Fold Breath Meditation from the Yuthok Tradtion as taught by Dr. Nida Chenagtsang. This week’s episode’s of the Bob Thurman Podcast was thanks to Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, New York & brought to you in part through the support of the Tibet House US Membership Community. Bias, Racism + Buddhism Photo by Ryan McGuire, All Rights Reserved. To listen to the full Nine (9) Fold Breath Meditation by Robert A.F. Thurman excerpted in the second half of this week’s podcast please visit: www.bobthruman.com. Bias, Racism + Buddhism – Ep. 173 of the Bob Thurman Podcast is apart the Practicing Buddhism Series.  

In this two part podcast Professor Thurman is joined by Richard Freeman, John Campbell + Mary Taylor for a discussion of the connections between the Buddhist Inner Sciences + the Vedic Yoga Traditions and how the two streams of self-transformation when practiced together can positively affect our relationships, communities and the wider world in unexpected ways. Sharing the spiritual history of the International Pathwork Foundation’s Phoenicia, New York property before it was donated to Tibet House US to become Menla Retreat, Robert A.F. Thurman reflects on the work of Eva Pierrakos + The Guide contextualizing it within a Yoga or Yogic perspective. First half of podcast includes a discussion of breathing meditation practices, the subtle body, the place (and value) of secrecy in initiatory traditions and how an understanding of emptiness and the interrelated nature of reality can make one feel responsible for the world we construct everyday through the use of our imagination enough to take compassionate, wise action. Podcast concludes with an in-depth teaching on Vinyasa, Buddhist Vajra breathing and on the Twenty One Taras mantra practice. Body as Holy Grail : Yoga, Breath + Imagination Photo by Fares Nimri on Unsplash This podcast was recorded at Menla’s Nalanada Conference Center in Phoenicia, New York during the 2016 ‘Buddha & The Yogis’ Retreat with Richard Freeman, Mary Taylor, John Campbell + Robert A.F. Thurman. Learn more about the connections between practical yoga, daily meditation & esoteric study at this year’s ‘Buddha & The Yogis: The Divine Feminine Retreat with Mary Taylor, Richard Freeman & Robert Thurman please visit: www.menla.us. This week’s episode’s of the Bob Thurman Podcast was thanks to Richard Freeman + Mary Taylor and 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. Body as Holy Grail : Yoga, Breath + Imagination is an excerpt from the archive recordings from the Tibet House US retreat “Buddha & the Yogis” with Richard Freeman, Mary Taylor, John Campbell and Robert A.F. Thurman recorded at Menla’s Nalanda Conference Center in Phoenicia, New York, Summer 2017. Listen to more archive recordings from from past Robert AF Thurman teachings + public events please consider becoming a Tibet House US member. To learn about the benefits of Ti

In this two part podcast Robert A.F. Thurman gives an unique presentation of “Three Principles of the Path” to the annual “Buddha and The Yogis” gathering of yoga practitioners held at Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, New York. Professor Thurman elucidates in clear and readily accessible terms to those unfamiliar with Buddhism the “Lam Rim: Stages of The Path” a streamlining of mind transformation teachings created in Tibet by Jey Tsongkhapa (1357–1419), focusing on his “Three Principles of The Path” poem, which is known as the quintessence of the longer teaching. Providing a concise introduction to the Buddhist path, Robert Thurman begins this fast moving teaching by defining what Buddhism is and how it’s mind-tranforming philosophy based on the inner sciences is thought of as religious by those not engaging in its practice. The first half of this podcast includes: a discussion of the concept of a Bodhisattva, it’s relationship to tantra, yoga, how the desire for freedom from suffering when coupled with altruistic intention and an understanding of emptiness is the essence of the Buddhist path, a re-telling of a humorous story of the walking stick from Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden” and a non-dual perspective on Nirvana. This week’s podcast’s second half concludes with an in-depth teaching on causation, karma and reincarnation and how they relate to an understanding of the Nirvanic nature of reality of a Realistic world view as taught as the first branch of the Buddha’s Noble Eight Fold Path. This week’s episode’s of the Bob Thurman Podcast was thanks to Richard Freeman + Mary Taylor and 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. “Principles of the Path : On + Off The Yoga Mat” is an excerpt from the archive recordings from the Tibet House US retreat “Buddha & the Yogis: the Divine Feminine” with Richard Freeman, Mary Taylor and Robert AF Thurman recorded at Menla’s Nalanda Conference Center in Phoenicia, New York, Summer 2017. Listen to more archive recordings from from past Robert AF 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. Previews are available on the Tibet House US YouTube Channel + Full Archive Recordings from the 2016 + 2017 Annual Retreat at Menla in the THUS Member Archives. Tibet House US Member Access starts at $2 a Month. The song ‘Dancing Ling’ + ‘Trance Tibet’ 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. To learn more about upcoming programs in the heart of the Catskills

Dr. Mark Epstein M.D. and Robert A.F. Thurman, in this two part podcast discuss the Buddhist & Alcoholics Anonymous perspectives on addiction, depression, and recovery using the teachings of Shantideva and Winnicott to highlight common strategies and illustrate how the two can help one change one’s relationship to any source of suffering, internal or external. Professor Thurman begins this podcast with a rare explanation of the Heart Sutra focusing on the the dialog between Shāriputra and Avalokiteśvara in the Buddha’s samadhi field, and it’s connection to Clear Light, Bliss, Relativity and how one can avoid absolutism when thinking about emptiness. Second half of the podcast concludes with a special teaching to the retreat participants on how to take the lessons of the annual program at Menla Retreat + Dewa Spa into their everyday lives. “Managing Misery : A.A., Shantideva + The Heart Sutra – Ep. 173″ of the Bob Thurman Podcast” is apart of the Buddhism 101 series using classic teachings from the archives of Robert A.F. Thurman to elucidate basic concepts of the tradition. This week’s episode’s of the Bob Thurman Podcast was thanks to Omega Institute & 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. This podcast is a continuation of the teachings from Alcoholics Anonymous, Buddhism + Powerlessness – Episode 161 of the Bob Thurman Podcast and are excerpted from the archive recordings from the Tibet House US retreat “Addiction, Depression & Recovery: Buddhist Psychological Insights for Mental & Spiritual Health in the Modern World Retreat” with Robert A.F. Thurman & Mark Epstein M.D., recorded at Menla’s Nalanda Conference Center in Phoenicia, New York, Summer 2017. Managing Misery : A.A., Shantideva + The Heart Sutra Photo by Ryan McGuire, All Rights Reserved.

In this two part podcast Robert A.F. Thurman takes some time to bring his students, friends and podcast subscribers up to date on his recent activities, the on going work of Tibet House US, Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa and shares ways each of us can begin to return the kindness of His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet. Recorded at his home in the Catskill Mountains this week’s podcast begins with a discussion of the Buddhist mendicant tradition, the wide variety of teachings and initiatives of the Dalai Lama intended for secular people and Professor Thurman’s personal and academic insights on daily sitting meditation practice, mindfulness skills training and the mindfulness revolution. Podcast includes a short discussion of Andy Puddicombe‘s Headspace and other digital mindfulness mobile applications. Second half of this week’s podcast concludes with a special teaching and personal message on the recent summit between the United States and North Korea, death, dying and a non-dual Buddhist perspective on suicide. This week’s episode of the Bob Thurman Podcast was thanks to Omega Institute & brought to you in part through the support of the Tibet House US Membership Community and Menla Retreat + Dewa Spa. “Remembering Those Who Struggle with Wisdom + Compassion” Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. The Lifeline is comprised of a national network of over 160 local crisis centers, combining custom local care and resources with national standards and best practices. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal ideation or depression please visit: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org or call 1-800-273-8255. The songs ‘Dancing Ling’ and ‘Trance Tibet” 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. For full archive recordings from from past Robert A.F. Thurman teachings + public events please consider becoming a Tibet House US member and subscribe to the THUS YouTube Channel. To learn about the benefits of Tibet House US Membership please visit: www.tibethouse.us. Full access begins at $2 a month

The Buddha is said to have given 84,000 distinct teachings to groups, individuals and super beings such as gods, demons and the spirits of those lost between the bardos of life, death and dreaming during his 45 years of teaching  In this week’s podcast Robert A.F. Thurman leads a close translation of The Jewel Rosary (Ratnāvalī aka Precious Garland) and in his trademark style makes the 3rd Century B.C.E. advice to the Indian King Udayibhadra come alive for today’s interconnected, global village. Opening this two part podcast with stories about Tibet’s Geshe Ben Gungyal, Professor Thurman gives short introductions to the ethics of Buddhism, the history of mindfulness skills training and the sources of bias found in the understanding and presentation of Mahayana Buddhist teachings. The second half of this week’s podcast Robert A.F. Thurman defines the five mental aggregates or body mind processes during a guided meditation and leads an exploration of non-dualism and it’s relationship to the Buddha’s teachings on ethics, emptiness, compassion and his discovery of the blissful nature of reality. Podcast concludes with a discussion of the transcendent virtues, especially upāya (Skillful Means or Liberative Art), the seventh, as presented in the Mahayana sūtras and in the writings of Nāgārjuna. This week’s episode’s of the Bob Thurman Podcast was thanks to Omega Institute & brought to you in part through the support of the Tibet House US Membership Community. Buddhist Advice for Kings, Rulers + Oligarchs is an excerpt from the Force For Good Class “Buddhist Ethics and the World Crisis: Counsel for Kings (Ratnavali) The Ethics of Cool Revolution” held at Tibet House US in New York City April 2018. ‘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

In this two part podcast Professor Thurman discusses the Galenic, Chinese, and Ayurvedic methodologies found in Traditional Himalayan Medicine or Sowa Rigpa’s “Science of Healing” detailing the powerful diagnostic tools of urine analysis, pulse reading and dialog between doctor and patient which have proven to prevent illness, cure illness, extend life, and cultivate happiness. Using the visual medical thankgas depicting the “Four Medical Tantras” (Tib. རྒྱུད་བཞི་ “gyüd zhi”): the Root Tantra, the Explanatory Tantra, the Oral Transmission Tantra, and the Final Tantra) Robert A.F. Thurman begins this week’s podcast with stories from his early days studying with Yeshe Dhondon, the Dalai Lama‘s personal physician and founder of the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute (Men–Tsee–Khang) in Dharamshala, India, giving an explanation of the Tibetan phrase “Raising the Banner of Victory on the Mountain Peak” used by Sowa Rigpa practitioners before elaborating the framework and concepts found in the analytic Buddhist sciences preserved in Tibet. This Tibetan Medicine 101 podcast on Traditional Himalayan Medicine’s Subtle Anatomy system includes in-depth explanations of: the Five Internal Elements (Space, Wind, Fire, Water and Earth), The Five External Elements (Wood, Fire, Metal, Water and Earth), The Three Humors (Wind/Loong, Bile/ Tripa and Phlegm/ Beken), The Five Chakras,The Three Channels and overall cosmology used in Sowa Rigpa and in Buddhist Philosophy. To view images of the Blue Beryl Medical paintings please visit: www.himalayanart.org. “Tibetan Medicine 101 : Medicine Buddha : Raising The Banner of Victory on The Mountain Peak – Ep. 170″ of the Bob Thurman Podcast is an excerpt from the Force For Good Class “Medicine Buddha: Buddhist Inner Sciences” held at Tibet House US in New York City on November 29, 2017. “Materialist science is imprisoned by a philosophical mix-up. Scientists need to set themselves free by learning from the great scientists of India and Tibet how to own up to the fact that they are beings who have minds, spirits, and even souls- not as some sort of mystical entities, but as rationally explorable and experimentally understandable processes. These processes are extremely subtle, and to learn about them, understand them, and so master them requires a new kind of advanced educational and training of one’s own emotional, intellectual, and mental abilities.”   Robert A.F. Thurman Tibetan Book of Health: Sowa Rigpa, The Science of Healing

Traditional Himalayan Medicine or Sowa Rigpa with it’s integration of Galenic, Chinese, and Ayurvedic systems of healing is one of the crown jewels of Tibetan Buddhist Culture with the most potential to help individuals, communities and the global community in a sustainable and long lasting manner. In this two part podcast Robert A.F. Thurman introduces the Medicine Buddha myth, the role of Buddhist Medicine within Indian + Tibetan History and gives an in-depth explanation of the symbolism of it’s meditative iconography, including the three types of myrobalan plant found in the Medicine Buddha’s bowl. Podcast Includes stories about Professor Thurman’s early days as studying Tibetan Medicine, Jivaka Komarabhacca, the Buddha’s personal physician and the community’s doctor and an introduction to the different styles and forms of Medicine Buddha practices used in the Yuthok tradition. Second half of podcast begins with a guided Medicine Buddha meditation and concludes with a special teaching to doctors, health practitioners or anyone hoping to transform, rejuvenate, and improve their relationship to their body. “Tibetan Medicine 101 : Medicine Buddha : From Myth to Myrobalan – Ep. 169″ of the Bob Thurman Podcast is an excerpt from the Force For Good Class “Medicine Buddha: Buddhist Inner Sciences” held at Tibet House US in New York City on November 29, 2017. “It is the gift of scientifically as well spiritually enlightened healers, who not only understand what ails us but also know how to help us understand ourselves and become more conscious about our own health and how to sustain it. First priority for the enlightened healers is awakening us patients to the way our own body-mind complex works in terms we can easily understand. The whole point is to expand our vision of ourselves as beings in a nature that is luckily more beneficial than harmful, especially if we understand how it works.”   Robert A.F. Thurman Tibetan Book of Health: Sowa Rigpa, The Science of Healing     ‘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

Opening this week’s podcast with a discussion of mindfulness of the breath as it relates to the practice to reciting mantras Professor Thurman gives instructions from the Zen Buddhist tradition before introducing the root text from the 2017 Force For Good Class Series: Dr. Bo Jiang’s translation of Bodhisattva Maitreya’s “The Sublime Continuum Super-Commentary with the Sublime Continuum Treatise Commentary” published by AIBS, Tibet House US and Columbia University Press. In this two part podcast Robert A.F. Thurman provides a quick fire summary of the historical Buddha’s core teaching of The Four Noble Truths, an introduction to Buddhism’s messianic figure of Maitreya, the future Buddha before going on a deep dive into the history of the 4th Century Indian Author Asanga and his brother Vasubandhu, co-founders of the Yogacara school of philosophy and a humorous perspective of the film “Death Becomes Her”. Podcast concludes a re-telling of the story of Asanga and the Dog, an in depth discussion of the Three Jewels of Buddhism (The Buddha, His Teachings and the Community of practitioners of his philosophy known formally as The Sangha) their relationship to mindful bliss, clear light, the subtle body and the death process. Buddha’s Mindful Bliss + The Sublime Continuum – Episode #168 of the Bob Thurman Podcast Photo of Hotei Buddha with Asanga and Vasubandhu by Ryan via www.flickr.com. This talk was recorded during the “The Buddha Soul, Nature, Essence, Element, or Womb” Force For Good Class at Tibet House US in New York City, October 2017 with Robert A.F. Thurman & is apart of the THUS Member Archive. “The Dharma doesn’t Belong To Buddhism.” H.H. Dalai Lama To watch the full recordings from this + other past events please consider becoming a Tibet House US member. Learn about joining the Tibet House US Membership Community with a monthly tax-deductible donation by visiting: www.tibethouse.us. ‘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” (

Buddhism is the collection of teachings, traditions and religions based upon the mind training philosophy as presented by Prince Siddhartha to his community of mendicants, householders and followers over 2500 years ago. Learning it’s history and the practices of meditation passed down through the generations is not as intimidating as it might sound when one is able to ask questions directly of a qualified and fun loving teacher. In this two part podcast Professor Robert A.F. Thurman responds to a series of questions from his long time friend, translator and student of Geshe Wangyal Dr. Alexander Berzin. Podcast begins by addressing several questions on the topic of Anger and the Buddhist perspective on dealing with and eventually embracing and loving one’s enemies. Professor Thurman discusses his personal experiences on the deceptive nature of the emotion, how it relates to the Christian notion of The Seven Deadly Sins as laid out in his book “Anger“, to the Buddha’s Middle Way and to the Centralist Philosophy of Je Tsongkhapa. This Question and Answers podcast concludes with a frank discussion of the place of celebrity in modern Buddhism, it’s role in it’s early history, including during the Buddha’s life, the importance of Tibet’s Dalai Lama and of preserving Tibetan Buddhist Culture. Questioning Buddhism : Angry or Fierce Buddhas – Episode #167 of the Bob Thurman Podcast Fierce Buddha Photo of Vajrayogini via Flickr.com. To watch the full video versions of these questions from Dr. Alexander Berzin please visit: www.studybuddhism.com. This podcast is apart of the on going series “Questioning Buddhism” in which Robert A.F. Thurman answers questions from those looking to learn more about the Buddha, his teachings and the history of those people, countries and cultures influenced by his ideas. To submit your questions to be answered in future podcasts please visit: www.bobthurman.com.