Bob Thurman Podcast: Buddhas Have More Fun!

Providing a history of Non-Violent & Violent Revolutions Robert AF Thurman discusses the Buddhist perspective on messianic millenarianism on the eve of Barrack Obama’s election as the 44th President of the United States. Using “A Beginner’s Guide to Changing the World” by Isabel Losada as a staring point Professor Thurman highlights the value of re-framing one’s understanding of the nature of revolutions + the fundamental nature of reality suggesting abandonment of the desire for external transformation as the only reasonable path to sustainable global change. This two part podcast includes an overview of the Dalai Lama‘s teachings on mind transformation through inner peace, his “Act of Truth”, Satyagraha and Professor Thurman’s “Inner Revolution: Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Real Happiness” Published by Riverhead Books & “Why the Dalai Lama Matters: His Act of Truth as the Solution for China, Tibet, and the World” available from Atria Books/Beyond Words. “Professor Thurman’s scholarly and popular writings focus on the “inner revolution” that individuals and societies successfully negotiate when they achieve enlightenment. He defines this inner revolution as accurate insight into the true nature of reality and determined compassion for the suffering beings. He also works toward what he terms a “Second Renaissance,” which he sees currently taking place as Western culture goes beyond the 14th century European discovery of the natural sciences of the ancient Greeks that catalyzed the “first renaissance” to discover and apply in practice the advanced “inner science” of ancient Indian culture. Credited with being at the forefront of making Tibetan art accessible and understandable in the West and, with distinguished art historians, he collaborated in curating several important traveling exhibitions, including “Wisdom and Compassion,” “Mandala,” and “Worlds of Transformation,” which set a standard in the art world.” From www.transcendentnation.org   This episode is an excerpt from the “How to Save the World” interview series, produced by the Transcendent Nation Foundation non-profit, which is exclusively available at www.enterthemandala.com. The primary aim of the Transcendent Nation Foundation is to promote the possibility of world peace by means of personal realization and holographic action. This is based on the simple idea that when a critical mass in the body of humanity awakens, the whole collective will be awakened. American Dream Photo by Lisa Norwood via www.flickr.com. To watch + listen to

Robert Thurman opens this two part podcast by comparing and contrasting expressions of nonduality and nirvana in Buddhist & Vedantist philosophies. Describing the modern consensus reality that assures individuals of their lack of post-death soul-continuation though secular educational indoctrination, Professor Thurman explains the need to explore the usefulness of the Buddhist teaching of emptiness in order to help people free themselves from the widespread blind faith in (pseudo-)”scientific” nihilism in regards to the ongoing life of the soul, or super-subtle mind-continuum. Includes a close reading of Nāgārjuna‘s “Jewel Garland of Royal Counsel”, a re-telling of a favorite story of the Buddha’s teaching of the gods and his subsequently divine mother residing in the “33 heaven,” and a warning about how a common misunderstanding of emptiness leads certain “guru” figures to lose their spiritual and ethical balance. Second part of this podcast opens with an explanation Vipassana Meditation & the method of Vedic analysis of negation Professor Thurman refers to as the “Neti Neti Processes”. Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash This podcast is an excerpt from “Non-duality in Buddhist & Vedantist Philosophy: Religion in the Modern World Inaugural Talk” given by Robert AF Thurman October 21st, 2017 hosted by the Vedanta Society of Berkeley in collaboration with the The Institute for South Asia Studies at UC Berkeley. “The Traditional Concept of Vedanta: Vedanta means the Upanishads, which form the end of the Vedas. Vedanta also refers to Vedanta Darshana, one of the six systems of Hindu philosophy based on Badarayana’s Brahma Sutras. Brahma-vidya, the sum total of all the truths and laws of the spiritual world, is revealed through the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and other scriptures.” From www.theberkeleyvedanta.org. The Vedanta Society of Berkeley traces its roots to a dedicated group of devotees, who were inspired by Swami Vivekananda’s evocative lectures during his visit to the Bay Area in 1900. Among the devotees, Sarah Fox, her sister Rebecca Fox and Frank Rhodehamel formed a regular Vedanta study and discussion group in Oakland under the tutelage of Cornelius Heijblon (later Swami Atulananda). This convivial, intellectual group was instrumental in propagating the Vedantic movement in the East Bay. To watch + listen to more recordings of past events with Robert AF Thurman 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. Full Access starts at $2 a month. The song ‘Dancing Ling’ by Tenzin Choegyal from the album ‘Heart Sutra‘ (2004) by

In this two part podcast Robert A.F. Thurman opens with an essential Dharma teaching in the form of Advice to Benefit Bad Gurus & Teachers and on the power of radical generosity & gratitude to transform relationships. Using the Zen Chan metaphor of the “Demon Ghost Cave” of a misunderstood enlightening experience, in which individuals—who absolutize a personal moment of emptiness (shūnyatā) as a state of disappearance—can become entrapped, by failing to understand that the voidness is void of itself, and so only guarantees the absolute relativity of themselves and all things, Professor Thurman explains how the Buddhist Centrist scientific philosophy can free the essentially psychotic, unenlightened person from suffering and the mental, verbal, and physical misbehavior that makes it worse. The second part of this podcast includes a discussion of the historical & philosophical context of the American Thanksgiving holiday, climate change, colonialism, sacred geometry, non-violent communication, the power of gratitude + generosity, industrial farming, vegetarian cooking & conflicts that often arise during family & community gatherings. Demon Ghost Cave Bob Thurman Podcast Photo by Tim Foster on Unsplash “Perception of faults in the guru should not cause us to feel disrespect, for by demonstrating faults to us the guru is actually showing us what we should abandon. At least, this is the most useful attitude for us to take. An important point here is that the disciple must have a spirit of sincere inquiry and must have clear, rather than blind, devotion. It is frequently said that the essence of the training in guru yoga is to cultivate the art of seeing everything the guru does as perfect. Personally I myself do not like this to be taken too far. Often we see written in the scriptures, “Every action seen as perfect.” However, this phrase must be seen in the light of Buddha Shakyamuni’s own words: “Accept my teachings only after examining them as an analyst buys gold. Accept nothing out of mere faith in me.” The problem with the practice of seeing everything the guru does as perfect is that it very easily turns to poison for both the guru and the disciple. Therefore, whenever I teach this practice, I always advocate that the tradition of “every action seen as perfect” not be stressed. Should the guru manifest un-Dharmic qualities or give teachings contradicting Dharma, the instruction on seeing the spiritual master as perfect must give way to reason and Dharma wisdom.” From The Path to Enlightenment by HH

Robert A.F. Thurman discusses Standing Rock to highlight the interconnection between Tibet + Indigenous Peoples across the planet and how both the environmental + opioid addiction crisis provide the unique opportunity for them to forge new ties and provide innovative solutions. Includes a discussion of Sogan Rinpoche and about the melting ice caps + snow throughout the Himalayan Plateau with ways people can support endangered ecosystems + cultures globally. Podcast concludes with a special expose & call to action for the American + British electorate about the Radical Libertarian special interest groups and individuals behind the election tampering + voter suppression during Brexit & the election of Donald J. Trump. Using wit, wisdom & compassion Professor Robert Thurman provides a clear explanation of how these Libertarian & Anarchist groups are different from Republican efforts & candidates in their intentions, stated or implied. “Tibet as Global Standing Rock” Thumbnail photo by David Breashears, courtesy of Glacier Works. “Whether we like it or not, we have been born on this earth as part of one great family. Rich or poor, educated or uneducated belonging to one nation, ideology or another, ultimately each of us just a human being like everyone else. Of course, this sort of compassion is by nature, peaceful and gentle, but it is also very powerful. It is the true sign of inner strength. We do not need to become religious, nor do we need to believe in an ideology. All that is necessary is for each of us to develop our good human qualities. We have to treat each major local problem as a global concern from the moment it begins. In the context of our new interdependence, considering the interests of others is clearly the best form of self-interest. Interdependence, of course, is a fundamental law of nature. Not only myriad forms of life, but the subtlest level of material phenomena, as well, is governed by interdependence. We need to appreciate this fact of nature far more than we have in the past. Our ignorance of it is directly responsible for many of the problems we face. For instance, tapping the limited resources of our world-particularly those of the developing nations -simply to fuel consumerism, is disastrous. If it continues unchecked, eventually we will all suffer. We must respect the delicate matrix of life and allow it to replenish itself.” Dalai Lama from www.dalailama.com . About GlacierWorks Founded by acclaimed mountaineer, photographer, and filmmaker David Breashears, GlacierWorks is a non-profit organization that vividly illustrates the changes to Himalayan glaciers through art, science, and adventure. Since 2007, GlacierWorks has undertaken twelve expeditions to document the current state of the glaciers, retracing the steps of pioneering mountain photographers in order to capture new images that precisely match the early photographic records. Over the past five years, they have recorded losses and changes to glaciers that are inaccessible to all but the most skilled climbers. To learn more about t

Exploring the history of the “Lam Rim: Stages of The Path” a collection of mind training teachings preserved in Tibet, Professor Thurman provides an introduction to these cherished practices as refined + passed down by Tsongkhapa & the Dalai Lama lineage. Podcast includes a discussion of Gendün Druppa the First Dalai Lama, the centrality of the awareness of the possibility of infinite past + future lives, The Three Kinds of Suffering as presented in Tsongkhapa’s Lam Rim teachings & how these teachings provide a systematized path to prepare one for the study of Buddhist Tantras. Concludes with a guided meditation on the exchange of Self + Other, Mother Kindness Recognition & the Causal Steps used in Tsongkhapa’s Lam Rim teachings. This podcast was recorded at the “Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Sources: Madhyamaka – Lam Rim” Session of the Force For Good Series at Tibet House US in 2016 in New York City. The oral teachings of the tradition coming from Atisha had been passed to Atisha’s chief disciple, the layman Dromtonpa. He in turn passed on the lineage and emphasized the need for a thorough comprehension of the meaning of the Buddha’s actual words in their entirety, not omitting even a single word or syllable. The Lam Rim Lineage was given to Gampopa and places reliance on Atisha’s Light on the Path to Enlightenment, The Guideline Instruction Lineage and Shantideva’s A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life, that Atisha had travelled to an island near Java in order to receive.” Robert AF Thurman from Life & Teachings of Tsongkhapa   To watch the full video recording of this & other Force For Good Teachings at Tibet House US please consider becoming a member. All past teachings from this on-going course are available as apart of the Tibet House US Member Archives. Full Access begins at $2 a month. To learn more about the benefits of Tibet House US Memberships please visit: 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 Studiesand 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

Using Tsong Khapa’s Tengyur text, Essence of True Eloquence Professor Robert Thurman discusses the Buddha’s central teachings & concepts as preparation for the 2014 Beacon Theater teachings given by the H.H. the Dalai Lama. Podcast includes a discussion of Robin Williams’ “What Dreams May Come” and an introduction to non-dualism found at the heart of all of the Buddha’s teachings: overtly or through implication. H. H. the Dalai Lama gave an historic discourse on Nov. 3 & 4 2014 in New York City at the request of Tibet House US on “Essence Of True Eloquence”, and the masterpiece text by Jey Lama Tsong Khapa (1357-1419) that is considered a classic presentation of the profound view of reality that is foundational for opening the floodgates of universal compassion. The text is known as the Essence Of True Eloquence: Distinguishing the Interpretable from the Definitive Meanings of the Buddha’s Sutra Discourses (Tibetan– Drang nges legs bshad snying po), which is lucid and detailed expansion of the Short Essence of True Eloquence, the poem Jey Tsong Khapa wrote on the morning of the dawning of his full enlightenment in 1398. From the course description listing: “We are offering a preparatory course which will go over some of the main points of the text, with a view to providing a basic familiarity with the territory of the realistic worldview—first branch of the eightfold path of the fourth noble truth—as understood and taught by the Indo-Tibetan Nagarjuna–Chandrakirti–Tsong Khapa–Dalai Lama tradition. The point of preparing for the Dalai Lama’s own discourse is to be familiar with the main concepts about and outlines of the most important insights, so that when His Holiness, the living transmitter of the authentic tradition, gives his discourse, the prepared recipient can listen with a better understanding. The essence of this realistic worldview is the nonduality of nirvana and samsara, wisdom and compassion, emptiness and relativity. As long as the slightest trace of separation of these two levels remains in one’s mind, wisdom of emptiness does not reach the ultimate depth, and great compassion cannot spring forth from the wholehearted commitment to the amelioration of the condition of suffering beings in the emptiness/relativity nondual reality of their world, blocked by some version of an escapist concept of some sort of absolute release. The text delves deeply into this essential focus, first briefly from the perspective of the seemingly dualistic Individual Vehicle Realist schools, then in more detail from that of the Idealist (“Mind-only”) schools, and then finally from the perspectives of the Dogmaticist (Svatantrika) and Dialecticist (Prasangika) Centrist (Madhyamika) schools. The course will proceed with lecture, Q & A, and some contemplative sessions, with a final day-long retreat on Oct. 11. Recommended reading for this course is in R. Thurman, Central Philosophy of Tibet, (Princeton paperback), especially the Introduction, but one can come to the course without having done so, as a summary pamphlet will be made available during the course. It is also recommended that one attend the entire course; but, space permitting, walk-in attendance might also be possible.” From www.tibethouse.us. “True Eloquence: Pretas, Puppies + Dreams” is an audio excerpt from the Tibet House US Member Archive Video “True Eloquence: Profound Wisdom + Vast Compassion Introduction with Robert AF ThurmanR

In this podcast Robert AF Thurman discusses the history of Nālandā & why the Dalai Lama of Tibet identifies Tibetan Buddhism as well as himself as heirs to the university whose ruins are located in modern-day Bihar, India. Founded under the patronage of the Gupta King Chandragupta II Vikramāditya in the 5th Century then Destroyed in 1203 by Turkish Muslim invaders, Professor Thurman illustrates how Nālandā University brought together the greatest minds of India, Persia, Indonesia, China & Tibet finding it’s highest expression in the seventeen greatest Pandits of Nālandā Monastery, whom the Dalai Lama celebrates in his famous eulogy. Podcast includes an overview of the most influential of the “Great Seventeen” Mahayana Buddhist yogi scientist sages (Nagarjuna, Aryadeva, Buddhapalita, Bhavaviveka, Chandrakirti, Shantideva, Shantarakshita, Kamalashila, Asanga, Vasubandhu, Dignaga, Dharmakirti, Arya Vimuktisena, Haribhadra, Gunaprabha, Shakyaprabha & Atisha) known for their middle-way centrist perspective & the popular Stages of the Path (lam-rim) teachings. “I am the longest guest of government of India for the last 58 years and am now paying back for that gesture by becoming the messenger of Indian culture. In fact, I consider myself a son of India. A few years ago, some Chinese reporters asked me why I identified myself as India’s son. I told them that my mind and each part of my brain are filled with the knowledge and thought of Nalanda. Besides, in last 50 years this body survived on Indian dal, chapati and rice. That is why both physically and spiritually, I am a son of India. Buddha himself stated my followers should not accept my teaching out of faith or out of devotion, but rather thorough investigation and experiment, the scientific way of approach. So all the Nalanda masters like Nagarjuna, Aryadeva, Asanga, Chandrakirti, all these great masters of Nalanda, even Buddha’s own words, they carry investigation whether Buddha’s statement is acceptable or not. So they are always based on logic and experiment so, therefore, I follow that pattern, tradition.” HH Dalai Lama from www.huffingtonpost.in. This podcast is an excerpt from “Why does the Dalai Lama say he is “Son of Nālandā”? a talk given in October 2017. Photo by Abhishek Sundaram via www.flickr.com.

Using Thomas Cleary’s translation of the “Flower Ornament Scripture: The Avatamsaka Sutra”  & Wilhelm Reich’s “The Function of the Orgasm: Discovery of the Orgone” Professor Thurman discusses the place of reincarnated Tibetan Tulkus within the Buddha’s teaching of the Three Bodies. “Being a Buddha is the juiciest experience possible. Robert AF Thurman Defining Buddha-hood as as permanent orgasmic state Professor Thurman explains the need for a vivid imagination when understanding the wisdom contained in Buddhist visualization practices focused on transforming the subtle energies of the body & mind. This podcast is an excerpt from the 2017 “Tibetan Secrets of Longevity Retreat” with Dr Nida Chenagtsang & Robert Thurman recorded at Menla in Phoenicia, New York. To listen to more recordings from past programs with Robert AF Thurman at Tibet House US in New York City + Menla in Phoenicia, New York in the Catskills please consider becoming a Tibet House US Member. 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. Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash

In this podcast Professor Thurman discusses the concept of the Wheel of Dharma and the historical Buddha's role as the founder of a world philosophy within the complex religious landscape of India at the time of his teaching. Opening with a humorous story on the Buddha's view on Theism including his meeting with Brahma & other Gods at the time of his Enlightenment, podcast provides an early history of the establishment of the Buddhist Monastic community & the reluctant acceptance of women within the Sangha. Concludes with an overview of the Buddha's core discovery of the nature of reality as Bliss & his radical statement declaring the potential of all beings to end suffering through wisdom & compassion as he did. Wheel of Dharma & Buddhism as Philosophy : Buddhist History 101 - Ep. 138 of the Bob Thurman Podcast Photo by Amaryllis Liampoti on Unsplash. This podcast is apart of the Buddhist History 101 Series presenting seminal teachings drawn from archives of Robert A.F. Thurman & Tibet House US & is intended for those looking to deepen their historical understanding of Buddhism from a general perspective. "Lectures can be liberating!" Robert A.F. Thurman 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. 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.

Opening this podcast Professor Thurman lays out the history of the Three Vehicles of Buddhism comparing + contrasting the Individual (Hinayana), Universal (Mahayana), & Vajra vehicles or traditions, tracing their origins, spread across Asia & modern manifestations. Podcast concludes with a detailed telling of the Buddha’s birth, early life & process of enlightenment from various accounts. In regard to the founding of the fourfold community, the Sangha, he says: “It was as if the Buddha created holes in the cheese of society- he “Swiss-chessed’ the society. And the holes were the Sangha, the community, the renunciate institution, where people would go for lifelong free lunch. Around four hundred years after the Buddha had left his body, the Sangha institution had produced many, many free people. And these free people, in a social feedback loop, had begun to make possible more freedom for the lay people as well as the monastics. So, the Sangha institution could intervene more actively in society, in the routine lives of Indians. At that point, the less individualistic and more social teachings, which the Buddha had quietly planted earlier with a few disciples, became more useful, and people began to spread them as a kind of social gospel— called the Mahayana, the universal vehicle, or the vehicle of society. Those monastic institutions began to reach out and actually change the routine way of living in society. They unfolded the social dimension of the Buddha’s teaching and began to change the social ethic of India.” Robert A.F. Thurman This podcast is apart of the Buddhist History 101 Series presenting seminal teachings drawn from archives of Robert A.F. Thurman & Tibet House US & is intended for those looking to deepen their historical understanding of Buddhism from a general perspective. Photo by Christopher Burns on Unsplash