In this podcast Professor Thurman discusses the role of the Buddha, Einstein & Wittgenstein in modern philosophic perspectives & scientific methods.  Using humorous stories & close translation of Tibetan Buddhist texts Robert Thurman discusses the impossibility of objective reality, and the influential role of the subject in a relational object’s status. Continues with a discussion of why this is key to the path of transcendence in Universal Vehicle Buddhism (Mahayana). This episode is an excerpt from Professor Thurman’s Winter 2015 lecture series at Tibet House US — titled “Essential Tibetan Buddhism & its Context in Tibet and the World.” It is a continuation from last week’s episode, titled “The Buddha, Einstein and Wittgenstein.”

Professor Thurman, a distinguished scholar of Buddhist philosophy and theories of relativity, dives into the fascinating connections between the insights of the Buddha, Einstein, and Wittgenstein. He discusses the instability of perception and reality, challenging our understanding of matter. The conversation explores how yoga principles can enhance scientific thinking and emphasizes the importance of interconnectedness in shaping our existence. Thurman also highlights the balance of generosity and enlightenment as a transformative practice.

Professor Thurman, a renowned expert in Buddhist philosophy and personal development, delves into the teachings of Nāgārjuna. He explores how skillful actions shape personal evolution, intertwining biology and ethics with mindfulness. The discussion highlights the crucial role of ethical living and thoughts in refining one's karma, and the unique Buddhist perspective on selfhood versus Western morality. Thurman critiques the application of universal human rights and invites listeners to reflect on the true nature of ethics and interconnectedness.

In this podcast Professor Thurman discusses the Buddhist Twelve Links of Relativistic Origination it’s perspectives on Bliss, Causation, Theism, Kingship, Ignorance, Emptiness & nirvana. Includes an introduction to David B. Gray’s Translation of “The Cakrasamvara Tantra (The Discourse of Sri Heruka) Śrīherukābhidhāna: A Study and Annotated Translation” Published by American Institute of Buddhist Studies, dialog with trip participants and an elaboration of the Buddhist concept of Bliss and it’s connection to the Clear light of the void. Podcast concludes with a cautionary tale about the way in which people resist the notion of infinite relativistic bliss in favor of accepted creation & destination theories and falling into a Psychotic Nirvana or what the Hindu Yoga Tradition terms Nirvikalpa Samadhi. This podcast was recorded during the 2014 GeoEx Adventure Travel Trip with Robert A.F. Thurman “Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon” and is apart of the Tibet House US Member Archive. Photo by Benny Jackson on Unsplash.

In this podcast Professor Thurman examines the modern scientific perspective on reincarnation (the Buddhist Belief in Past & Future Life), the work of Hermann von Helmholtz on the vital principle and their context within Western religious doctrine. Analyzing the idea of non-existence after death and prior to conception, Robert A.F. Thurman discusses the requirement to re-calibrate one’s understanding of life in order for the mind training practices of the Buddha to become useful.Buddhism 101: Buddhist Belief in Past & Future Life Photo by Filip Wolak via Flickr. Recorded in Ladakh during Robert Thurman’s 2014 Kalachakra Trip with GeoEx Adventure Travel & is apart of the ‘Buddhism 101’ Series using classic teachings from Robert A.F. Thurman to elucidate basic concepts of the tradition. Buddhism 101: Buddhist Belief in Past & Future 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.

In the debut episode of the Bob Thurman Podcast Professor Thurman talks about his formative years & his own introduction to Buddhism. Includes personal stories about meeting Geshe Ngawang Wangyal a Kalmyk-Mongolian lama at his Tibetan Buddhist Learning Center Labsum Shedrub Ling in Central New Jersey in the 1960's. Recorded at the 2014 Translation & Transmission Conference hosted by the Tsadra Foundation in Keystone, Colorado. In 2014 Tsadra Foundation launched a series of large-scale conferences in order to provide an international forum for sustained dialogue and the sharing of ideas and experiences for translators of Tibetan texts, as well as for collective reflection on the larger cultural and societal dimensions of the transmission of Tibetan Buddhism to the contemporary sphere. To listen to the entire talk please visit: www.tsadra.org Bob Thurman Podcast Debut : My Early Years Episode One Photo of Geshe Wangyal at Columbia University.