Bob Thurman Podcast: Buddhas Have More Fun!

The Fantastical Beings and creatures contained within Buddhist Symbolism provide a rich tapestry upon which it’s teachings of Wisdom + Compassion create the foundation of inner + outer transformation. In this two part podcast Professor Thurman leads exploration of the language found in the Kalachakra initiation and practice sadhanas – using his close translation as a gateway to underst...

The Call for Cool Heroism. It’s vanguard of grandmothers, wives, mothers, sisters & daughters  are a modern day embodiment of the Buddha’s revolutionary, non-violent teachings of radical personal and social activism. In this two part podcast Robert A.F. Thurman gives an explanation of his concept of Inner Cool Revolutions , it’s relationship to Buddhist Education, Meditation,...

The Mandala is central to the visual language of Tibetan Buddhist culture and to the rich meditative traditions as taught by its Dalai Lamas , Yogis, Monks & Nuns.  In this two part podcast Robert AF Thurman gives an in depth teaching on the building of mandalas (both physically + conceptually) explaining some of the traditional methods, materials and reasoning behind their use as meditation m...

In this two part podcast Robert AF Thurman gives an overview of the Buddha’s enlightenment and Tibetan way of learning his mind transformation teachings as passed down through their Sanskrit translations. Using the films ‘Star Trek The Motion Picture’ + ‘The Matrix’ Professor Thurman demonstrates in the first half of the podcast science fiction’s ability in deve...

Beginning the podcast with a description of The Blue Beryl paintings Professor Thurman gives an introduction to the series of 77 Buddhist thangkas used as a memorization tool for traditional Tibetan doctors.  Commissioned by the 5th Dalai Lama ‘s Spiritual son Sangye Ghamtso (1645-1705), who founded Tibet’s first medical college and codified the country’s medical practices The Bl...

Answering questions about his early days Robert Thurman discusses his intellectual influences, his life long passion for Philosophy, the mendicant traditions his was drawn to and some of the life lessons learned from his three teachers: Geshe Ngawang Wangyal, Tenzin Gyatso the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet & his wife Nena Thurman. Includes a discussion of the ethical responsibility to one’s s...

From the ancient Pagan tradition of ritual bonfires to the broadcast of Yule logs on television every culture marks the Winter Solstice in diverse way. In this special two part Holiday podcast Robert A.F. Thurman shares the history of solstice + midwinter celebrations from a Buddhist perspective highlighting the commonalities across traditions. Professor Thurman begins the podcast with a meditatio...

From Silicon Valley to Lhasa, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama is one of the world’s most beloved figure Professor Thurman explains in this week’s podcast covering the Tibet House US “Man of Peace: Illustrated Life Story of Tibet’s Dalai Lama” Graphic Novel. The first part of the podcast details the origins of the “Man Of Peace” Graphic Novel, how it relat...

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...

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 empt...

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 emptin...

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...

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 infin...

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&...

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 illustrate...

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 A...

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 hi...

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 accoun...

In this podcast Professor Thurman discusses the modern relevance of the Buddha’s Enlightenment , the key place of wisdom in choosing meditation practices and the centrality of understanding emptiness as the logical gateway to selflessness , compassion & generosity. Using The Padmakara Group’s Translation of Shantideva’s ‘ Way of the Bodhisattva ‘ Fourth & Fift...

In this podcast Professor Thurman discusses the historical Buddha as an Inner Scientist applying the scientific method of inquiry in his exploration of inner & outer realities of the self and the world. Includes a guided selflessness meditation, an explanation of the concept of voidness and an in depth introduction to the Buddhist Inner Sciences. “It is not merely an impersonal biologica...

In this special podcast Professor Thurman is joined by Krishna Das, long time friend & co-teacher for an intimate dialog covering their shared histories, meeting their teachers, non-dualism, love and the interplay between Hinduism & Buddhism. Includes humorous stories by Krishna Das + Bob Thurman about Khunu Lama, Kalu Rinpoche, the 16th Karmapa, the Dalai Lama, Allan Ginsberg, Ram Das &am...

In this podcast Professor Thurman is joined by Foundation of the Sacred Stream’s Isa Gucciardi Ph. D. in exploring the symbolism used in traditional Buddhist Tara visualizations & in shamanistic practices . Includes a discussion of the use of sound, light, movement & dreams in rituals , an explanation of the practice of working with the unconscious and a short overview of the indigen...

Using Marilyn Waring’s book The Labor of Women: Counting For Nothing as a starting point, in this podcast Professor Thurman discusses the history of Labor Day, the need for a deeper appreciation of the role of women in society and how Feminists and their supporters can support the on-going efforts begun at the Washington DC Women’s March. Includes a deconstruction of the Radical Right&...

In this podcast Professor Thurman is joined by long time friend Sharon Salzberg for an intimate conversation on Buddhism , Meditation & teaching together at Menla Retreat in Upstate New York. Includes a discussion of their book ' Love Your Enemies : How to Break the Anger Habit & Be a Whole Lot Happier ' and their personal perspectives on using the mindfulness & loving-kindess techniqu...

In this extended podcast Professor Thurman begins with an explanation of the Four Noble Truths teaching & then details the systematic process of enlightenment as laid out by the historical Buddha known as the The Eightfold Path. The Eightfold path, breaks down into what’s known as the three educations. Of those three educations you have the ethical, the meditational & the intellectua...