Bob Thurman Podcast: Buddhas Have More Fun!

In this message celebrating the full moon day of celebration of the birth, enlightenment and passing of the historical Buddha , Professor Thurman gives an extended teaching on how Saka Dawa is celebrated by Tibetans across the world. Saka Dawa, named for the star, Vishakha, prominent during the fourth month in the Tibetan lunar calendar, is almost the same as the Theravadin observance of Vesak. It...

In this episode Robert Thurman gives an impassioned and direct call to action for Americans to immediately address the decades of school shootings and senseless gun violence happening across the country, highlighting the forces behind the political deadlock preventing sensible legislation as well as simple direct democratic ways of creating a safer and better future for those on both side of the d...

In this episode Robert A.F. Thurman gives a historical introduction to Buddhism, it’s creation, development and refinement in Tibet using the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment teachings and the text “Guru Puja,” or “The Devotion to the Mentor” by the Fourth Panchen Lama. Opening with a discussion of the nature of spiritual retreats, Thurman in this episode presents...

In this episode Robert Thurman leads a close line reading of the sixth chapter of “The Holy Teachings of Vimalakirti”, giving an all-levels teaching on the inconceivable nature of the Buddha’s enlightenment, Buddhist emptiness and the nature of love as taught throughout Buddhism. Using personal stories from his time teaching in academia and studying with His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, Thu...

In this episode Robert Thurman opens with a recitation from Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth” to set the stage for an impassioned discussion of the global climate crisis, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the recent horrendous direct action protest by Wynn Bruce in front of the the U.S. Supreme Court. Bob discusses the historical and philosophical context of the use of offering one’s body via fire to r...

In this episode Tibet House US | Menla President & Co-Founder Robert A.F. Thurman sits down for a heart-centered talk about Buddhist perspectives on the environment, Earth Day and the importance of rallying the modern environmental movement’s understanding of the too often overlooked crisis on the Tibetan plateau, the Hindu Kush, and the Himalayas, known as “the Third Pole,” due to...

In this extended episode, recorded at Menla during the online conference “The Art of Dying and Living: An Exploration of Life, Death, and the Afterlife”, Robert Thurman shares insights and lessons from his study of Buddhism and translation of the mis-titled “Tibetan Book of the Dead”. Joined by Eben Alexander, Sierra Campbell, Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, Deepak Chopra, Terri Daniel, Joan Halifax, Andrew...

In this episode Robert Thurman discusses the world premiere of the film “Never Forget Tibet: The Dalai Lama’s Untold Story”, happening worldwide March 31st, as well as the historical connections to the current Russian invasion of Ukraine. The feature-length documentary from Compassionate Films will celebrate its world premiere in partnership with Fathom Events on March 31 at 800 participating thea...

In this extended podcast Robert A.F. Thurman discusses the significance of March 10th in Tibetan history, it’s connections to the Ukraine and gives a teaching on the historical Buddha’s perspective on conflict and engaging in defensive wars. Opening with a deep dive into the historical context of the invasion of Tibet, Thurman details the mouse trap laid out by China in 1959 which led...

In this special episode, Robert Thurman pays tribute to the heroic citizens of Ukraine and their president Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the invasion and attempted occupation by Russia. Celebrating President Zelenskyy’s former career as a comedian, Robert Thurman makes a call to action for a world with more leaders with humor – and joy- based artistic and creative backgrounds, interconnecting r...

Recounting his early days studying with Geshe Ngawang Wangyal, Robert Thurman in this episode gives a teaching on practicing meditation and the Buddhist perspective on mindfulness through a close line reading of the The Mahāsatipatthāna Sutta. The four focuses of mindfulness in the sutta are the body, the sensations, the mind, and the mental objects, among which the last is the longest and most el...

Opening with a question by Traditional Tibetan medicine pioneer, author and fellow popularizer of the Buddhist inner and outer sciences, Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, Professor Thurman explores the delicate translation of mind science terminology and details the Five Aggregates as taught by the historical Buddha. This podcast includes a recommendation of the work and teachings of Dr. Nida, personal reflec...

In this episode Robert Thurman shares personal stories and a historical perspective on the life, work and writings of Thich Nhat Hanh. Opening with the Buddhist perspective on death and the bardo states outlined in the “The Tibetan Book of the Dead: The Great Book of Natural Liberation Through Understanding in the Between” this episode of the Bob Thurman podcast includes: a short histo...

In this episode Robert Thurman gives a teaching on impermanence and the power of contemplating one’s mortality to inspire action, nurture gratitude, transform relationships, and prioritize what truly matters. Opening with a refutation of Buddhism as a life-rejecting philosophy, this podcast includes a short explanation of the Buddha’s “supreme contemplation” with guided meditations on embracing tr...

In this episode Robert Thurman is joined by fellow Tibetan language translator, author, and inner-science adventurer, Dr. David Kittay for a conversation on bliss, everyday ethics, contemporary Buddhism, the Eightfold Path, and the Four Noble Truths. Opening with an introduction of Professor Kittay and his translation of The Vajra Rosary Tantra , Dr. Thurman uses his Wisdom Is Bliss: Four Friendly...

Sharing insights from his study of “The Flower Ornament Sutra” and his exploration of the Bhakti devotion tradition with Krishna Das, Robert Thurman gives a teaching on the value of generous, selfless intention when developing spiritual understanding and compassionate abilities using the body, breath, and mind through regular yoga study and practice. Opening with the Dalai Lama’s four aims in life...

Beginning this episode with a reading from “The Tibetan Book of the Dead: The Great Book of Natural Liberation Through Understanding in the Between” Professor Thurman uses his translation as a guide to the rich spiritual and emotional tools found in the end-of-life traditions of Asia and in the Vajrayana sciences and practices of India and Tibet. Podcast includes: an invocation of and teaching on...

Using the sixth and eighth chapters of Shantideva’s “A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life” as a guide Professor Thurman in this episode gives a teaching on the development of compassion and explores the interrelated history of Buddhism, Hinduism and of the Bhakti yogic wisdom traditions of India and the Himalayas. Recorded during the “ Devoted to Wisdom ” in...

In this episode Robert Thurman shares an inspirational message of gratitude, compassion and hope for listeners of all faiths, backgrounds, and situations. Opening with an introduction to the Bodhisattva’s Path, Professor Thurman gives an extended teaching on generosity using his book “Wisdom Is Bliss: Four Friendly Fun Facts That Can Change Your Life”, detailing its connection to...

Opening with a recommendation of “ Spiritual Practice for Crazy Times ” by Philip Goldberg, Robert Thurman in this episode sits down with its author for a far ranging discussion on Western Spirituality, Meditation, climate change, Paramahansa Yogananda, and Tibet’s Fourteenth Dalai Lama. In this episode Robert Thurman and Philip Goldberg share reflections on: the San Francisco Re...

In this heart centered conversation spanning from the remote Arctic communities of Norway to the compassionate wisdom contained in everyone, Robert Thurman is joined by author and explorer of inner and outer landscapes, Laura Galloway, to discuss the creative inspiration of interdependence found in nature, our world and in every day relationships. Opening with a recommendation of Laura’s boo...

Opening the imaginative gateways using the miss-titled “Tibetan Book of the Dead” as his guide, Robert Thurman in this episode gives a teaching on the Buddhist perspective on the origins of the universe, emptiness, and selflessness. Using stories from his time teaching at Columbia & Amherst Universities, and from his time studying with Geshe Wangyal, Tara Tulku, and His Holiness th...

In this episode Robert Thurman invites all sensitive beings to explore the Buddha’s discovery of the interrelated blissful nature of reality through a close line reading of The “Dharmacakrapravartana Sutra” or First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma. Podcast includes an in-depth exploration of the eight-fold fold path and four noble truths, an introduction to Professor Thurman&#8217...

Using “The Vimalakirti Sutra” as a guide Robert Thurman gives an introduction to the historical Buddha’s insight into the blissful nature of reality and to the practical tools of positive transformation found through out his teachings. “In this passionate, incisive, and often hilarious joyride of the mind and spirit, Thurman explores: mindful communities as “enlightenment factori...

Opening with a reading of the mind expanding descriptions of the multitude of Gods, Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Divine Creatures found in “The Vimalakirti Sutra”, Robert Thurman gives a concise teaching on the nature of Dharma as taught by Shakyamuni Buddha. “The Vimalakirti Sutra teaches a nondualistic wisdom and reconciliation of dichotomies. It challenges ordinariness and revea...