Bob Thurman Podcast: Buddhas Have More Fun!

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.

Studying Buddhism for personal transformation or to further one’s education in an academic setting is a much richer experience when one is able to ask questions directly. 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 includes a discussion of the value of studying Buddhism, the differences between learning in a general or monastic setting and an in-depth examination of the role of the supportive social structures found in Asian countries where Buddhism is practiced as a religion and the challenges Western students encounter. This Question and Answers podcast concludes with with a discussion of nirvana, emptiness, clear light and the centrality of bliss, happiness and selflessness in the Buddha’s perspective of an infinitely relational universe. Questioning Buddhism : With Robes and Without Robes – Bob Thurman Podcast Episode #166 Photo by Wonderlane. 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 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.  

Recorded on Earth Day 2018 Professor Thurman opens this two part podcast with an invitation to the Dewa Spa at Menla Retreat providing a translation of the word dewa, a history of the Tibet House US property in Phoenicia, New York and a teaching on his personal inspiration found in the life and wisdom of the Buddha. Citing the Buddha’s scientific prediction of the infinite divisibility of matter, the inevitability of causal processes and his development of a theory of biological evolution which includes three genes (the two of the body and another of the super-subtle mind or spirit) as the wellspring of inspiration Robert AF Thurman discusses the importance of Himalayan and Buddhist Medicine found in Tibet in his personal studies, to the mission of the Dalai Lama’s cultural center and to the modern world. Podcast includes a discussion of the symbolism of the Buddha’s Earth Touching Gesture made under the Bodhi Tree, the story of the Devil Mara, a history of Menla’s Panther Mountain, Wakanda and how Tibetan Medicine is interconnected with Ancient Galenic, Chinese, and Ayurvedic systems of healing. Second half of podcast is a traditional Dharma teaching on the Buddha’s physics of emptiness and how his understanding of the unconscious more than 2500 years ago can help anyone suffering find an escape from the prison of materialism. Photo of Dalai Lama, Robert Thurman, Thubten Jimpa and the Tibet House US Board in the Menla Retreat Snow Lion Living Room for Dewa, Emptiness + The Buddha’s Inspiration Episode via www.menla.us. To 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. Full access begins at $2 a month. 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. To learn about upcoming Tibet House US trips Robert Thurman + GeoEx please visit: www.bobthurman.com.

In this two part podcast Robert A.F. Thurman leads a live translation of “The Samaññaphala Sutta : The Fruit of the Homeless Life” providing the back-stories of the historical figures found in the sutra in order to elucidate the ethical and scientific insights of the Buddha’s teachings on the value of the contemplative life. Using this beloved + often referenced sutra in which King Ajatasattu of the Magadha Kingdom questions the Buddha on the benefits of the spiritual life Professor Thurman explains the abundant selection of ascetic practices on offer from the various schools of philosophy at the time and how these ideas can help any spiritual seeker, Buddhist or not. Podcast Includes stories about the Buddha’s closest associates including: Jivaka Komarabhacca, his personal physician and the community’s doctor, his cousins Devadatta (who led the assassination by elephant attempt on his life) and Ananda his close friend, personal attendant and eventual inheritor of the reigns of leadership of the monastic community after his death + parinirvana. Second half of the podcast begins with a definition of the terms Shramana (Skt. śramaṇa; Tib. དགེ་སྦྱོང་, gejong, Wyl. dge sbyong), Bhagavan (Skt. bhagavant; Tib. བཅོམ་ལྡན་འདས་, chomdendé; Wyl. bcom ldan ‘das) and a discussion on the secular nature of Buddha’s advice found within “The Samaññaphala Sutta”. “Buddha’s Entourage: Ananda, Jivaka and Devadatta” is an excerpt from the Force For Good Class “The Samaññaphala Sutta : The Fruits of the Homeless Life” held at Tibet House US in New York City Winter 2016. ‘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 Beyond Religion), His nonviolent approach to conflict resolution, including His Nobel Peace Laureate activities to seek dialogue and a win-win reconciliation with China in the face of the ongoing ethnicidal policies in Tibet (Freedom in Exile and Man of Peace: The Illustrated Life Story of Tibet’s Dalai Lama) & along with his emphasis on positive activism (A New Real

Guiding a meditation and a traditional Dharma teaching from “the happiest place on earth” Professor Thurman begins this two part podcast discussing the Buddha’s insight into the psychosis at the heart the suffering of individuals, groups and in society as a whole. Recounting the Dalai Lama‘s teaching on his personal experiences with the ethics of showing compassion for mosquitoes given to a panel of scientists Professor Thurman humorously elucidates the concept of Abhidharma– the categories of Buddhist scriptures, ontology and theories of consciousness within the framework of the theory of spiritual salvation. Second part of this podcast includes an extended guided meditation on compassion recorded outdoors surrounded by Bhutan’s unique audio soundscape of birds, wind and dynamic citizens. This podcast was recorded during the Tibet House US + GeoEx Trip lead by Robert AF Thurman and Brent Olsen to Bhutan in January, 2012. “Pilgrimage : Psychosis, Mosquitoes + Compassion – Ep. 163 of the Bob Thurman Podcast” is apart of the “Buddhist Pilgrimage Series” using field recordings of Robert AF Thurman and friends from his global docent tours benefiting the work of Tibet House US. To 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. “Pilgrimage : Psychosis, Mosquitoes + Compassion – Ep. 163 of the Bob Thurman Podcast” Photo by Christopher Michel, Used with permission. 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. To learn about upcoming Tibet House US trips Robert Thurman + GeoEx please visit: www.bobthurman.com.

Teaching from the pilgrimage sites in Bodhgaya Professor Thurman opens this podcast with a discussion of how the Buddha redefined the concept of truth and how modern language about Buddhism is influenced by it’s early translation by scholars attempting to frame it’s philosophy of mind training into Western religious equivalencies. Guiding a close reading of Shantideva‘s “Guide to the Bodhisatva’s Way of Life” and the Centrist Commentaries on the Kalachakra tantra Robert AF Thurman in this two part podcast discusses how an understanding of non-dualism and emptiness can form the basis for deepening one’s wisdom and compassion. Podcast includes a discussion of apperception, Vipassana (Insight Meditation), Shamatha (Calm Abiding Meditation), James Cameron’s “Avatar,” Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden”, the Buddhist understanding of yoga and concludes with a thought experiment on the causal narratives and habitual stories that contribute to suffering and unskillful behavior. This podcast was recorded during the Tibet House US + GeoEx Trip lead by Robert AF Thurman to the 34th Kalachakra Empowerment with the Dalai Lama in Bodhgaya, Bihar, India in January, 2017. “Pilgrimage : Deepening Wisdom and Compassion – Ep. 162 of the Bob Thurman Podcast” is apart of the “Buddhist Pilgrimage Series” using field recordings of Robert AF Thurman and friends from his global docent tours benefiting the work of Tibet House US. To listen to more archive recordings from from past Robert A.F. 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. 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. To learn about upcoming Tibet House US trips Robert Thurman + GeoEx please visit: www.bobthurman.com.

In this two part podcast Mark Epstein M.D. joins Professor Thurman for a dialog on the Buddhist & Alcoholics Anonymous perspectives on addiction, depression, recovery and their strategies on how individuals can change their relationship to feelings of powerlessness. Beginning with a recommendation of BBC’s long running Science Fiction Fantasy program ‘Dr. Who’ and a humorous take on the culinary history of civilization Robert Thurman gives a teaching on karma, compassion + emptiness suggesting alternative solutions on dealing with anger and one’s enemies. Second half of the podcast opens with an in depth discussion on the relationship between powerlessness as taught by Alcoholics Anonymous and other Twelve Step programs of recovery and the Buddha’s teaching on emptiness. Podcast concludes with Professor Thurman’s teaching on the Three Buddha’s of Western Liberal Education: Darwin, Marx & Freud. The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous Photo by Mike Paradise, All Rights Reserved. “Alcoholics Anonymous, Buddhism + Powerlessness” is an excerpt 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 AF Thurman & Mark Epstein M.D., recorded at Menla’s Nalanda Conference Center in Phoenicia, New York, Summer 2017. To 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’ 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. “Alcoholics Anonymous, Buddhism + Powerlessness – Ep. 161″ of the Bob Thurman Podcast” is apart of the Buddhism 101 series using classic teachings from the archives of Robert AF Thurman to elucidate basic concepts of the tradition. To learn more about upcoming programs in the heart of the Catskills with Bob Thurman & Mark Epstein M.D. please visit: www.menla.us.

Joined by Foundation for the Sacred Stream's Isa Gucciardi Ph.D. Robert AF Thurman in this podcast discusses the power of creative and humorous rudeness as taught by Shantideva, Tibet's Dalai Lama and by his beloved teacher: wife of fifty years Nena von Schlebrügge. This two part podcast begins with Professor Thurman recounting personal stories from the Fourteenth Dalai Lama discussing the illusion of American Democracy, Mammon-ocracy (The Worship of Money), identity slippage and the origins of Shantideva’s name Bhusuku. Guiding a thought experiment on the Royal Reason of Relativity, Robert Thurman examines the self identifying habit which without the development of empathy and direct experiential understanding of the interconnected nature of reality can lead to selfish absolutism and much of our every day suffering. Second half of podcast begins with Isa Gucciardi Ph.D. inquiring about reincarnation as taught in the different schools of Buddhism and by the Dalai Lama Podcast includes an overview of the Buddhist Biological point of view on evolution, how to develop empathy, the model of compassion found in the films of Bill Murray Films and Lutheran perspective on changing the world as heard on public radio's A Prairie Home Companion. This episode include a special teaching of Professor Thurman's "trademark" Sleep Yoga which is given to over-night visitors to the Tibet House US Retreat Center and to Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, New York. “Creative + Humorous Rudeness” is an excerpt from the panel discussion Foundation for The Sacred Stream's "Learning from Dying: Buddhist Understandings of Consciousness and Death with Isa Gucciardi Ph.D., Eve Ekman and David Bullard held at UCSF September 11th, 2017. To learn more about Foundation for the Sacred Stream please visit: www.sacredstream.org. To listen to more archive recordings from from past Robert A.F. 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. The song ‘Dancing Ling’ by Tenzin Choegyal from the album ‘