Bob Thurman Podcast: Buddhas Have More Fun!

In this podcast Robert AF Thurman discusses the history of the Tibet House US publication graphic novel “Man of Peace” and his long time personal relationship with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. After more than a decade in the works Professor Thurman discusses the ‘Man of Peace: Illustrated Life of the Dalai Lama’ Graphic Novel publication + provides an introduction to the history of Tibet, Buddhism & the 14th Dalai Lama. “Why the “life story” of the Dalai Lama? It is a story of one man taking on an empire, calling for truth, peace, and justice for his Tibetan people. Here, in full color for the first time, people can come to know the whole drama of his lifelong struggle. Since the age of 15, the Dalai Lama has defended his people against one of the last great empires, the People’s Republic of China. Under its “dictatorship of the proletariat,” China began to invade Tibet in 1950, decimating and then continually oppressing its people. Since colonialism cannot be practiced in our era of self-determined nations, China always maintains that the Tibetans are a type of Chinese, using propaganda and military power to crush Tibet’s unique culture and identity. Yet the Dalai Lama resists by using only the weapon of truth—along with resolute nonviolence—even worrying some of his own people by seeking dialogue and reconciliation based on his more realistic vision. The great 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet has become the first global Dalai Lama, a prominent transnational leader of all who want to make the dramatic changes actually necessary for life on earth to thrive for centuries to come. Considered the incarnation of the Buddhist savior Chenrezig or Avalokiteshvara—archangel of universal compassion—he is believed to appear in many forms, at many different times, whenever and wherever beings suffer. Representing the plight of his beloved Tibetan people to the world, he has also engaged with all people who suffer oppression and injustice, as recognized in 1989 by his being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Most importantly, the Dalai Lama walks his talk throughout these pages, as he has throughout his life, and he radiates a powerful hope that we can and will prevail. Man of Peace presents the inside story of his amazing life and vision, in the high tension of the military occupation of Tibet and the ongoing genocide of its people—a moving work of political and historical nonfiction brought to life in the graphic novel form—here for all to see.” From Man Of Peace: The Illustrated Life Story of Tibet’s Dalai Lama To learn more about + get your copy of the ‘Man of Peace’ Graphic novel please visit: www.amazon.com. 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.

A Special Losar (Tibetan New Year) Podcast celebrating the Fire Bird/Phoenix year with a detailed introduction to the Buddhist Sciences + the secular nature of the Historical Buddha’s teachings. In this podcast Professor Thurman discusses how the Buddha’s insight and resulting teachings were scientific in nature and can be applied to complex relationships + situations in our busy modern world. This special 108th podcast includes a retelling of the life of Prince Siddhartha, his act of renunciation within it’s spiritual, social & religious context and a special message of gratitude to podcast listeners. This podcast 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 Reality: Charter of Universal Responsibility). To watch the full video archive of this teaching please visit: www.tibethouse.us. Force For Good : Buddhist Sciences – Episode 108 of the Bob Thurman Podcast Photo via www.scienceformonks.org. To listen to the continuation of this Force For Good class visit: Ananda, Jivaka + Devadatta : Buddha’s Entourage – Episode 164.

In this podcast Professor Thurman leads a reading of the early Pali Suttas known as the Digha Nikaya or The Long Discourses of the Buddha on the four foundations of Mindfulness. Includes a guided meditation using the Buddha’s instructions to bhikkhus & bhikkhunis. Recorded at the 2009 Tibet House US weekend retreat “Stress” with Sharon Salzberg at Menla in Phoenicia, New York. Image by Matjaz Krivic from the Tibet House US Exhibition “Silent Spaces” on Display through March 2017.

In this podcast Professor Thurman gives a brief history of the Western discovery of Buddhism and how there have often been misrepresentations of its central ideas—Dharma (or Dhamma), nirvana, karma—confusions some times brought over from the Asian sources countries, some imposed in attempts to modernize or Westernize Buddha’s expressions of how he sees the world. The podcast includes questions from retreat participants about nonviolence and the definition of what makes a society Buddhist. This podcast is apart of the ‘Buddhism 101’ Series using classic teachings from the Robert Thurman archive to elucidate basic concepts of the tradition. Recorded at the 2008 Hiking in the Catskills Retreat at Menla, Phoenicia, New York. Image by Matjaz Krivic from the Tibet House US Exhibition “Silent Spaces” on Display through March 2017.

Professor Thurman begins this podcast with a detailed exploration of the concepts of absolute + relative realities as taught through the Buddhist Inner Sciences with commentary by Mark Epstein M.D.. This recording is apart of the Tibet House US Member Archive. To listen to more from this & other past programs please consider becoming a member. Recorded at the 2009 Tibet House US Self & Selflessness Retreat at Menla in Phoenicia, New York. Image by Matjaz Krivic from the Tibet House US Exhibition “Silent Spaces” on Display through March 2017.

This podcast begins with an introduction to the Buddhist wisdom nagas by Professor Thurman through recounting a story from HH Dalai Lama‘s visit to Menla Mountain & concludes with a reading from the AIBS Publication ‘Universal Vehicle Discourse Literature’. Includes dialog with co-presenter Mark Epstein Ph.D & retreat participants. To listen to more recordings from this & other past programs please consider becoming a Tibet House US Member. This podcast was recorded at the 2008 Tibet House US weekend Retreat with Mark Epstein at Menla Retreat in Phoenicia, NY. This week’s episode’s of the Bob Thurman Podcast was brought to you in part through the support of the Tibet House US Membership Community and Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, New York. To learn more about this year’s program with Robert A.F. Thurman and Dr. Nida at Menla please visit: www.menla.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 listen to more recordings from past Robert A.F. Thurman programs please consider becoming a Tibet House US Member.

The historical Buddha taught that human life is precious and in this podcast Professor Thurman defines & elaborates this theme as taught by the Buddhists of Tibet. This podcast is apart of the ‘Buddhism 101’ Series using classic teachings from Robert Thurman to elucidate basic concepts of the tradition. This recording is an excerpt from the ‘Pathways to the Spirit’ Series Talk given to Trinity College in 1998. Image by Matjaz Krivic from the Tibet House US Exhibition “Silent Spaces” on Display through March 2017.

A short guided meditation on the 2017 US Presidential Inauguration, the Women’s Marches held world wide & the historical context of the current global situation by Professor Robert A.F. Thurman. Includes a short overview of the destructive power of anger & fear from a Buddhist perspective. This podcast was recorded on Jan 17, 2017 in Upstate New York.

The discovery of the historical Buddha not only posited the nature of reality but put forth a systematic method for individuals & society to transform themselves through enlightenment. In this podcast Professor Thurman introduces & elaborates the idea of enlightenment using Tibetan History as a lens. This podcast is apart of the ‘Buddhism 101’ Series using classic teachings from the Robert Thurman archive to elucidate basic concepts of the tradition. This recording is an excerpt from the ‘Pathways to the Spirit’ Series Talk given to Trinity College in 1998.

Professor Thurman guides a close reading of the ‘Six Session Guru Yoga’ it’s commitments for initiates of the Yoga and Highest Yoga tantras, explaining the bodhisattva and tantric vows taken when practicing the Kalachakra and concludes with an overview of the teachings for those with a general interest in Mahayana and esoteric practice. Recorded in Ladakh during Robert Thurman’s 2014 Kalachakra Trip with GeoEx Adventure Travel.