Bob Thurman Podcast: Buddhas Have More Fun!

Latest Episodes:

Four Noble Truths: Buddhism as Therapy – Ep. 218 Oct 21, 2019

Show notes

Using the Buddha's teaching of "The Four Noble Truths" Robert A.F. Thurman introduces Buddhism as a therapy and education system created to help individuals discover the path to happiness.

Podcast includes: an exploration of the concept of "noble", a discussion of the the Buddha's insight into the fundamental misknowledge at the heart of each of the Four Noble Truths highlighting the manner in which the Buddha's methodology was revolutionary for the individuals and the the societies it spread to, as it is still today.

Second half of the episode continues Professor Thurman's historical exploration of Buddhism and how it's counter-cultural educational nature has been misunderstood and limited by modern Western comparative religious perspectives.

Episode concludes with a reading of the work of Juan Felipe Herrera by Gary Gach.

Four Noble Truths : Buddhism as Therapy - Ep. 218 of the Bob Thurman Podcast Image via Wellcome Collection.

Buddhism as Therapy : Four Noble Truths - Ep. 218 of the Bob Thurman Podcast is excerpted from "Buddhism: Methods for Pursuit of Happiness" a talk given at the California Institute of Integral Studies.

Tibetan Path of Enlightenment : Podcast Bonus Oct 17, 2019

Show notes

In this extended archive recording Professor Thurman introduces & elaborates the idea of enlightenment using Tibetan History as a lens highlighting the historical Buddha's discovery of the blissful interconnected, interdependent nature of reality.

Podcast includes: an introduction to the Buddhist history of India and Tibet, an overview of the experience of enlightenment as recounted by Shakyamuni Buddha and a concise elaboration of the "Lam Rim" or "Stages of the Path" for those of any tradition.

Tibetan Path of Enlightenment : Bob Thurman Podcast Bonus photo by Wonderlane.

This recording from the ‘Pathways to the Spirit’ Series Talk given to Trinity College in 1998 and was originally excerpted as the episodes "Buddhism 101: Defining Enlightenment – Ep 101" and "Buddhism 101: Preciousness of Human Life – Ep 103".

This podcast is apart of the ‘Buddhism 101’ Series using classic teachings from Robert Thurman to elucidate basic concepts of the tradition.

This week’s episode’s of the Bob Thurman Podcast was brought to you in part through the monthly support of the Tibet House US Membership Community and Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, New York.

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.

Buddha’s Speech: Exploring Buddhist Sutras – Ep. 217 Oct 13, 2019

Show notes

In this episode Robert A.F. Thurman gives an introduction to the Buddhist system of three higher educations or trainings using the "Heart Sutra" as a portal to unpacking the differences between sutra and tantra in an easy to understand manner for those of all traditions.

Podcast includes a discussion of the value and place of cognitive dissonance within meditation, a short history of the oral, written and esoteric traditions of Buddhism and an exploration of the the wisdom and compassion teachings found throughout Buddhist sutra and tantra.

Episode concludes with a reading of the work of Hilda "H.D." Doolittle by Gary Gach.

Buddha's Speech : Exploring Buddhist Sutras - Ep. 217 of the Bob Thurman Podcast Image by Tenzing Rigdol.

Buddha's Speech : Exploring Buddhist Sutras - Ep. 217 of the Bob Thurman Podcast is excerpted from a series of talks given during the Dalai Lama's teachings in Russia, recorded in Riga, Latvia, 2018.

Department of Peace : Dream Team 2020 – Podcast Bonus Oct 02, 2019

Show notes

A special message from Professor Thurman on the history of American Democratic processes, the United States Department of Peace and his call to action for a Dream Team for the 2020 elections.

Elaborating upon his vision for a Democratic Party “Dream Team” in 2020 and for a “Bright Money” campaign based on the wisdom of interdependence, the practice of compassionate generosity and environmental protection Robert A.F. Thurman calls on all sensitive beings to share his short video.

Podcast concludes with an audio version of Professor Thurman's Emergency Dream Team Plan.

“Department of Peace : Dream Team 2020 – Podcast Bonus″ of the Bob Thurman Podcast Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash

“Department of Peace : Dream Team 2020 – Podcast Bonus″ of the Bob Thurman Podcast 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.

My Early Years: Buddhist Soul with Krishna Das- Ep. 216 Sep 23, 2019

Show notes

In this special podcast with Krishna Das, Professor Thurman leads a discussion of the Buddhist perspective on the soul, sin and greed using stories from their early years in India.

Opening with a group recitation of the "Heart Sutra" Robert A.F. Thurman uses this seminal text of all Buddhist traditions as a jumping off point for a discussion of non-duality, bliss and the connections between Hindu and Buddhist self transformation technologies. This week’s poetry segment Krishna Das reads the work of Shabkar Tsogdruk Rangdrol.

This talk was recorded during the Force For Good Class Series at Tibet House US in New York City in 2019 with Krishna Das & Robert A.F. Thurman & is apart of the THUS Member Archive. ‘A Force For Good’ is a Tibet House US course to further the Dalai Lama’s contemporary world initiatives and inspired by Daniel Goleman’s ‘A Force For Good: The Dalai Lama’s Vision for Our World‘.

To learn more about the work + music of Krishna Das please visit: www.krishnadas.com.

Force For Good : Creation Stage Tantra Podcast Bonus Sep 20, 2019

Show notes

In this extended archive recording Robert A.F. Thurman and Dr. Tom Yarnall explore the “Guhyasamāja Tantra King of Tantras – The Glorious Esoteric Community” by Tsongkhapa giving an introduction to Buddhist tantra and the practice of creation stage deity yoga.

Includes an exploration of Buddhist Sand or powder mandalas and the chakra system used in the visualizations used in creation stage tantra meditations and self transformation practices by Robert A.F. Thurman.

Podcast includes a discussion of the role of gods in visualization, the need to study and develop critical wisdom and selfless compassion before engaging in advanced self-transformation and the historical place of initiation in Indian and Vedic communities.

Force For Good : Creation Stage Tantra Podcast Bonus Image via Lotus Within.

“Force For Good : Creation Stage Tantra Podcast Bonus″ of the Bob Thurman podcast was recorded at the 2017 Force for Good Class Series.

‘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).

This on-going s

Force For Good : Vajrayana Podcast Bonus RAFT Archives Sep 13, 2019

Show notes

In this extended archive recording of the Tibet House US Force For Good class Buddhist Sciences : Vajrayana II Robert A.F. Thurman gives an overview of the esoteric teachings of Buddhism.

Using the “Esoteric Community” (Guhyasamāja) by Tsongkhapa, Professor Thurman discusses how with proper study and meditation anyone can understand the full meaning of the Buddha’s esoteric teachings.

Podcast includes: an overview of the Buddhist Inner Sciences, an explanation of the different lineages, orders and sects of Tibetan Buddhism, a short discussion of the distinctions between Mother, Father and Non-Dual Tantra, definitions of Professor Thurman’s “Tantric Abidharma”, Mind Objective, Speech Isolation, Clear Light and the Central Channel system used in Buddhist Medicine and Inner Sciences.

Buddhist Sciences Vajrayana Podcast Bonus RAFT Archives Image of Medicine Buddha and Tsongkhapa via www.welcomecollection.org

“Buddhist Sciences Vajrayana Podcast Bonus RAFT Archives″ of the Bob Thurman podcast was recorded at the 2016 Force for Good Class "Vajrayana II".

This archive was originally excerpted as the episodes: "Mother and Father Tantras" and "Buddhist Opening Verses" and the full video version can be viewed on the Tibet House US Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa YouTube Channel.

Buddhism, Shamanism & the Miraculous – Ep. 215 Sep 09, 2019

Show notes

Using the poetry of Milarepa, stories of the mahasiddhas Tilopa and Naropa and the historical accounts of the Buddha's life, Professor Thurman explains the miraculous nature of Buddhism and it's connection to shamanism.

Opening with a discussion of yoga's connection to Buddhism and it's possible Buddhist origins, Robert Thurman gives an inspiring re-telling of the Buddha's enlightenment from a yogic and meditation perspective.

Podcast includes a discussion of emptiness, the symbolism of trees in Buddhist iconography, the historical role and impact of vegetarianism within the mendicant community, the misrepresentation of "crazy wisdom" by modern teachers and the centrality of critical wisdom and selfless compassion in a proper understanding of the blissful interdependent nature of reality.

Second half of this week’s teaching includes an introduction to Chöd (or severance) meditation practiced in cemeteries or charnel grounds as passed down by the eleventh-century yogini Machig Labdrön by Robert A.F. Thurman.

This week’s poetry segment Gary Gach reads Robinson Jeffers' poem “Vulture”.

This week's episode includes a personal invitation to the Tibet House US Annual Shamans and Siddhas Retreat with Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D. held at Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, New York.

Buddhism, Shamanism & the Miraculous - Ep. 215 Image of Naropa via www.himalayanart.org

Deity Yoga: Buddhism and Theism – Ep. 214 Aug 29, 2019

Show notes

In this two part podcast Robert A.F. Thurman uses stories and lessons learned from his time studying with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to explain the Buddhist perspective on God, gods, goddesses and theism.

Joined by Dr. Tom Yarnall in a discussion of "Guhyasamāja Tantra King of Tantras - The Glorious Esoteric Community" by Tsongkhapa Professor Thurman gives an introduction to Buddhist tantra and the practice of deity yoga.

Second half of this week's teaching includes an exploration of Buddhist Sand or powder mandalas by Robert Thurman.

This week’s poetry segment Gary Gach reads Lew Welch's poem "Lichen".

Gary Gregory Gach is an author, translator, and editor living in San Francisco. A dynamic speaker and teacher in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh’s Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism his works include the anthology “What Book!? Buddha Poems from Beat to Hiphop” and the forthcoming “Pause Breathe Smile – Awakening Mindfulness When Meditation is Not Enough”.

“Deity Yoga : Buddhism and Theism - Episode 214″ of the Bob Thurman podcast was recorded at the 2017 Force for Good Class Series. This on-going series was inspired by Daniel Goleman’s ‘A Force For Good: The Dalai Lama’s Vision for Our World‘. To learn more about this year’s Force For Good Series please click the image above or visit: www.tibethouse.us.

Deity Yoga : Buddhism and Theism - Episode 214 Image via www.namgyalmonastery.org

Song of Enlightenment: Jankya Rolway Dorje – Ep. 213 Aug 24, 2019

Show notes

Robert A.F. Thurman leads a close line translation of Jankya Rolway Dorje's poem "Recognition of Mother Voidness" introducing the Buddhist tradition of enlightenment songs and visionary poetics.

Using D.W. Winnocott's concept of "good enough mother" Professor Thurman gives a teaching on the radical nature of the Buddha's teachings and how their insights can provide those of any tradition valuable tools to transform their lives, relationships and the world around them. This podcast includes: a short biography of the 18th Century teacher to the Qianlong Emperor of China, an introduction to Buddhist emptiness, a discussion of "Big Brothers" in Asian cultures, an overview of the Buddha's discovery of relativity and how the blissful nature of that discovery informs the poetry of enlightened masters of India and Tibet

Song of Enlightenment : Jankya Rolway Dorje - Ep. 213 Image via www.wikipedia.org.

This podcast is apart of the Buddhist Inner Sciences 101 Podcast Series taken from the Bob Thurman & Tibet House US archives which are intended to provide an introduction to the yogic, meditative & theoretical practices of the tradition. These recordings are intended to be general overviews & one should be studying with a qualified teacher before attempting or engaging in the practices.

Song of Enlightenment : Jankya Rolway Dorje - Ep. 213 of the Bob Thurman Podcast was recorded August 2019.

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