Bob Thurman Podcast: Buddhas Have More Fun!

Latest Episodes:

Exploring The Kalachakra – Ep. 99 Dec 31, 2016

Show notes

The Kalachakra Tantra or “The Wheel of Time” teachings as preserved within the Tibetan Buddhist Vajrayana tradition are considered some of the most esoteric & significant series of initiations transmitted by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

In this podcast Professor Thurman gives an introduction to the twelve days of the Kalachakra initiation providing the historical & symbolic context.

Recorded in Ladakh during Robert Thurman’s 2014 Kalachakra Trip with GeoEx Adventure Travel.

To listen to more recordings from past programs with Robert AF Thurman at Tibet House US in New York City + Menla in Phoenicia, New York in the Catskills please consider becoming a Tibet House US Member.

Working With Enemies: Skillful Means & Reincarnation – Ep 98 Dec 24, 2016

Show notes

Sharon Salzberg & Robert Thurman lead a dialog on the concept of skillful means & answer questions about Buddhist reincarnation through story telling & explanation of current empirical evidence found in modern scientific journals.

Recorded at the 2009 Tibet House US Retreat “Working With Your Enemies” at Menla Retreat · Resort · Spa in Phoenicia, New York.

Lovingkindness For Your Enemies – Ep 97 Dec 17, 2016

Show notes

In this podcast Professor Thurman & Sharon Salzberg discuss the practice of lovingkindness meditation and it’s power to change one’s relationship with difficult people, emotions & situations.

Includes a brief introduction to lovingkindness practice & dialog with retreat participants.

Recorded at the 2009 Tibet House US Retreat “Working With Your Enemies” at Menla Retreat in Phoenicia, New York.

Photo by James Pond on Unsplash

“Normally, we don’t want to love someone we’re in an adverse relationship with. We may feel it means giving in, surrendering, or giving up our values. But real love means loving them too.

Over the years that I’ve taught lovingkindness, I’ve encountered many people who are skeptical about the whole thing. “If I were to develop a more loving heart,” they think, “I’d have to give more money, I wouldn’t take a stand, I wouldn’t protect myself, I’d just sort of smile.”

If we think that’s what love means, what a degraded notion of love we’ve come to! There’s something empowering in recapturing the word “love” as something strong and unafraid.”

Sharon Salzberg from www.lionsroar.com.

Reciting the Tibetan Book of the Dead – Ep. 96 Dec 09, 2016

Show notes

In this podcast Professor Thurman leads a recitation from his translation of “The Tibetan Book of the Dead: The Great Book of Natural Liberation Through Understanding in the Between” of the final section for those journeying through the final stages of the Bardo.

Recorded at Menla Retreat in Phoenicia, New York, 2009.

To watch + listen to more recordings of past events with Robert AF Thurman 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.

Full Access starts at $2 a month.

Photo by Arthur Miranda on Unsplash

Fierce Deities Of Buddhism in The Tibetan Book of the Dead – Ep. 95 Dec 02, 2016

Show notes

In this podcast Professor Thurman explores the concept of fierce protector deities used in Buddhist practices found in the traditional “Tibetan Book of The Dead” teachings and end of life meditations.

Using his translation of “The Tibetan Book of the Dead: The Great Book of Natural Liberation Through Understanding in the Between” Professor Thurman provides a detailed explanation of the mantra & visualization practices before concluding with a guided meditation.

Recorded at Menla Retreat in Phoenicia, New York, 2009.

The Buddha’s Path Summarized – Ep. 94 Nov 22, 2016

Show notes

In this episode Professor Thurman examines the twelve verse summary of the Buddhist path as found the 12th Century “Essence of Eloquence” transcribed to Jey Tsongkapa by Manjushri in 1396-1397. Using personal stories & tales from the life of the Buddha Professor Thurman elucidates the liberty & opportunity afforded during one’s life. Includes a short guided meditation & dialog with retreat participants.

This recording is an excerpt from the “Wisdom of Love & Devotion” Retreat with Krishna Das + Robert AF Thurman at Menla Mountain Retreat, November 2016.

For more teachings from this & other past programs at Menla Retreat visit the Tibet House US Member Archive.

Buddha’s Reputation of Suffering – Ep 93 Nov 16, 2016

Show notes

In this podcast Professor Thurman examines the historical Buddha’s exploration of the nature of reality & dispels the common misunderstanding of his core discovery. Includes a detailed explanation of the Buddhist & Hindu concepts of causality & how they relate to everyday life.

This episode is an excerpt from the lecture given during the “Wisdom of Devotion & Love” Retreat with Krishna Das at Menla Retreat in Phoenicia, New York, November 2016.

The Secret of Joy is Loving Resistance – Ep 92 Nov 12, 2016

Show notes

In this podcast Professor Thurman discusses how to use the practice for the post-election result.

This podcast was recorded on November 11, 2016 by Professor Thurman at his residence in Catskills, Woodstock, NY.

Tibetan Buddhism Is Not Really Tibetan – Ep 91 Nov 05, 2016

Show notes

Conventional terms for different types of Buddhism (Japanese, Chinese, American, etc) seem to imply that Buddhism was made in these countries, and that it is a product of Japan or other places. But even “Indian Buddhism” — Professor Thurman explains — is a wrong term, because in Buddha’s time there was no India. . . In this podcast Professor Thurman talks about origination and development of Buddhism through the centuries, about its three vehicles. He calls them “different styles of education/teaching of Buddhism” and coins new translation terms for Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism.

This episode is an excerpt from the lecture given at Tibet House US in New York City, September 4, 2013, as part of a Tibetan Buddhism Series.

A Loving Look of Compassion – Ep. 90 Oct 29, 2016

Show notes

According to a Buddhist belief, we all have lived not just one, but many lives, an infinite amount of them. This means that every being has had a chance to be our mother in one of those infinite lives. In this podcast Professor Thurman teaches that realizing the infinity of our past lives enables us to find a loving face of our mother in every being, Every being has this loving look of total nurturing, love and concern.

This episode is an excerpt from the lecture given at Tibet House US in New York City, September 4, 2013, as part of a Tibetan Buddhism Series.

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