Bob Thurman Podcast:

Three Kinds of Giving : Buddhism 101 – Ep. 61

Tibetan Buddhism teaches that there are three kinds of giving: the giving of material objects, the giving of security and protection, and the giving of teaching. The giving of teaching is considered to be the most important one. In this podcast Professor Thurman talks about these different kinds of giving, about the importance of skillfulness or intelligence in giving, and about the difference between the ordinary/regular and transcendent giving. This episode was recorded on February 27, 2...

Bob Thurman_Three Kinds of Giving - Ep 61

Guru: A Boss Or A Friend? – Ep. 60

The Indian word “guru” means “heavy” in Sanskrit, reflecting an understanding from the Indian society of Buddha’s time, in which the guru figure was an authority or a father figure. Buddha challenged this understanding by undercutting the role of a teacher as an authority figure and by refusing to present himself as such an authority. He taught that the role of a teacher is to be a “kalyana mitra” — “a virtuous friend,” who leads one to enlightenment and exemplifies virtue, rather than bein...

Bob Thurman_A Guru_a Boss Or a Friend_ - Ep 60

Anger Management for Women – Ep. 59

In Professor Thurman’s view, men in our society are socialized to express their anger more readily than women and are expected to be generally more dominating. Women are socialized to be more patient and accepting. Some say, they should find their way to equality through expressing more anger. However, Professor Thurman continues, we would be wrong to think that aggressiveness is a strength; rather it is a weakness. This episode was recorded on March 12, 2016 at the “Embracing the Sacred F...

Bob Thurman_Anger Management for Women - Ep 59

Sacred Feminine & Masculine : Buddhism 101 – Ep. 58

In this episode Professor Thurman shares some secrets of a long marriage, talks about the relationship between sacred feminine and sacred masculine, and about the balance of the feminine and masculine energies in the world and inside of oneself. Sacred Feminine and Sacred Masculine : Buddhism 101 – Ep. 58 of the Bob Thurman Podcast Digital Image by Adam Martinakis, All Rights Reserved. This episode a part of the Buddhism 101 series using classic teachings from the archives of Robert A.F. ...

Bob Thurman_Sacred Feminine and Sacred Masculine - Ep 58

Is the Goal of Buddhism to Become Nobody? – Ep. 57

The reason why we sometimes think that the goal of Buddhism is just to become nobody is because we don’t understand the concept of selflessness. Selflessness does not mean that we are nobody, it does not mean that we cease to exist. There is no way you can ever not exist, just as you cannot become nothing. In this podcast Professor Thurman continues to discuss the concept of selflessness. Podcast includes a short introduction to the Buddhist perspective of emptiness and it’s relationship wi...

Bob Thurman_Is the Goal of Buddhism to Become Nobody - Ep 57

Darwin, Marx, Freud & Buddha – Ep. 56

In this podcast Professor Thurman discusses how the ideas of Darwin, Marx and Freud, although brilliant, are based on a rather despondent bottom line assessment: that we as humans are a bunch of helpless robots. But is it true that we can never understand our unconscious? Are we helpless victims of our genes? Are we the victims of our social settings? By contrast, Buddhist ideas incite human beings to take responsibility for their own minds by fully understanding the inter-relatedness in th...

Bob Thurman_Darwin, Marx, Freud & Buddha - Ep 56

Buddhist Inner Sciences 101: Three Luminosities – Ep. 55

In this episode Professor Thurman talks about a coarse, subtle and super subtle body-mind. He then explains the Tibetan Buddhist concept of “three luminosities”: the states of consciousness, which can be experienced either after death, or during sleep. He compares the infinite energy of the clear-light space in our mind with the zero-quantum vacuum energy field. Buddhist Inner Sciences 101: Three Luminosities – Ep. 55 of the Bob Thurman Podcast Image via www. himalayaart.com. Excerpted fro...

Bob Thurman_Three Luminosities - Ep 55

Why Be Mindful : Buddhism 101 – Ep. 54

In this episode Robert A.F. Thurman discusses the meditation practices of the mindful revolution from a Buddhist perspective. He discusses its influence on the mind and some different ways it can be practiced: you can count your breath or you can say your mantra. When your mind wanders, you bring it back to the main focus and you disassociate yourself from distracting thoughts. In this way, you gain more control over your reactions and learn to develop a higher concentration. “Why Be Mindfu...

Bob Thurman_Why Be Mindful - Ep 54

We Can Make Miraculous Change – A Special Losar Podcast

“We must make miraculous change, and the planet will be better than ever,” – Professor Thurman greets us with this positive message in this special podcast, recorded for the occasion of the Tibetan New Year, Losar. The planet, political systems/structures, society and we personally may experience difficulties and lack of optimism. Nevertheless, he proposes, we should be open to or even insist on miracles. In fact, he continues, they have been happening all along, we just haven’t been paying...

Bob Thurman_We Can Make Miraculous Change

Universal Militarism Versus Demilitarized Society – Ep. 53

According to Professor Thurman, the only effective institutional opposition to militarism in the history of humanity has been monasticism. He argues that monastic institutions enable the inversion of warriors. The militancy of the warrior is introverted, so that the monk or nun battles with his or her own inner demons of selfishness, anger, greed, and so on. In this podcast Professor Thurman suggests that dharma practitioners can win the inner battle, and when they constitute a large communi...

Bob Thurman_Universal Militarism Versus Demilitarized Society - Ep 53

Pureland and Lotus Sutras : Buddhism 101 – Ep. 52

In this podcast Professor Thurman talks about the history and meaning of the Pureland Sutra and the Lotus Sutra. Sutras are canonical scriptures, regarded as records of the oral teachings of Gautama Buddha. The Pureland Sutra is the main sutra of one of the most widely practiced traditions of Buddhism in East Asia, the Pureland tradition. The Lotus Sutra is one of the most popular and influential Mahayana sutras of all time, and the basis for several schools of Buddhism. This episode was re...

Bob Thurman_The Pureland and Lotus Sutras - Ep 52

MLK, Buddhism and Non-Violence – Ep. 51

In this podcast Professor Robert A.F. Thurman shares his knowledge of the history of non-violence & Buddhism and their influence on the social and ethical development in the countries where The Buddha’s Teachings have taken root. He talks about mainstream Buddhist societies and counter-cultural Buddhist societies, both of which become devoted to non-violence. This episode was recorded on December 8, 2015 in a class taught by Professor Thurman. To watch + listen to more recordings of past e...

Bob Thurman_Buddhism and Non-Violence - Ep 51

Emptiness of Emptiness – Ep. 50

In this episode Professor Thurman explains the concept of emptiness. Sometimes people think if they have an experience where things seem to melt into empty space, that it is a realization of emptiness. It is a valuable experience — as long as it’s not misinterpreted — however, it’s not a realization of emptiness. It can be called a threshold of realization of emptiness: the things that seem to be solid and differentiated melt into this sort of vast space. But then, the space itself is not th...

Bob Thurman_Emptiness of Emptiness - Ep 50

Becoming Conscious of the Unconscious – Ep. 49

In this episode Professor Thurman discusses how to deepen our mental realism about what we are, what our inner world & processes are by applying the famous Buddhist Eightfold Path. There is a great difference between Buddhist psychology and Western psychology (not a religious difference, but a scientific one). Buddhist psychology does not accept that you have to be unconscious, and that you are going to be driven forever by unconsciousness drives and energies. Although the ordinary, habitua...

Bob Thurman_Becoming Conscious of the Unconscious - Ep 49

Saints and Miracles : Tilopa, Marpa & Milarepa – Ep. 48

In this podcast Professor Thurman shares the stories of great sinners transforming into great saints, of work-ability of the human mind and preciousness of human life. The miracle stories will go well with your celebratory New Year dinner! Opening this podcast with an introduction to the Buddhist perspective human nature and on the individual’s ability to transform themselves ethically through understanding and selfless compassion. Podcast includes an exploration of the Tibetan saints (Bod...

Christmas Podcast: Buddhists Love Jesus Too!

Celebrate tonight the welcoming of the Infinite Divine in the form of an innocent child, reaching out not only to humans, but also to non-humans by being born in a manger, and not just to one tribe, but to all of the world, represented by the three wise men. Professor Thurman wishes a Merry Christmas to all of us. This podcast was recorded on December 24, 2015 by Professor Thurman specially for the Christmas Eve at his residence in Catskills, Woodstock, NY. Christmas Podcast: Buddhists Lov...

Bob Thurman_Buddhists Love Jesus Too

Bob Thurman_Saints & Miracles - Ep 48

Two Kinds of Bodhichitta : Shantideva – Ep. 47

In this podcast Professor Thurman explains the meaning of the cornerstone Buddhist concept of Bodhichitta, which is of two kinds: love & compassion and wisdom of emptiness. Enlightenment is a complete manifestation of it . . . This episode was recorded on December 5, 2015 at the “Shamans and Siddhas: Meeting at the Crossroads of Shamanism & Tantrism” retreat at Menla Mountain Retreat, taught by Isa Gucciardi & Robert Thurman. Two Kinds of Bodhichitta : Shantideva – Episode 47 of the Bob Th...

Bob Thurman_Two Kinds of Bodhichitta - Ep 47

Human Rights & Buddhism : Buddhist History 101 – Ep. 46

Prince Siddhartha was asserting his human right to seek his own flourishing and fulfillment as a human individual rather than serve the community as a king at the wish of his father and of his society. He didn’t consider that he was able to really help people who he was supposed to be helping as their ruler. In this episode Professor Thurman discusses the topic of human rights and buddhism, as well as other engaging topics. This episode was recorded on December 10, 2015 in a class taught by...

Bob Thurman_Human Rights and Buddhism - Ep 46

Shantideva: Seventeen Great Pandits of Nalanda – Ep. 45

In this episode Professor Thurman talks about the Seventeen Great Scholars of Nalanda. They taught at Nalanda, which was a renowned Buddhist University, which traditionally is said to have grown out of a monastery established during the Buddha’s time. His Holiness the Dalai Lama often says that he is not necessarily a follower of this or that particular school of Tibetan Buddhism. Rather he traces his spiritual ancestry or lineage to the Seventeen Great Pandits of Nalanda. Professor Thurm...

Bob Thurman_The Seventeen Great Pandits of Nalanda - Ep 45

Buddhism 101 : What does Buddha Feel? – Ep. 44

What does it mean to become a Buddha? Does it mean to disappear into space separate from everything? To feel superior? To become a servant of others? In this episode Professor Thurman discusses what it means to be a Buddha, talks about extreme views of absolutism and nihilism and about the necessity of critical and analytical thinking when listening to the teachings. Buddhism 101 : What does Buddha Feel? – Ep. 44 of the Bob Thurman Podcast Amitabha/Amitayus Image via www.tibethouse.us. Thi...

Bob Thurman_What does Buddha feel - Ep 44

Shantideva: Anger Management – Ep. 43

We all know what anger is. When a situation is going wrong for us — when something we wanted to see happening doesn’t, or when something we don’t want to see happening is happening — we get frustrated. That frustration is a fuel of anger. Some people may advise: “Just swallow your anger,” but if you still are feeling angry and are merely not expressing it, your anger can become internalized and make you depressed. Therefore other people choose to express it… But there are also other ways to...

Bob Thurman_Anger Management - Ep 43

Shantideva: Exchanging Oneself for Others – Ep. 42

“Since I and other beings, both, in wanting happiness are equal and alike, what difference is there to distinguish us, that I should strive to have my happiness alone?” In this podcast Professor Thurman discusses the ideas, advanced by Buddhist teachers, in this case skillfully expressed by saint and scholar Shantideva: it’s by abandoning self-preoccupation and by cultivating concern for others, that we can experience happiness, and not by ignoring other beings, as we are much more used to d...

Bob Thurman_Exchanging Oneself for Others - Ep 42

Heroic Resolve: Conceiving the Bodhisattva Spirit – Ep. 41

When we look at mother-beings and see how they really are—quite unhappy, having a lot of problems, growing old—we naturally wish to relieve their unbearable feelings, and this wish takes a form of unbearable compassion. We are afraid that this will be an unpleasant experience for us, but there is a difference, Professor Thurman explains, between compassion and empathy. Once we feel the suffering of others together with them, we wish to get rid of beings’ suffering and think how to make them ...

Bob Thurman_The Heroic Resolve_Conceiving the Bodhisattva Spirit - Ep 41

Evolutionary Cause of Beauty : Buddhism 101 – Ep. 40

In this podcast Professor Thurman shares insights on the concepts of virtue, beauty and skillfulness in Tibetan Buddhism. We think of virtue as beautiful and associate the good with light and brightness. By drawing from the etymology of the Tibetan word “virtuous”, Professor Thurman shows how virtue also includes aspects of beauty and skillfulness. He goes on to analyze the evolutionary cause of beauty, and how we can define creativity in Tibetan Buddhism. This episode is an excerpt from t...

Bob Thurman_The Evolutionary Cause of Beauty - Ep 40

Relative & Absolute: Manjushri & Vimalakirti, Part 2 – Ep. 39

This episode is a continuation of last week’s episode on the fifth chapter of the famous Vimalakirti Sutra. An object of love and inspiration for many lay practitioners, as well as monastics, the Sutra is known for giving an in-depth explanation & analysis of key buddhist concepts, such as emptiness, non-duality, self & non-self, and so on. The 5th chapter relates to Prajnaparamita or Transcendent Wisdom. This episode was recorded on October 8, 2015 in a class taught by Professor Thurman. ...

Bob Thurman_Relative & Absolute_A Conversation between Manjushri & Vimalakirti, Part 2 - Ep 39