Bob Thurman Podcast: Buddhas Have More Fun!

Impromptu talk given at Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa on Easter Weekend 2024 to a gathering of Yogi/nis.

In this episode Robert A.F. Thurman discusses the importance of democracy and democratic processes to help fight the current challenges being faced globally from climate change to wars in Ukraine and Israel. 

In this podcast Robert A.F. Thurman sits down to have an extended conversation with Chandra Easton author of the new book “Embodying Tara: Twenty-One Manifestations to Awaken Your Innate Wisdom”.

In this podcast Robert A.F. Thurman discusses Shambhala, Politics & Climate Change and shares a Thanksgiving 2023 message of hope & gratitude with his listeners.

David H. Rosmarin PhD is the author of Thriving with Anxiety: 9 Tools to Make Your Anxiety Work for You (Harper Collins). He is an associate professor at Harvard Medical School, a program director at McLean Hospital, and founder of Center for Anxiety, which provides services to over 1,000 patients/year in multiple states. Dr. Rosmarin is an international expert on spirituality and mental health, whose work has been featured in Scientific American, the Boston Globe, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times. He can be reached via his website www.dhrosmarin.com

In this episode Robert A.F. Thurman discusses the 14th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States as a way for dealing with the political chaos now being created in the House of Representatives and uses it as a launching point to address the wars in Ukraine & Israel. 

In this episode Robert Thurman discusses the first turning of the wheel of Dharma on Cho-khor Duchen, the day of the Tibetan calendar celebrating the historical Buddha’s first teachings after gaining enlightenment. This episode includes a discussion of his latest book, “Wisdom Is Bliss: Four Friendly Fun Facts That Can Change Your Life” and the Four Noble Truths.

A special personal  invitation to the upcoming online & in-person initiation and retreat, “Vajrayoga Yamantaka Intensive with His Eminence the 11th Lelung Rinpoche“, from Robert A.F. Thurman. This podcast includes a brief biography of Lelung Rinpoche and explanation of the Yamantaka practices being taught at the hybrid event held at Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa, Summer 2023.

Opening with a recommendation of the upcoming online event with Jai Dev Singh, “Treasure Teachings from the Naga Dragons: Mahayana Tantra and Kundalini Yoga“, this episode is a heartfelt exploration of non-violence in light of the recent conflict in Ukraine.

In this episode Robert Thurman celebrates summer solstice by sharing updates about his latest book, “Wisdom Is Bliss: Four Friendly Fun Facts That Can Change Your Life”, Tibet’s Fourteenth Dalai Lama, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi recent visit to the United States, and about the on-going conflict in Ukraine. Image via Shutterstock.com

In this episode Robert Thurman discusses the recent viral video of the Fourteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet with a young boy addressing the context and background behind the edited attack campaign. To learn more and to watch the full video, please visit: https://youtu.be/bT0qey5Ts78. Photo of His Holiness the Dalai Lama via www.shutterstock.com.

In this celebratory episode, Robert Thurman discusses the Christian holiday Easter, giving a teaching on Jesus the Rabbi and Christianity’s role in modern-day politics and everyday life in the West. Opening with a short history of early Christianity, this episode includes discussions of: the value of interfaith dialogue, the New Testament, the role of non-violence in conflict resolution, the Russian occupation and invasion of Ukraine, and how those of all backgrounds can find insight and inspiration in the story and lessons of Jesus Christ.

In this episode Robert Thurman is joined by Geshe Dangsong Namgyal, author, teacher, and founder of the Kunsang Gar Wisdom program in Santa Cruz, California.   “Geshe’s primary intention is to bring the ancient teachings of Bön and Buddhism to light, helping students reduce suffering and attain realization. His Kunsang Gar Wisdom program incorporates foundational philosophy and psychology, mental development, and the quintessential Dzogchen view. Developing an understanding of ancient scripts, Geshe is uniquely able to decipher and translate rare spiritual texts. It is his intention to preserve as many texts as possible. Geshe has published numerous books in Tibetan and has now begun making his teachings available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.” -From Geshe Dangsong Namgyal’s website Opening with an introduction to Geshe Dangsong Namgyal’s teaching activities, this episode includes an in-depth dialogue on Bön, Dzogchen, and Rime. To learn more about the work and teachings of Geshe Dangsong Namgyal, please visit: www.dangsongnamgyallama.org.

Opening this episode with a line reading of the first chapter of “The Holy Teaching of Vimalakirti Sutra,” Robert Thurman gives a teaching on nirvana, non-duality and the nature of enlightenment, and the bodhiasattva’s building of a buddhaland or buddhaverse. This episode includes overviews of chapters two through five of “The Holy Teaching of Vimalakirti Sutra” introducing the central figures, themes and setting of the sutra. “Robert Thurman’s Basic Buddhism is a collective series of five lectures he has given on Buddhism. In these lectures, Thurman patiently takes apart each jewel of Buddhism: the Buddha as the teacher of enlightenment, the Dharma as the teaching, or the enlightenment reality itself, and the Sangha as the historical and current community of learners seeking to become Buddhas.” -Text from Better Listen Basic Buddhism This episode is an excerpt from the Better Listen “Basic Buddhism” audio course. To learn more and to enjoy the full recording, please visit: www.betterlisten.com. Manjushri Podcast thumbnail photo via www.shutterstock.com.

Opening with a discussion of transcendence in Buddhist science and philosophy, Robert Thurman gives a teaching on selflessness, transcendent wisdom, and the key of how to develop freedom from absolutism in order to cultivate altruism and interconnection with all beings and reality. This podcast includes a discussion on how understanding selflessness leads beyond space-like equipoise samadhi to natural focus on universal love and compassion, intensifying the desire to be of benefit to oneself and all others. The episode concludes with a line reading of the first chapter of “The Holy Teaching of Vimalakirti Sutra,” with a discussion of the infinite multiverse and Buddha Lands (or Buddhaverses) as taught by the historical Buddha in his Mahayana Sutras, disclosing his Universal Vehicle of Buddhism. “Robert Thurman’s Basic Buddhism is a collective series of five lectures he has given on Buddhism. In these lectures, Thurman patiently takes apart each jewel of Buddhism: the Buddha as the teacher of enlightenment, the Dharma as the teaching, or the enlightenment reality itself, and the Sangha as the historical and current community of learners seeking to become Buddhas.” -Text from Better Listen Basic Buddhism This episode is an excerpt from the Better Listen “Basic Buddhism” audio course. To learn more and to enjoy the full recording, please visit: www.betterlisten.com. Podcast thumbnail photo via www.shutterstock.com.

Opening with a discussion of the disappearance of Buddhism in India, Robert Thurman gives a teaching on the history of the Buddhist community and the flowering of the Buddha’s teachings in Tibet. This podcast includes an extended discussion on the influence of China and Chinese Communism upon Buddhism in Tibet and on Tibetan culture. “Robert Thurman’s Basic Buddhism is a collective series of five lectures he has given on Buddhism. In these lectures, Thurman patiently takes apart each jewel of Buddhism: the Buddha as the teacher of enlightenment, the Dharma as the teaching, or the enlightenment reality itself, and the Sangha as the historical and current community of learners seeking to become Buddhas.” -Text from Better Listen Basic Buddhism This episode is an excerpt from the Better Listen “Basic Buddhism” audio course. To learn more and to enjoy the full recording, please visit: www.betterlisten.com. Podcast Thumbnail Photo via www.shutterstock.com.

Opening with a discussion of the goddess Tara, Robert Thurman gives a teaching on the differences between Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and the role and place of women in the early Buddhist Sangha, the community of followers of the Buddha and his teachings. This podcast includes an extended discussion of the symbolism of the Wheel of Dharma and the value of developing selflessness on the spiritual path. “Robert Thurman’s Basic Buddhism is a collective series of five lectures he has given on Buddhism. In these lectures, Thurman patiently takes apart each jewel of Buddhism: the Buddha as the teacher of enlightenment, the Dharma as the teaching, or the enlightenment reality itself, and the Sangha as the historical and current community of learners seeking to become Buddhas.” -Text From Better Listen Basic Buddhism This episode is an excerpt from the Better Listen “Basic Buddhism” Audio Course. To learn more and to enjoy the full recording, please visit: www.betterlisten.com. Podcast Thumbnail Photo via www.shutterstock.com.

Opening with a discussion of the symbolism of the wheel of Dharma, Robert Thurman gives a teaching on the three jewels of Buddhism, focusing on the community of followers of Buddha and his teachings, known as the Sangha. “Robert Thurman’s Basic Buddhism is a collective series of five lectures he has given on Buddhism. In these lectures, Thurman patiently takes apart each jewel of Buddhism: the Buddha as the teacher of enlightenment, the Dharma as the teaching, or the enlightenment reality itself, and the Sangha as the historical and current community of learners seeking to become Buddhas.” -Text From Better Listen Basic Buddhism This episode is an excerpt from the Better Listen “Basic Buddhism” Audio Course. To learn more and to enjoy the full recording, please visit: www.betterlisten.com. Podcast Thumbnail Photo via www.shutterstock.com.

Opening with a discussion of selflessness, Robert Thurman gives a teaching on the nature of Buddhist Tantra and the central roles of reason, bliss and meditation in constructing a positive self identity in order to develop one’s own Buddha nature, free of suffering and ignorance. “Robert Thurman’s Basic Buddhism is a collective series of five lectures he has given on Buddhism. In these lectures, Thurman patiently takes apart each jewel of Buddhism: the Buddha as the teacher of enlightenment, the Dharma as the teaching, or the enlightenment reality itself, and the Sangha as the historical and current community of learners seeking to become Buddhas.” -Text From Better Listen Basic Buddhism This episode is an excerpt from the Better Listen “Basic Buddhism” Audio Course. To learn more and to enjoy the full recording, please visit: www.betterlisten.com. Podcast Thumbnail Photo by Martijn Vonk on www.unsplash.com.

Opening with a definition of Buddha-lands, Robert Thurman gives a teaching on Buddhist Tantra and its interrelationship with Zen, Vajrayana, and all other schools of Buddhism. “Robert Thurman’s Basic Buddhism is a collective series of five lectures he has given on Buddhism. In these lectures, Thurman patiently takes apart each jewel of Buddhism: the Buddha as the teacher of enlightenment, the Dharma as the teaching, or enlightenment itself, and the Sangha as the historical and current community of learners seeking to become Buddhas.” -Text From Better Listen Basic Buddhism This episode is an excerpt from the Better Listen “Basic Buddhism” Audio Course. To learn more and to enjoy the full recording, please visit: www.betterlisten.com. Podcast Thumbnail photo by Samuel Austin on Unsplash.com