In this episode Robert Thurman details the concept of emptiness, giving a teaching on the power of the mind to develop transcendent wisdom in order to understand reality as it is using critical thinking, debate, direct experience and meditation. This podcast includes discussions of: the scientific nature of the Buddha’s teachings, the illusion-like nature of the appearance of reality, the three types of wisdom (wisdom born of learning, critical reflection, and meditative insight), and an...

In this episode Robert Thurman discusses the power of positive thinking in troubling times and gives a teaching on the Buddhist perspective of love and enlightenment for those of all backgrounds and traditions. This podcast includes discussions of: the importance of the 2022 mid-term elections in the United States, the value of democratic institutions across the globe, and a short introduction to Thurman’s book, “Wisdom is Bliss: Four Friendly Fun Facts that Can Change Your Life”, now...

Opening with guided meditation on searching for the self, Robert Thurman gives a teaching on self, selflessness and how to understand what clearlight means from the Buddhist perspective. “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...

Opening with a guided "Seven Limbs of Practice" meditation Robert Thurman in this episode gives an all levels teaching on the Four Noble Truths and the transformational practice of the exchange of self for others or Lojong. Episode includes an explanation of the yoga of positive evolutionary action and how acting transcendentally and shift our understanding of reality and emotional interrelationship with all beings, friend, foe, and neutral ones. Concludes with an overview of the Bodhisattva...

In this episode Robert Thurman re-tells Shakyamuni Buddha’s life story and gives an in-depth teaching on the nature of enlightenment for those of all backgrounds, faiths and traditions. "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...

Opening with an introduction to the two kinds of Bodhichitta, Robert Thurman gives an in-depth teaching on wisdom, compassion, love and their connection to the Buddhist understanding of emptiness. This podcast includes a discussion of nirvana and the emanation body (nirmanakaya) which is the form of the Buddha that appears in the world to teach people the path to liberation. The episode concludes with an introduction to the Seven-Fold Precept of Mother Recognition and The Exchange of Self and...

Opening with a guided “Jewel Tree” meditation, Robert Thurman gives an introduction to the Buddhist concepts of bodhisattvas, bodhichitta--the spirit of becoming perfectly awakened--and to the role of motivation in Buddhism and in everyday interactions. Using the classical imagery of the covered, leaky and poisoned vessels, Thurman gives a teaching on the qualities needed to be an open-minded, determined and well-intended student of Buddha Dharma and of life. “Tibetans call their cherished...

The Heart Sutra is one of the most profound and widely studied texts in the Buddhist canon. It is recited at the start of teachings, events & as a blessing. In this podcast Robert A.F. Thurman leads a recitation of The Heart Sutra and gives a teaching for all audiences on its connections to the Four Noble Truths and the Buddha's Eight Fold Path of liberation. Professor Thurman begins this podcast with an explanation of the Heart Sutra focusing on the the dialog between Shāriputra and...

In this episode Robert A.F. Thurman is joined by Machiel Klerk, social entrepreneur, licensed mental health therapist, international speaker, dream worker, author, and founder of the Jung Platform, an organization focused on providing quality programs for personal development from a soul-centered perspective. Using Machiel Klerk’s book Dream Guidance: Connecting to the Soul Through Dream Incubation, published by Hay House as a jumping off point, Machiel and Thurman in this episode engage in a...

Opening with a short introduction to the first two stages of the Lam Rim (Path to Enlightenment), the preciousness of human life endowed with liberty and opportunity, and awareness of the immediacy of death, Robert Thurman gives a teaching on the inexorability of the cause and effect of evolutionary action. This episode includes a recommendation of “Be Here Now” by Ram Dass and an in-depth exploration of non-duality, karma, causation and the Buddha’s evolutionary theory of biology. “Tibetans...

In this episode Robert Thurman discusses his early years studying Buddhism with the Kalmyk-Mongolian lama Geshe Ngawang Wangyal at the Tibetan Buddhist Learning Center Labsum Shedrub Ling in central New Jersey, meeting his wife Nena von Schlebrügge at Millbrook, and his encounters with psychedelic psychonauts Timothy Leary and Ram Dass in the 1960s. Using his classic book The Life and Teachings of Tsongkhapa (now available in a new edition by Wisdom Publications), Thurman discusses emptiness,...

Opening with a meditation on the Greek myth of Atlas, the Titan condemned to hold up the earth, heavens and sky for eternity, Robert Thurman gives a teaching on the power of letting go and developing self compassion in meditation in order to change our relationship to our mind, our thoughts and to the world around us. This episode includes a short overview of the Buddhist perspective on spiritual evolution, instructions on developing the transcendent attitude as taught in the Tibetan Lam Rim...

In this episode Robert A.F. Thurman uses the Mahāsatipatthāna Sutta, the Buddha’s direct instructions on practicing meditation and developing mindfulness, as a gateway to give a teaching on the intersection of Buddhism & Psychotherapy and the Buddhist perspective on non-duality. Joined by Dr. Mark Epstein, Thurman discusses the Mahāsatipatthāna Sutta’s connection to the Heart Sutra, the four focuses of mindfulness, the legacy of Wilhelm Reich, the practice of circumambulation of stupas...

Opening with a detailed definition and explanation of the Tibetan terminology used for the Dalai Lama, Robert Thurman gives a close line reading of “Song of Immortality: Prayer for the Long Life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama” using the text to give a teaching on the history of the Avalokiteshvara great compassion Bodhisattva reincarnation tradition and on its importance to our modern global society. Recorded to celebrate the 87th Birthday of Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, Thurman...

In this episode Robert A.F. Thurman discusses the ongoing effects of the Trump presidency on American civil rights, constitutional protections, health care, women’s reproductive access, and sensible gun laws, as well as the Buddha’s revolutionary redefinition of Dharma. Opening with a discussion of the writings and work of Patrick Olivelle, Thurman gives a traditional Buddhist Dharma teaching on the interconnected blissful nature of reality, exploring the nurturing and transformative...

Using the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment teachings and the text “Guru Puja,” or “The Devotion to the Mentor” by the Fourth Panchen Lama, Robert A.F. Thurman leads listeners through the practice of “taking refuge”, giving an in-depth teaching on the three jewels of Buddhism and how the lessons of the historical Buddha can transform and improve the life of any sensitive being, no matter their background, faith or religious association. Opening with a line-by-line reading of the “Refuge...

In this message celebrating the full moon day of celebration of the birth, enlightenment and passing of the historical Buddha, Professor Thurman gives an extended teaching on how Saka Dawa is celebrated by Tibetans across the world. Saka Dawa, named for the star, Vishakha, prominent during the fourth month in the Tibetan lunar calendar, is almost the same as the Theravadin observance of Vesak. It is considered the most sacred month for remembering the great achievement of Shakyamuni Buddha in...

In this episode Robert Thurman gives an impassioned and direct call to action for Americans to immediately address the decades of school shootings and senseless gun violence happening across the country, highlighting the forces behind the political deadlock preventing sensible legislation as well as simple direct democratic ways of creating a safer and better future for those on both side of the debate. Opening with a discussion of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Thurman...

In this episode Robert A.F. Thurman gives a historical introduction to Buddhism, it's creation, development and refinement in Tibet using the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment teachings and the text "Guru Puja," or "The Devotion to the Mentor" by the Fourth Panchen Lama. Opening with a discussion of the nature of spiritual retreats, Thurman in this episode presents an all levels overview of the Buddhist path, enlightenment and a short presentation of the life story of the...

In this episode Robert Thurman leads a close line reading of the sixth chapter of “The Holy Teachings of Vimalakirti”, giving an all-levels teaching on the inconceivable nature of the Buddha’s enlightenment, Buddhist emptiness and the nature of love as taught throughout Buddhism. Using personal stories from his time teaching in academia and studying with His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, Thurman reflects on the way that emptiness creates a space for love and compassion to flourish. This...

In this episode Robert Thurman opens with a recitation from Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth” to set the stage for an impassioned discussion of the global climate crisis, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the recent horrendous direct action protest by Wynn Bruce in front of the the U.S. Supreme Court. Bob discusses the historical and philosophical context of the use of offering one’s body via fire to raise awareness, a positive reading of the symbolism of the yellow and blue of the Ukrainian...

In this episode Tibet House US | Menla President & Co-Founder Robert A.F. Thurman sits down for a heart-centered talk about Buddhist perspectives on the environment, Earth Day and the importance of rallying the modern environmental movement’s understanding of the too often overlooked crisis on the Tibetan plateau, the Hindu Kush, and the Himalayas, known as "the Third Pole," due to its containing the world's largest collection of glacial ice after the Arctic and Antarctic poles. The...

In this extended episode, recorded at Menla during the online conference “The Art of Dying and Living: An Exploration of Life, Death, and the Afterlife”, Robert Thurman shares insights and lessons from his study of Buddhism and translation of the mis-titled “Tibetan Book of the Dead”. Joined by Eben Alexander, Sierra Campbell, Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, Deepak Chopra, Terri Daniel, Joan Halifax, Andrew Holecek, Lucy Kalanithi, Jussara Korngold, Simcha Raphael, Richard Martini, Gabor Maté, Frank...

In this episode Robert Thurman discusses the world premiere of the film “Never Forget Tibet: The Dalai Lama’s Untold Story”, happening worldwide March 31st, as well as the historical connections to the current Russian invasion of Ukraine. The feature-length documentary from Compassionate Films will celebrate its world premiere in partnership with Fathom Events on March 31 at 800 participating theaters across the US. The date of the world premiere is very significant, as March 31 is the 63rd...

In this extended podcast Robert A.F. Thurman discusses the significance of March 10th in Tibetan history, it's connections to the Ukraine and gives a teaching on the historical Buddha's perspective on conflict and engaging in defensive wars. Opening with a deep dive into the historical context of the invasion of Tibet, Thurman details the mouse trap laid out by China in 1959 which led directly to His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama and the Tibetans fleeing into exile in India. This...