The Bob Thurman Podcast #1
The Bob Thurman Podcast 1 by Robert Thurman
New prayer wheels were installed outside the Menla Conference Center and blessed on Dharmachakra Day, July 29, 2006.
Robert Thurman // Robert A.F. Thurman lives to make the peaceful teachings of the Buddha interesting and meaningful to people from all over the world. Working at Columbia University, his intention is to enrich contemporary thought and practice through the profound and vast Buddhist philosophy and psychology.
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New prayer wheels were installed outside the Menla Conference Center and blessed on Dharmachakra Day, July 29, 2006.
In this Bob Thurman Podcast, Bob has an informal Q&A session with four of his students at the Menla Mountain Retreat.
On a Fall 2005 trip to Bhutan, Bob holds a teaching for the group traveling with him while stopped at Dochula Pass, elevation 10,000ft.
In this podcast, Bob offers a primer on the meaning of Buddhism and two of the Four Noble Truths. Recorded November 2005 at Dochula Pass, Bhutan.
Bob continues to explain the Four Noble Truths and how wisdom can open one up to the true nature of reality. Recorded November 2005 at Dochula Pass, Bhutan.
In this first part of a two part podcast, Bob holds a teaching and meditation inside Taksang Monastery, also known as Tiger's Nest. Recorded in Paro, Bhutan. November 2005.
In this second part of the podcast, Bob continues his meditation inside Taksang Monastery, also known as Tiger's Nest.
In this podcast, Bob explains the symbolism of the stupa in Buddhism as the mind of the Buddha being everywhere present. Recorded in Bhutan, November 2005.
In part one of this two part podcast, Bob discusses the Buddhist concept of transcendent renunciation as the moment when you really discover your own worth. Recorded in Bhutan, November 2005.
In this podcast, Bob gives his definition of nirvana; he then describes happiness as that which people seek through orgasm and death and ends with the difference between Tantra and Tantric Sex. Recorded in Bhutan, November 2005.
In this podcast, Bob discusses how society and the dharma are coordinated in Buddhism to focus on education and the nature of reality. Recorded in Bhutan, November 2005.
In this podcast, Bob leads a meditation on the exchange of self and other. He describes how one can develop true love and compassion for all beings only by first giving up self-preoccupation. Recorded in Bhutan, November 2005.
In this first of three podcasts on the Bhutanese concept of Gross National Happiness, Bob asks, What is Buddhism? He explains how Buddhism is, contrary to popular thought, not a religion based on any type of faith or belief. Rather, Buddhism is a way of understanding the true nature of reality through wisdom. Recorded in Bhutan, November 2005.
In this second of three podcasts on the Bhutanese concept of Gross National Happiness, Bob discusses the non-existance of "nothingness" and how development under the Bhutanese constitution means the development of the happiness of its people. Recorded in Bhutan, November 2005.
In this third and final podcast on the Bhutanese concept of Gross National Happiness, Bob warns of the loss of enlightenment education in the culture when Bhutanese schools teach Western Science's reality picture, which is more akin to materialism than Buddhism. Recorded in Bhutan, November 2005.
In this series of podcasts, Robert Thurman will discuss in detail the three stages of the Lam Rim. The first stage, renunciation, occurs upon recognition that the nature of all unenlightened life is suffering, from which one can generate a strong transcendence based on the determination to be free from suffering. Recorded at Tibet House US, October 18, 2006.
In this series of podcasts, Robert Thurman will discuss in detail the three stages of the Lam Rim. The first stage, renunciation, occurs upon recognition that the nature of all unenlightened life is suffering, from which one can generate a strong transcendence based on the determination to be free from suffering. Recorded at Tibet House US, October 18, 2006.
In this series of podcasts, Robert Thurman will discuss in detail the three stages of the Lam Rim. The first stage, renunciation, occurs upon recognition that the nature of all unenlightened life is suffering, from which one can generate a strong transcendence based on the determination to be free from suffering. Recorded at Tibet House US, October 18, 2006.
In this series of podcasts, Robert Thurman will discuss in detail the three stages of the Lam Rim. The first stage, renunciation, occurs upon recognition that the nature of all unenlightened life is suffering, from which one can generate a strong transcendence based on the determination to be free from suffering. Recorded at Tibet House US, October 18, 2006.
"There is no higher happiness than peace," the Buddha said. In this series of podcasts, Dr. Thurman and Sharon Salzberg will explore inner peace and its relationship to ethics, love, and a conviction about interdependence, and work with how these guide us to what right action might look like in a world so clearly not at peace. Recorded at Menla Mountain Retreat Center, October 2006.
In this series of podcasts, Robert Thurman will discuss in detail the three stages of the Lam Rim. The second stage is based upon the contemplation that suffering is universal and common to all beings, whereby one develops the bodhi-mind, the altruistic spirit of enlightenment.
In this series of podcasts, Robert Thurman will discuss in detail the three stages of the Lam Rim. The second stage is based upon the contemplation that suffering is universal and common to all beings, whereby one develops the bodhi-mind, the altruistic spirit of enlightenment.
"There is no higher happiness than peace," the Buddha said. In this series of podcasts, Dr. Thurman and Sharon Salzberg will explore inner peace and its relationship to ethics, love, and a conviction about interdependence; and how these guide us to what right action might look like in a world so clearly not at peace. Recorded at Menla Mountain Retreat Center, October 2006.
"There is no higher happiness than peace," the Buddha said. In this series of podcasts, Dr. Thurman and Sharon Salzberg will explore inner peace and its relationship to ethics, love, and a conviction about interdependence, and work with how these guide us to what right action might look like in a world so clearly not at peace.
"There is no higher happiness than peace," the Buddha said. In this podcast, Bob discusses the Blade Wheel teachings that were the focus of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's recent visit in New York City.
"There is no higher happiness than peace," the Buddha said. In this podcast, Bob continues his discussion of the Blade Wheel teachings that were the focus of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's recent visit in New York City. Looking at one's negative evolutionary action, Bob reveals how it is our misfortune that empowers us to learn from our mistakes and become more Buddha-like.
"There is no higher happiness than peace," the Buddha said. In this podcast, Bob examines His Holiness the Dalai Lama's theories on war and its obsolescence in the modern age.
"There is no higher happiness than peace," the Buddha said. In this podcast, Bob describes how one can modify the construct they believe themselves to be stuck in through meditation.
"There is no higher happiness than peace," the Buddha said. In this podcast, Bob discusses the possibility of the Chinese Government allowing His Holiness the Dalai Lama to return to Tibet and making it possible for the Tibetans to practice Buddhism freely.
"There is no higher happiness than peace," the Buddha said. In this podcast, Bob explains the goal of the Blade Wheel Teaching as the eradication of selfishness and gives the example of the Tibetan ritual of sky burial. Bob also introduces us to Tara, one of the most powerful of female Buddhas and know as the "mother of liberation."
"There is no higher happiness than peace," the Buddha said. In this podcast, Bob explores how the Blade Wheel teachings can help conquer one's identity addiction and self-absolutization by inducing Yamantaka, the terminator of death.
"There is no higher happiness than peace," the Buddha said. In this podcast, Bob explains the Blade Wheel's paradoxical teaching that one should blame themself as the victim when bad things happen because only you can change yourself. Recorded at Menla Mountain Retreat, October 2006.
In this podcast taken from a lecture to his undergraduate class, Bob explains the shift in the meaning of the words, karma and dharma, that came about during the Buddha's time. He continues to explain how taking refuge in the dharma is really taking refuge in reality.
In this podcast taken from a lecture to his undergraduate class, Bob explains how Buddha's reincarnation in Hollywood is Neo in the first Matrix film. Recorded at Columbia University, September 2006.
In this podcast taken from a lecture to his undergraduate class, Bob discusses the non-existence of nothing and how we are all apart of the quantum soup.
In this podcast, Bob explains how the 1st vehicle, the individual vehicle taught in Theravada Buddhism, lays the foundation for the 2nd vehicle, the universal vehicle taught in Mahayana Buddhism.
In this podcast, Bob gives a 25-minute guided meditation introducing this series on the self and selflessness.
Bob reveals how the Tibetan Buddhists use dreams to explore different worlds and how one can sleep their way to Buddhahood.
Bob explores the Buddhist virtue of forgiveness as taught by Shanti Deva; how one can use injury for their own spiritual enlightenment.
In this podcast, Bob explains that when our negative emotions get the better of us, we can help ourselves by realizing our relative nature and deny our absolutized view of the "I." Recorded at Menla Mountain Retreat Center, July 2006.
Bob explains the significance of Dharmachakra, the day the Buddha began his teachings, and how it is unique among all other teachings in history.
Bob explains how all artists teach the dharma by opening our awareness to the beauty of the ordinary and showing us how extraordinary we can be.
Bob explains how Buddhism is more akin to realism than a religion; and how doubting everything is the key to understanding.
Bob explains how Buddhism is more akin to realism than a religion; and how doubting everything is the key to understanding.
In introducing his translation of the teaching of Vimalakirti, Bob tells a story of the Buddha; When he made a planetarium out of parasols to show others the nature of reality.
Continuing his translation of the teaching of Vimalakirti, Bob explores what he calls the Buddhaverse, who created it and what happened when Buddha met Brahma.
Continuing with the teaching of Vimalakirti, Bob introduces Shari Putra, who delineates the differences between Vedanta, dualistic, and Mahayana, non-dual, traditions of Buddhism.
Continuing with the teaching of Vimilakirti, Bob explains how the Buddhist theory of evolution is similar to Darwin's; but differs greatly on a personal, karmic level.
Concluding the first chapter of Vimalakirti, Bob explores how Buddhism as a philosophy can explain why a being as powerful as the Buddha can't magically make the world perfect.
Bob explains how blind faith is considered irrational in Buddhism because it contends with our common sense; And why our convictions can keep us from being critical of reality.
Bob explains how Buddhism is more akin to realism than a religion; and how doubting everything is the key to understanding.
Bob explains how Vimilakirti describes the ultimate nature of non-duality; And what Buddhas have in common with coneheads.
Bob leads a meditation on viewing the teachings of Vimalakirti as a work of art; And why being asleep is a good way of being in the moment.
Bob explains the meaning of Vimilakirti's name; And how our health is really the balancing of our illnesses.
Bob explains the three types of wisdom according to the Mahayana tradition of Buddhism; And why Buddha was a scientist, not a prophet.
In this podcast, Bob guides a 20+ minute meditation on Vimalakirti's teaching entitled, The Consolation of The Invalids. Bob goes on to explain how we must accept the challenge of losing our sense of an absolutized-self if we wish to experience the true nature of reality.
Bob tells the story of the merchant's son, Sudatta, and his reluctance to see Vimilakirti because of what happened the last time.
Bob explains that freedom from dualism is understanding that ultimate reality is relatively real, ultimately un-real and relatively ultimate.
Bob explains how we make what is unreal real by believing everything is intrinsic in and of itself; thus separating ourselves from everything else in this world. Instead, Buddha teaches us that only non-perception allows one to see the true, non-dualistic world where we are all The One.
Bob explores how Buddhism perceives good and evil as that which causes happiness and that which causes suffering; And how, on a karmic level, murder is ultimately much worse for the killer than the killed.
Bob describes the Buddha's delivery of the Flower Ornament Sutra and how it creates a galactic parking problem. And, how taking refuge in the dharma really means taking refuge in reality, here and now.
Bob admits that the Inconceivable Liberation is hard for us to get because, from a traditional, linear view of causality, it's inconceivable. However, through our awareness of our own intrinsic freedom and the limitless power of our compassion, Bob teaches us we can and we must, both for ourselves and for all sentient beings.
Bob explains how Mahayapa has his vision of duality shattered by Vimalakirti by teaching him that even Mara, the Indian Satan, is a bodhisattva created in this form to teach others about their own negativity. And how giving away what we consider most precious is the only way to break the cycle of attachment that makes us suffer.
Bob describes a dialogue between Manjusri and Vimilakirti regarding the question of how one should love all sentient beings. In answering the question, Manjusri reveals the bedside manner of the Buddha as one that sees past the relative sickness and suffering of a being to the indestructible essence of their true health and happiness.
Bob describes a discourse given to Shari Putra by the goddess Prajna Paramita on the eight strange and wonderful things manifesting constantly that comprise the foundation of Tibetan Buddhist Culture; And how you can use these eight things to make your home and the world a mandala of positive thought.
Contrary to Western thought, Bob explains how our greatest treasure is really our generosity. It is the measure of one's willingness to give, even if they have nothing, that makes us feel good. And how we can create a higher pattern of habits by connecting our routine behaviors with that which is more profound and marvelous.
Bob describes the critical importance of imagination and inspiration necessary to take on the bodhisattva vow. Additionally, he explains how to overcome the obstacle that modern science offers to counter the common-sense knowledge of the soul's infinite continuity without surrendering to a religious belief in reincarnation.
Reading from The Holy Teaching of Vimilakirti, Bob explains how we can combine the everyday events of ordinary life with the beautiful, evolutionary purpose of our infinite being.
In this final teaching of the Vimilakirti series, Bob explains how Vimilakirti orders takeout from another universe made exclusively of exquisite scent; And how suffering helps us achieve Buddhahood faster by activating our compassion rather than our passion.
Dear longtime subscribers to The Bob Thurman Podcast,
I apologize for the double downloading of episodes in your feed reader (iTunes, etc). I had to remove the audio files off the original server as it became no longer available. There will be new podcasts coming soon but I wanted to put up all the old ones with the correct names, images and tags (something that has been requested since the podcast began). I did not want to lose longtime subscribers and have them miss out on the new episodes coming soon. All previous episodes of the podcast had to be re-uploaded to the new site and the new feed (that's really the old feed) which is the reason why you're getting double the episodes. A solution is to unsubscribe from the podcast temporarily.Then, check out bobthurmanpodcast.com to see when the new episodes have started. The next episode will be The Bob Thurman Podcast #73.If you have any questions or comments, please email me at bobthurmanpodcast [at] gmail.com.
Cheers,
Josh Davidow
In part two of this podcast, Bob further illuminates the concept of the mind of transcendent renunciation as opening your heart to reality and allowing the bliss of reality to be your heart. Recorded in Bhutan, November 2005.
(download)In this series of podcasts, Robert Thurman will discuss in detail the three stages of the Lam Rim. The first stage, renunciation, occurs upon recognition that the nature of all unenlightened life is suffering, from which one can generate a strong transcendence based on the determination to be free from suffering. Recorded at Tibet House US, October 18, 2006.
(download)
