316. Robert Thurman

Robert A.F. Thurman is the Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies in the Department of Religion at Columbia University, President of the Tibet House U.S., a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Tibetan civilization, and President of the American Institute of Buddhist Studies, a non-profit affiliated with the Center for Buddhist Studies at Columbia University and dedicated to the publication of translations of important artistic and scientific treatises from the Tibetan Tengyur. TIME Magazine chose Professor Thurman as one of its 25 most influential Americans in 1997, describing him as a “larger than life scholar-activist destined to convey the Dharma, the precious teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha, from Asia to America.” The New York Times recently said Thurman “is considered the leading American expert on Tibetan Buddhism.” Thurman is known as a talented popularizer of the Buddha’s teachings. He is a riveting speaker and an author of many books on Tibet, Buddhism, art, politics, and culture, including: Man of Peace: The Illustrated Life Story of the Dalai Lama of Tibet. The Central Philosophy of Tibet Circling the Sacred Mountain: A Spiritual Adventure Through the Himalayas Essential Tibetan Buddhism The Tibetan Book of the Dead: Liberation Through Understanding in the Between Wisdom and Compassion The Sacred Art of Tibet Inner Revolution Infinite Life: Awakening to Bliss Within The Jewel Tree of Tibet: The Enlightenment Engine of Tibetan Buddhism Why the Dalai Lama Matters: His Act of Truth as the Solution for China, Tibet, and the World With Sharon Salzberg, Love Your Enemies: How to Break the Anger Habit & Be a Whole Lot Happier Website: bobthurman.com Podcast YouTube Channel Transcript of this interview Batgap interview with Robert Thurman and Isa Gucciardi. Recorded 10/25/2015 at the Science and Nonduality Conference. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Opening Chanting at the Conference 00:02:05 - Introduction of Bob Thurman 00:03:51 - The Eyes of the Dharma 00:05:04 - Tibet: The Repository of Indian Buddhism 00:06:58 - The Journey to Monkhood 00:09:07 - Awakening and Degrees of Enlightenment 00:11:39 - The Inexpressible State of Enlightenment 00:14:39 - Attaining Nirvana and Reintegrating Memory 00:16:47 - The Wisdom of Vajrayana and the Bar for Enlightenment 00:19:05 - The Role of Gods in Buddhist Beliefs 00:21:14 - The Power of Inner Peace for World Peace 00:23:31 - The Awakening of Empowerment and Fear 00:26:20 - Hope for Minority People in China 00:29:00 - The Dalai Lama's Joke about a Woman Dalai Lama 00:31:04 - Democracy versus Tyranny 00:33:10 - Thich Nhat Hanh's Perspective on Compassion and Empathy 00:34:25 - The Happiness Revolution 00:36:11 - Cultivating a "Die-gasm" Outlook 00:37:44 - The Incompetence of Leadership 00:39:00 - The Laissez-faire Capitalist Cycle 00:40:01 - The Pressure of Population Growth and the Need for Change 00:41:38 - The Epidemic of Spiritual Awakening 00:43:15 - Divine Intervention and Buddhist Angels 00:44:53 - The Power of Enlightened Beings and Compassion 00:46:31 - Upholding Dharma and Destroying the Wicked 00:47:51 - Nonduality and Rebirth 00:48:56 - Different Traditions, Different Meanings 00:50:19 - Compassion and Love for Every Being 00:51:32 - The Misunderstanding of Enlightenment and Extinction 00:52:51 - Non-duality of Wisdom and Compassion 00:54:13 - A Tesla for Buddha Save Save