Bob Thurman Podcast

"It's the moral high ground which is our only hope."

courtesy of bigthink.com

Robert Thurman at Skirball Cultural Center

Preeminent figures in the fields of religion and technology Dr. Robert Thurman and Dr. Danny Hillis engage in a thought-provoking conversation on scientific progress and its impact on society. Robert Thurman has cultivated a worldwide awareness of Tibet through his academic and popular writing, translation of important Buddhist texts, and commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to the China-Tibet conflict. Danny Hillis is a respected figure in the technology community. He is an inventor, scientist, author, and engineer. He holds more than eighty U.S. patents and is the designer of the 10,000-year mechanical clock. This program was presented in commemoration of the bicentennial, in February 2009, of Charles Darwin.

Robert Thurman at City Arts & Lectures

#72 The Bob Thurman Podcast

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.


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#71 The Bob Thurman Podcast

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.


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#70 The Bob Thurman Podcast

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.


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#69 The Bob Thurman Podcast

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.


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#68 The Bob Thurman Podcast

Bob describes a discourse given to Shari Putra by the goddess Prajñā 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.


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#67 The Bob Thurman Podcast

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.


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#66 The Bob Thurman Podcast

Bob explains how Mahākāśyapa 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.


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