The Bob Thurman Podcast

#72 The Bob Thurman Podcast

bobthurmanpodcast@gmail.com (Bob Thurman) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:30:04 GMT

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.

#71 The Bob Thurman Podcast

bobthurmanpodcast@gmail.com (Bob Thurman) — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 08:02:31 GMT

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.

#70 The Bob Thurman Podcast

bobthurmanpodcast@gmail.com (Bob Thurman) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 09:07:50 GMT

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.

#69 The Bob Thurman Podcast

bobthurmanpodcast@gmail.com (Bob Thurman) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 02:15:32 GMT

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.

#68 The Bob Thurman Podcast

bobthurmanpodcast@gmail.com (Bob Thurman) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 22:18:32 GMT

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.

#67 The Bob Thurman Podcast

bobthurmanpodcast@gmail.com (Bob Thurman) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 21:16:11 GMT

Bob describes a dialogue between Manjusri and Vimalakirti 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.

#66 The Bob Thurman Podcast

bobthurmanpodcast@gmail.com (Bob Thurman) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 09:45:12 GMT

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.

#65 The Bob Thurman Podcast

bobthurmanpodcast@gmail.com (Bob Thurman) — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 02:38:29 GMT

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.

#64 The Bob Thurman Podcast

bobthurmanpodcast@gmail.com (Bob Thurman) — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 06:43:47 GMT

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.

#63 The Bob Thurman Podcast

bobthurmanpodcast@gmail.com (Bob Thurman) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 07:34:52 GMT

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.

#62 The Bob Thurman Podcast

bobthurmanpodcast@gmail.com (Bob Thurman) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 05:21:53 GMT

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.'

#61 The Bob Thurman Podcast

bobthurmanpodcast@gmail.com (Bob Thurman) — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:25:43 GMT

Bob explains that freedom from dualism is understanding that ultimate reality is relatively real, ultimately un-real and relatively ultimate.

#60 The Bob Thurman Podcast

bobthurmanpodcast@gmail.com (Bob Thurman) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:41:22 GMT

Bob tells the story of the merchant's son, Sudatta, and his reluctance to see Vimalakirti because of what happened the last time.

#59 The Bob Thurman Podcast

bobthurmanpodcast@gmail.com (Bob Thurman) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:17:02 GMT

In this audio-only 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.

#58 The Bob Thurman Podcast

bobthurmanpodcast@gmail.com (Bob Thurman) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:16:33 GMT

Bob explains the three types of wisdom according to the Mahayana tradition of Buddhism; And why Buddha was a scientist, not a prophet.

#57 The Bob Thurman Podcast

bobthurmanpodcast@gmail.com (Bob Thurman) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 14:58:43 GMT

Bob explains the meaning of Vimalakirti's name; And how our "health" isreally the balancing of our illnesses.

#56 The Bob Thurman Podcast

bobthurmanpodcast@gmail.com (Bob Thurman) — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 11:51:01 GMT

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.

#55 The Bob Thurman Podcast

bobthurmanpodcast@gmail.com (Bob Thurman) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 01:06:36 GMT

Bob explains how Vimalakirti describes the ultimate nature of non-duality; And what Buddhas have in common with coneheads.

#54 The Bob Thurman Podcast

bobthurmanpodcast@gmail.com (Bob Thurman) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:40:39 GMT

Bob explains how Buddhism is more akin to realism than a religion; and how doubting everything is the key to understanding.

#53 The Bob Thurman Podcast

bobthurmanpodcast@gmail.com (Bob Thurman) — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 18:27:44 GMT

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.

#52 The Bob Thurman Podcast

bobthurmanpodcast@gmail.com (Bob Thurman) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 02:17:59 GMT

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.

#51 The Bob Thurman Podcast

bobthurmanpodcast@gmail.com (Bob Thurman) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 01:33:54 GMT

Continuing with the teaching of Vimalakirti, Bob explains how the Buddhist theory of evolution is similar to Darwin's; but differs greatly on a personal, karmic level.

#50 The Bob Thurman Podcast

bobthurmanpodcast@gmail.com (Bob Thurman) — Tue, 27 May 2008 15:42:28 GMT

Continuing with the teaching of Vimalakirti, Bob introduces Shari Putra, who delineates the differences between Vedanta, dualistic, and Mahayana, non-dual, traditions of Buddhism.

#49 The Bob Thurman Podcast

bobthurmanpodcast@gmail.com (Bob Thurman) — Mon, 12 May 2008 02:31:15 GMT

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.

#48 The Bob Thurman Podcast

bobthurmanpodcast@gmail.com (Bob Thurman) — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:38:48 GMT

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. Recorded at Tibet House U.S., March, 2007.