Professor Thurman in this two part episode distills the complexities of Buddhist esoteric history into an engaging introduction to the Buddha's joy and teachings for those of all backgrounds.


Introducing the retreat study practices of Tsong Khapa Robert A.F. Thurman uses The Garland of Buddhas Sutra (brilliantly translated from the Chinese by Tom Cleary as The Flower Ornament Sutra) to give a short history of the schools and groups transmitting the Buddha's teachings on wisdom and compassion.


Podcast includes : an introduction to the Kalachakra Tantra's perspective on time, a re-telling of the Buddha's encounter with a Jain seeker directly after his own enlightenment, but before he gave the "Four Noble Truths", a discussion of the student teacher relationship in Buddhism focusing on the tradition of Kalyāṇamitra (spiritual friend) as taught by Shāntideva, Atisha and passed down by the Panchen and Dalai Lamas of Tibet.


Second half of the podcast opens with an in-depth explanation of Manjushri, Avalokiteshvara and Vajrapani and an introduction to the omnipresent and omni-competent nature of the Buddhas and Bodhisatvas who assist all beings.


Episode concludes with a reading of the work of Juan Felipe Herrera by Gary Gach.



Buddha’s Joy : Exploring Buddhist Tantra – Ep. 220 of the Bob Thurman Podcast Wheel of Life Image by Tenzing Rigdol.



Buddha’s Joy : Exploring Buddhist Tantra – Ep. 220 of the Bob Thurman Podcast is excerpted from a series of talks given to the public assembled from Europe and the Russias, during the afternoon after the inspiration of H. H. the Dalai Lama’s morning teachings, recorded in Riga, Latvia, 2018.