Force For Good: Sci-Fi & The Vimalakīrti Sūtra – Ep. 129

August 13, 2017
Force For Good: Sci-Fi & The Vimalakīrti Sūtra – Ep. 129
Bob Thurman Podcast: Buddhas Have More Fun!
Force For Good: Sci-Fi & The Vimalakīrti Sūtra – Ep. 129

Aug 13 2017 |

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Show Notes

In this podcast Professor Robert AF Thurman discusses the classic British Sci-Fi Series ‘Dr. Who’ drawing parallels to the Buddhist text ‘The Vimalakirti Sutra’. Includes an in depth exploration of the Buddhist perspective of selflessness & non-dualism.

This talk was recorded during the 2016 Force For Good Class #6 at Tibet House US in New York City in February 2016.

Force For Good: Sci-Fi & The Vimalakīrti Sūtra with Dr Who & Bob Thurman Image Police Box

‘A Force For Good’ is a Tibet House US course to further the Dalai Lama’s contemporary world initiatives, from His Holiness’ American Institute of Buddhist Studies and Mind and Life science dialogues (Universe in a Single Atom) and His creation of Abhidharma 2.0 through the “Science for Monks” programs, his “secular ethics” (Ethics for the New Millennium and Beyond Religion), His nonviolent approach to conflict resolution, including His Nobel Peace Laureate activities to seek dialogue and a win-win reconciliation with China in the face of the ongoing ethnicidal policies in Tibet (Freedom in Exile and Man of Peace: The Illustrated Life Story) & along with his emphasis on positive activism (A New Reality: Charter of Universal Responsibility).

I think it is such a great sūtra, so beloved for thousands of years by millions of people, introducing them to Prajñāpāramitā sūtra teachings, Buddha-Avatamsaka sūtra teachings, Pure Land teachings, Jewel Heap sūtra collection teachings, and even, tangentially, to the esoteric teachings. I am delighted that more people around the world will get to meet Vimalakīrti and Mañjuśrī in dialogue.

Robert AF Thurman on the release of the 8400 Online Edition of The Vimalakīrti Sūtra

To read Professor Thurman’s translation online please visit: www.read.84000.co.

Watch a video preview of this week’s Bob Thurman Podcast on the Tibet House US YouTube Channel:

To watch the complete videos from past ‘Force for Good’ programs please visit the Tibet House US Member Archive, available to monthly supporters.

To join the on-going #ForceForGood series please visit: www.tibethouse.us.

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