Science Fiction as Sadhana : Buddhist Inner Sciences

Recounting stories from his last day teaching at Columbia University Robert AF Thurman opens this two part podcast with a discussion of Tsongkhapa’s “Essence of True Eloquence“, popularly known to Tibetans and those studying the Centralist Mind Training texts as “Tsongkhapa’s Iron Bow” due to it’s complexity as the ground for an in depth examination of the nature of Buddhahood + the subtle body system.

Providing a brief history of the Lam Rim: Stages of The Path teachings Professor in this podcast uses Vesna Wallace’s translation of “The Kālacakra Tantra: The Chapter on Sadhana” as a guide laying out the background and context of initiations + sadhana practices encountered when studying Tantric Buddhism.

Podcast includes a discussion of the Twenty Emptiness, The Dalai Lama’s First Incarnation, The Kings of Shambhala and a beginner’s lesson on Buddhist Non-Dualism.

Second half of the podcast is a traditional Dharma teaching on the Three Bodies of the Buddha (Dharmakaya, Sambhogakaya & Nirmanakaya) and how the science fiction genre, through it’s incarnations on screens, in the pages of books and in popular imagination is a modern form of societal sadhana allowing collective visualization of possible futures and as a way to unlock the human potential hinted at in Buddhist Tantra.

“Science Fiction as Sadhana” is apart of the Buddhist Inner Sciences 101 Podcast Series taken from the Bob Thurman & Tibet House US archives which are intended to provide an introduction to the yogic, meditative & theoretical practices of the tradition. These recordings are intended to be general overviews & one should be studying with a qualified teacher before attempting or engaging in the practices.