The imagery of Tibetan tantric symbolism is potent and often shocking to those unfamiliar with the meanings of Buddhist art. In this podcast Professor Thurman explores how art is used in Buddhist Cultures as a way to stimulate the mind to develop the imagination needed to conceive of enlightenment & Buddhahood.
Using selections from the Tibet House US Repatriation + MET Collections Professor Thurman details the rituals, rites, and texts involved in the quest for spiritual detachment from the corporal body.
This recording is an excerpt from the Annual Lecture on South and Southeast Asian Art talk “Ritual in Contemplation: Text and Tools in Tantric Buddhism” given at The Metropolitan Museum in 2012.
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Thangka from ‘Tangkas Today: Masterpieces from the Dharmapala Thangka Center of Kathmandu‘ by Karsang Lama on display at Tibet House US March 10-May 11, 2017.
The song ‘Dancing Ling’ by Tenzin Choegyal from the album ‘Heart Sutra‘ (2004) by Ethno Super Lounge is used on the Bob Thurman Podcast with artist’s permission, all rights reserved.
In this podcast Robert A.F. Thurman addresses why the ancient teachings of Buddha and the yogic inner scientists of India and Tibet still find...
Exploring the history of the “Lam Rim: Stages of The Path” a collection of mind training teachings preserved in Tibet, Professor Thurman provides an...
In this episode Robert A.F. Thurman gives an introduction to the Buddhist system of three higher educations or trainings using the “Heart Sutra” as...