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 episode Robert Thurman celebrates summer solstice by sharing updates about his latest book, "Wisdom Is Bliss: Four Friendly Fun Facts That Can...
Teaching to students of film, theater and the visual arts during a recent online gathering with UCLA Professor Peter Sellars, Robert Thurman leads an...
The Buddha’s core teachings call for a series of revolutions in the individual’s perspective which then affect the surrounding community, culture & society in...