As the first westerner to be ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist monk, Robert Thurman has worked tirelessly to support His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso’s efforts to re-establish and preserve Tibetan Buddhism in exile. As part of that effort, he co-founded Tibet House U.S. in 1987 at the request of His Holiness. In this talk, he speaks about the history of these efforts, and discusses how vital the preservation of this unique wisdom system is to the world. In presenting the history of Tibet, he demonstrates how Buddhism transformed a culture of warring nomads into a culture primarily devoted to the cultivation and dissemination of peace, vitality, and wisdom. He speaks about the relevance of such a trajectory in the modern time and argues that this example must remain in contemporary discourse to help the world emerge out of the culture of war that dominates the current (modern) political landscape. His vision of how key elements of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, Tibetan medicine, and Tibetan art can offer an elixir to a world out of balance is as inspiring as it is.
The true nature of our mind is brilliant, clear, and joyful. But we don't experience this reality amid the swirl of stresses, thoughts, and emotions of day-to-day life. This talk will offer practical suggestions on uncovering our naturally comfortable state of mind and reconnecting with the uncon...
The Buddha taught that truth and liberation are to be found not in complex philosophies, but rather in our bodies, each other, and in the natural world around us. More recent discoveries in the field of neuroscience have not only confirmed this truth, but have helped further the conversation. In ...
In the midst of the mindfulness revolution and on the cusp of the new age of loving kindness, many who encounter the colorful imagery, prayerful chanting, and ritualized breath-work of the Hindu and Buddhist Tantras find themselves challenged. Given the rich symbolism and complexity of these prac...
