Opening this two part podcast detailing the Buddhist concept of Dharma, Robert Thurman introduces the Ten Paramitas through a discussion of art, creativity, stories from the Dalai Lama’s dialogs with Western creatives and depictions of the Buddha’s smile.

Podcast includes: an in-depth exploration of the artfulness of the Seventh Paramita: Upāya (Skillful Means or Liberative Art), the relationship of bliss to beauty, the imaginative inspiration found in the “Flower Ornament Sutra”, the nature of Buddhahood, the role of artist as Bodhisattva and the inevitability of every being becoming a Buddha in our infinite, interconnected universe.

Second half of podcast begins with Professor Thurman giving a teaching on past life, reincarnation and the Buddha’s spiritual evolutionary biology accessed through the development of wisdom, compassion and the practice of generosity.

Podcast concludes with a reading of the poetry of Susan Griffin by Gary Gach. .

Photo by Alice Achterhof on Unsplash

“Buddhism for Artists : Behind the Buddha’s Smile” of the Bob Thurman Podcast was recorded the Artist and Buddhist Contemplatives Retreat at Garrison Institute in 2015..

The Artist and Buddhist Contemplatives project was founded to explore Buddhist and art practices. Begun in 2012 the project’s goal is to bring artists together to meet, collaborate, and inspire one another, and to mentor emerging artists. The gatherings explore Buddhism and art, and how both can serve the world.

Gary Gregory Gach is an author, translator, and editor living in San Francisco. A dynamic speaker and teacher in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh’s Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism his works include the anthology “What Book!? Buddha Poems from Beat to Hiphop” and the forthcoming “Pause Breathe Smile – Awakening Mindfulness When Meditation is Not Enough”.

Susan Griffin is a Poet, essayist, and playwright born Los Angeles in 1943, she has written over twenty books, including non-fiction, poetry and plays. Her work addresses many social and political issues, social justice, the oppression of women, ecology, war and peace, economic inequities and democracy. She and her work have been given many awards, among them a Guggenheim Foundation Award and an Emmy.

“Compassionate Bliss of the Artist – Ep. 186” of the Bob Thurman Podcast was brought to you in part by The