In this episode, filmed on location in Boudhanath, Kathmandu, I am joined by Naljorma Tsül'dzin, an internationally acclaimed performance artist and ordained apprentice in the Aro gTer sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

Tsül'dzin recalls her childhood in rural Ireland, early cultural and occult explorations, substance abuse and recovery, and her international career as a performance artist under the name “Kira O’Reilly”.

Tsül'dzin traces her history with the Aro gTer sect of Tibetan Buddhism, from first encounter to full ordination, reveals her religious robes and the reactions they provoke, and explains her ongoing fascination with the Great Stupa in Kathmandu.

Tsül'dzin also considers the intersection of art and religious expression, the tension between practice and performance, ritual and spectacle, and reflects on her long-standing work with Serbian conceptual and performance artist Marina Abramović.

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep264-vajrayana-performance-art-naljorma-tsldzin

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

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Topics include:

00:00 - Intro

01:04 - Inspiring example of Jomo Samphel Dechen Rinpoche

06:30 - Working with body and physicality as a practitioner

09:34 - Childhood in Catholic rural Ireland

11:55 - The 80s goth scene

12:43 - Linda Montano’s insight on Tsül'dzin and subcultures

14:07 - Occult explorations

15:09 - Substance abuse and entering recovery

16:29 - Studying fine art at university

17:36 - Encountering the Aro gTer Buddhist sect

20:22 - Group practice format in the Aro gTer

22:44 - Attraction to the Aro gTer

23:37 - Internationally acclaimed performance art career

29:08 - Deepening Buddhist practice

30:47 - Ordination and Kathmandu

31:28 - Performance art and religious ritual

32:50 - Meeting Marina Abramović

35:25 - The Golden Bough and ritual as performance art

36:16 - Working with Marina Abramović

37:50 - Performing at Marina Abramović’ recent London retrospective at the Royal Academy of Art

39:16 - West/East influence

41:34 - Marina Abramović as a teacher

43:45 - Wearing religious robes

44:48 - Conversations arising from wearing robes in public

47:08 - Explaining the colour scheme

49:56 - Robes and participation

53:00 - Fasting and preparing for the 12-day Royal Academy performance

57:41 - Street Dog Care

58:43 - Reflecting on spiritual experiences

01:00:20 - Time and space

01:02:27 - Why spend so much time in Boudha?

01:06:22 - Practice vs spectacle

01:07:15 - Prostrations

01:08:08 - Art and the Aro gTer

01:09:44 - Secular vs religious art

01:12:04 - Disappointment with Western Buddhist art

01:14:08 - Recommendations for when visiting Boudha

01:14:36 - How to have impromptu conversations

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Boudhanath Interviews playlist:

- https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknwvU82dU487LhF_mF4AkGek&si=gFGJpi-fnLtxeyZ5

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To find our more about Naljorma Tsül'dzin, visit:

- https://www.instagram.com/naljormatsuldzin/

- https://www.kiraoreilly.com/

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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- https://www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James