In this episode I am joined by Tulku Sherab Dorje, Buddhist teacher, translator, and author of scholarly and popular books about Tibetan Buddhism.

Tulku Sherdor recounts his unusual childhood and past-life proclivities, his graduation from Columbia Law School and subsequent elite level law practice, and years of spiritual retreat under masters of Tibetan Buddhist lineages.

Tulku Sherdor explores the creative tension between cynicism and devotion, the use of humour in scripture and spiritual teaching, and the importance of reinvesting one’s merit with the inspiration of bodhicitta.

Tulku Sherdor also reflects on what it takes to be an effective translator, whether critical scholarship is a threat to religious faith, and the pros and cons of the tulku system from his position as a recognised reincarnation.

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Link in bio.

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

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Topics include:

00:00 - Intro

01:34 - Why write about one’s spiritual life?

04:48 - Humour and literary conventions of self-diminishment

06:20 - Self promotion and the marketplace of ideas

08:33 - Cynicism, devotion, and humour in relationship with gurus

11:46 - Buddha’s humour in the sutras

13:53 - Tulku Sherdor’s family background and unusual childhood behaviours

15:20 - Jewish diaspora and resonance with the Tibetan diaspora

17:36 Awakening of existential questioning

18:57 -Child psychologist’s advice to Tulku Sherdor

19:54 - Past life explanation and how to invest your merit

24:24 - How to use your freedoms and advantages

25:22 - Tulku Sherdor expresses gladness about his life’s work

26:52 - Are there dedicated practitioners?

27:49 - Tulku Sherdor’s unique combination of successes

28:53 - Benefits of being a well trained lawyer

29:46 - Important writing lessons learned at Columbia Law School and during law career

32:59 - Hypercriticism of other translators

34:00 - Serving the lineage with high standards

35:44 - Praise for Erik Pema Kunsang and Thinley Norbu

38:11 - Advice for writers and translators

41:12 - Dual-language immersion

42:23 - Translator disillusionment and historical perspective

46:46 - Cultural naivety and the published word

48:41 - Is critical scholarship a threat to sacred texts and religious faith?

53:16 - Advice about how to learn Tibetan

55:31 - Pros and cons of training at Harvard University and the Rangjung Yeshe Institute

56:46 - Advice for graduates of elite academic programs

01:00:39 - Sanskrit and Chinese

01:02:33 - The Amazon monster and Tulku Sherdor’s books

01:05:10 - Remembering past lives

01:08:44 - Carrying qualities into your next life

01:09:15 - Tulku Sherdor reflects on his childhood Dharmic tendencies

01:10:55 - Being a tulku

01:14:21 - Tulku Sherdor reflects on the tulku system

01:15:58 - Concluding remarks

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To find our more about Tulku Sherdor, visit:

- https://blazingwisdom.org/tulku-sherab-dorje/

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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- https://www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James