During a recent trip to Nepal, I met with frequent podcast guest Lama Glenn Mullin, spiritual teacher, Tibetologist, and author of over 30 books on Buddhism.

Glenn was in Kathmandu to lead a group of over fifty pilgrims into tantric retreat in the nearby mountains and graciously agreed to film with me at various sacred sites before and after their retreat.

In this video, Glenn and I travel to Swayambhu Stūpa, a sacred monument venerated by both Buddhists and Hindus. First, we circumambulate the base of the hill. Then Glenn is joined by some of his students and ascends the hill to the main stūpa.

Along the way, Glenn explains the history of the site as well as the symbolism of its architecture, sacred statues, and inscriptions. Glenn also discusses Shaivite and Tantric Buddhist relations and their shared power centres, the three kāyas and the tulku tradition, and the use of psychoactive substances such as soma in spiritual practice.

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep285-swayambhu-stpa-lama-glenn-mullin

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

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Topics include:

00:00 - Intro

01:10 - History of Swayambhu

04:07 - Recent development at Swayambhu

07:32 - Glenn jokes with the ladies of the cleaning team

09:29 - Legendary origins of the Tibetan people

10:52 - The Tamang people

11:28 - Maoist mountain guerrilla activities

14:51 - Je Tsongkhapa statue

15:28 - The death of the Buddha and the 8 Great Stūpas

16:54 - Glenn explains mantras of compassion, wisdom, and power

17:45 - Sang offerings and sang kilns

19:50 - On Bodhi trees

20:52 - Shaivite and Buddhist relationships and shared power centres

22:29 - Shiva Babas, chillum smoking, and use of drugs in spiritual practice

24:04 - 5 ways to generate clairvoyant power

24:38 - Buddhist use of mind-altering substances and sacraments

26:00 - Bengali masters in Swayambhu

26:56 - Religious exclusivity

29:01 - Use of substances such as soma in tantric Buddhism

31:08 - Nagi Gompa and Tulku Urgyen’s sons

33:10 - Circumambulating a perimeter stūpa

35:09 - The cultural significance of circumambulation

36:00 - Bönpo Triten Norbutse Monastery and dark retreat

37:02 - Teaching on the 3 kāyas

39:29 - Explanation of the tulku tradition

43:44 - Further explanation of the 3 kāyas in terms of method and enlightenment

46:53 - Meaning of offering butter lamps

48:45 - Glenn’s practice of giving money to beggars

51:10 - The monkey temple

52:05 - Exponential merit during Saga Dawa

53:52 - Ritualised scripture recitals

55:01 - Carving sacred mantras and symbols on slate

57:17 - The power of statues and temples

59:07 - The meaning of “Swayambhu”

01:01:11 - Explanation of stūpa design

01:02:36 - Explanation of dharmaśālās

01:05:10 - Buddhas past, present, and future; and the spread of Buddhism

01:10:14 - Teaching on the 5 animals

01:13:04 - Circumambulating the main stūpa

01:15:02 - Mantra and prayer offering site for protection of babies

01:16:14 - Teaching on the five elements and transforming emotions

01:18:07 - Challenging spiritual elitism

01:19:42 - Legends of previous Buddhas’ visits to Swayambhu

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Previous episodes with Lama Glenn Mullin:

- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=glenn%20mullin

To find out more about Lama Glenn Mullin, visit:

- http://www.glennmullin.com/

- https://www.facebook.com/Maitripa.Glenn

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Thanks to Norbu Samphel for checking my translation of the Tibetan language section.