In this episode I join Charles Manson in Oxford, England to visit the Bodleian Library (Oxford University) where he is the specialist librarian for its Tibetan Collections.

Charles leads us through the streets of Oxford to visit the old Bodleian Library, founded in 1602. Then we arrive at the Weston Library to explore its collection of Tibetan manuscripts.

Charles guides us through gold lettered texts about Lamdre and expiation, describes the process of textual revelation known as “terma”, and shares a warning based on his own experiences of dark retreat.

Charles explains the Tibetan doctrines of the afterlife while showing a rare copy of the Tibetan Book of the Dead, muses on Coleridge’s advice for visiting a library, and reflects on why he believes converts to Tibetan Buddhism should attempt to learn the Tibetan language.

Charles also details his working routine as a librarian and archivist, reflects on his own academic journey from SOAS to Harvard and Oxford, and considers the role his religious faith plays in his work with Tibetan texts.

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep332-oxford-librarian-of-tibet-charles-manson

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

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Topics include:

00:00 - Intro

01:16 - The old Bodleian

03:25 - Entering the Weston Library

06:13 - Retrieving the texts

06:48 - The Driver collection

08:29 - Close look at a Lamdre text

12:33 - Features of a terma treasure text

13:14 - Mind vs earth termas

15:15 - How termas are composed

15:51 - Charles’ terma experience

16:54 - 4 ways of changing the mind

17:30 - Expanding a terma

18:02 - The Driver collection

19:00 - Dakini script and images

20:52 - Manuscript care

21:20 - Unwrapping a text, discovering a washing prayer

22:30 - More texts

24:50 - The Tibetan Book of the Dead

26:03 - Bardo doctrine of 49 days between lives

26:24 - Opportunities for liberation at and after death

27:43 - How to use the Tibetan Book of the Dead

28:39 - The process of rebirth

29:48 - Liberation upon hearing

30:18 - Phowa practice for the dead

33:16 - Dark retreat as preparation for death

34:11 - Dark retreat warnings

35:40 - Charles’ studies at SOAS, Harvard, and Oxford

38:45 - Beginning at the Bodleian Library

39:58 - Coleridge on libraries

41:15 - Work at the British Library

41:46 - Why Charles would like more time

43:06 - First days at the Bodleian Library

44:36 - Initial work on the collection

45:27 - The Library of Congress and other partnerships

50:59 - Range of acquisitions

52:46 - Tibetan medical writing

53:41 - Access and the goals of Charles’ library acquisitions

57:14 - What would Charles do with more funding

01:01:41 - Providing online access for the world

01:03:32 - Day in the life at the Bodleian Library

01:06:33 - Importance of specialist knowledge

01:09:19 - Charles’ religious devotion

01:13:45 - Separation of religion and scholarship

01:14:53 - Why converts should learn the Tibetan language

01:16:43 - Scholar practitioners and the importance of study

01:18:17 - Teaching the Tibetan language

01:19:02 - Curation as religious service

01:19:17 - Charles’ invitation to viewers

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Previous episode with Charles Manson:

- https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep243-scholar-practitioner-charles-manson

To find our more about Charles Manson, visit:

- https://www.shambhala.com/authors/the-second-karmapa-karma-pakshi.html

- https://uk.linkedin.com/in/charles-manson-07420911

- [email protected]

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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- www.guruviking.com

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Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James