In this episode, filmed in Sarnath, India, I am joined by Doug Nurnberg, a close student of Tarthang Tulku for over 50 years and project manager and board member of the Sarnath International Nyingma Institute (SINI).

Doug recalls his childhood in a conservative farming family in Kansas, how an out of body experience saw him embark on a search for meaning, and why he sometimes thinks of himself as an “accidental Buddhist”.

Doug describes his 50 year discipleship under Tarthang Tulku; recounts stories of conflict, trust, and unusual teaching methods; and reveals his impressions of the personality and capabilities of Tarthang Tulku the man.

Doug also reflects on work ethic as a path to enlightenment, why he has deferred meditation practice to preserve Tibetan culture and further the aims of his teacher, and the role of esoteric geomancy in the building of grand stupas and statues around the world.

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep355-the-accidental-buddhist-doug-nurnberg

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

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Topics include:

00:00 - Intro

01:02 - Tour of the Sarnath International Nyingma Institute

09:45 - Library and scripture collections

12:54 - Books by Tarthang Tulku

13:27 - Revelations of Mind

14:39 - Deferring practice to preserve the Tibetan culture

16:30 - Setting up a printing press at Ratna Ling

17:55 - Doug’s childhood in Kansas

19:47 - Accidental Buddhist

20:30 - Excellence in athletics

21:39 - Winning the national championship and an out of body experience

24:16 - Searching for meaning

25:41 - Meeting Tarthang Tulku

28:29 - Conflicts during construction projects for Tarthang Tulku

34:29 - Horses and Tarthang Tulku’s teaching methods

37:59 - Permaculture projects

42:17 - Work ethic as a path to enlightenment

46:04 - Tarthang Tulku’s individualised teaching style

48:37 - Why such grand scale projects?

52:36 - Geomancy and sacred building projects

56:29 - Difficult relationship with Tarthang Tulku

01:01:33 - Leaving in frustration for 10 years

01:03:22 - Family obligations

01:05:37 - Political instability in America

01:08:12 - Family concern about Doug’s involvement with Tarthang Tulku

01:10:40 - Tarthang Tulku the man

01:14:59 - Devotion to the guru

01:17:19 - Tarthang Tulku’s unusual capacities

01:21:21 - Doug’s understanding of Buddhist doctrine

01:27:36 - Gratitude to Tarthang Tulku

01:29:56 - Thinking about death

01:31:14 - Does Doug want to be enlightened?

01:33:19 - Buddhism is a natural state

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To find our more about Doug Nurnberg, visit:

- https://www.sinibridge.org/team-member/doug-nurnberg/

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- https://www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James