The Wisdom Podcast

This Wisdom Podcast episode, recorded live as a Wisdom Dharma Chat, features special guests Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, Justin Kelley, and Sandra Fernandez. They share how Tergar Institute is bringing traditional Buddhist teaching into daily modern life. Rinpoche shares his examples from his wandering retreat, including a near-death experience and how it impacted his view of the world. They also explore the Nalanda framework of view, meditation, and application, and how Tergar Institute condenses traditional scholarship and practice into an intensive cohort model while also pointing to at-home practice options through Tergar programs.

They also discuss: 

Links from this episode:

The views and opinions expressed on this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Wisdom Publications or any entities they represent.

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This Wisdom Podcast episode features special guest Venerable Bhikkhu Anālayo. Venerable Anālayo is a scholar of early Buddhism and a meditation teacher. He completed his PhD research on the Satipaṭṭhānasutta at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, in 2000 and his habilitation research with a comparative study of the Majjhimanikāya in light of its Chinese, Sanskrit, and Tibetan parallels at the University of Marburg, Germany, in 2007. His over five hundred publications are for the most part based on comparative studies. In this episode, host Daniel Aitken and Venerable discuss Venerable’s book The Perfection Of Wisdom In First Bloom. They also explore the Bodhisattva path, Venerable shares his mindfulness detour in the USA, and together they touch upon the debate of the origins of Mahayana Buddhism. 

They also discuss: 

Wisdom Podcast listeners are invited to save 30% on The Perfection Of Wisdom In First Bloom with code WPODBLOOM through October 30.

The views and opinions expressed on this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Wisdom Publications or any entities they represent.

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This Wisdom Podcast episode, recorded live as a Dharma Chat, features special guest Thupten Jinpa. Join Jinpa and host Daniel Aitken as they discuss Jinpa’s newest Wisdom Academy online course, The Nature of Reality. Journey into the nature of reality and emptiness with the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Jinpa contrasts the “mundane,” unexamined view with the yogi’s disciplined inquiry into appearance and reality, explaining how grasping and belief in a true self arise through mental interpretation. They also address debates about Madhyamaka “relinquishing views,” emptiness of emptiness, how realizations of emptiness can make appearances feel illusion-like, and so much more. 

Jinpa and Daniel also discuss: 

Mentioned in the episode:

Explore further with Jinpa’s latest release, Bodhisattva Awakening, translated by Julia Stenzel, edited and introduced by Thupten Jinpa.

Wisdom Podcast listeners are invited to save 20% on Jinpa’s course The Nature of Reality with code WPODNOR through October 10.

The views and opinions expressed on this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Wisdom Publications or any entities they represent.

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This Wisdom Podcast episode, recorded live as a Dharma Chat, features special guest, His Eminence Gyalwa Dokhampa. His Eminence oversees 32 Drukpa lineage centers worldwide and authored The Resting Mind. In this episode, host Daniel Aitken and His Eminence discuss the path of courage, impermanence, equanimity, and Vajrayana practice in everyday life. They also explore the themes and lessons His Eminence learned from the King Gesar epics and how to bring these teachings into our daily rituals. Discover how your practice and shifting your perspective train awareness and can help bring about the restful mind. 

His Eminence and Daniel also discuss: 

Be sure to check out His Eminence Gyalwa Dokhampa’s Restful Mind app, available on iOS and Android at: restful-mind-00fa12.webflow.io

Stay up to date with His Eminence’s activities:

Listen to The Restful Mind Podcast:

The views and opinions expressed on this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Wisdom Publications or any entities they represent.

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This Wisdom Podcast episode, recorded live as a Dharma Chat, features the newly enthroned abbot of Gyuto Tantric Monastery H. E. Khangser Rinpoche. Take a look inside as Rinpoche and host Daniel Aitken discuss monastic life inside Gyuto Monastery. Explore the role Gyuto Monastery plays in the Gelugpa tradition. Learn about the duties of an abbot and discover the path from abbot to Ganden Tripa. Rinpoche and Daniel then transition to discussing Tsongkhapa’s yogic life, the values of analytical meditation, and so much more! 

In this episode, Rinpoche and Daniel also discuss: 

Mentioned in this episode:

The views and opinions expressed on this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Wisdom Publications or any entities they represent.

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In celebration of our fourth Wisdom Academy online course with Thupten Jinpa, launching September 25, we’re re-releasing this special episode. Originally released as episode 109 in April 2021.  

In Jinpa’s new course, The Nature of Reality in the Four Schools of Buddhist Philosophy, you will discover each school’s core arguments and increasingly refined accounts of reality. In the end, you’ll deepen your understanding of grasping, emptiness, and how view is brought into meditation and action. The course also includes 3 live Q&As with Jinpa. 

Through August 14, you can save $120 and watch lesson 1 right away. To get your discount code, visit: wisdomexperience.org/preview-nature-reality/

This episode, recorded live as a Wisdom Dharma Chat, features a conversation with guest Thupten Jinpa Langri. Join us as we celebrate the release of Jinpa’s translation of Tsongkhapa’s Illuminating the Intent.

Topics discussed include the significance of this text, common misunderstandings of Nāgārjuna’s Madhyamaka, some of Tsongkhapa’s most important ideas and philosophies, and much more.

The views and opinions expressed on this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Wisdom Publications or any entities they represent.

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This episode of the Wisdom Podcast, recorded live as a Wisdom Dharma Chat, features special guest Ācārya Malcolm Smith. In this episode, hosted by Daniel Aitken, Malcolm answers questions from his Wisdom Academy course The Nine Yānas. Together, they unpack some key terms of Dzogchen such as dharmatā, dharmadhātu, and dharmakāya. Exploring the concepts of emptiness, pristine consciousness, and direct perception from a Dzogchen perspective.

Malcolm and Daniel also discuss: 

Additional content mentioned in this episode:

Wisdom Podcast listeners are invited to save 20% off the Wisdom Academy Course The Nine Yanas with code WPODYana through August 21.

The views and opinions expressed on this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Wisdom Publications or any entities they represent.

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This episode of the Wisdom Podcast, recorded live as a Wisdom Dharma Chat, features special guest Venerable Robina Courtin. Join Venerable and host Daniel Aitken as they discuss Lama Yeshe’s teachings and discovering your true nature. Dive deep into an understanding of your mind and contrast Mahāmudrā’s experiential approach with theory-first methods. Challenge your understanding of mental consciousness, conceptual construction, and explore the links between contact, feeling, attachment, and karma. They also celebrate the release of the Wisdom Academy Course Mahāmudrā: Lama Yeshe’s Teachings on Discovering Your True Nature. 

Venerable and Daniel also discuss: 

Additional content mentioned in this episode:

Wisdom Podcast listeners are invited to save 20% off Mahāmudrā: Lama Yeshe’s Teachings on Discovering Your True Nature with code WPODIAM through July 27.

The views and opinions expressed on this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Wisdom Publications or any entities they represent.

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This episode of the Wisdom Podcast, recorded as a Wisdom Dharma Chat, features special guests H. E. Serkong Tsenshap Rinpoche, Atisha Mathur, and Fabrizio Pallotti. Together with host Daniel Aitken, they tackle the topic of Buddhist education in the modern world. Discussing the value of rigorous critical thinking in improving Western Dharma study. How students can benefit from collaboration such as the collaboration with Serkong Institute, Association Manjushri Lotsaw, and University of Pisa to bring traditional Buddhist academic structure to Western academia. They also discuss Rinpoche’s course with Wisdom Academy, The Debate Between Wisdom and Ignorance. 

They also discuss

The debate videos referenced in the episode can be viewed in the original Dharma Chat from minutes 40:22 to 41:11 here.

Additional content mentioned in this episode:

Wisdom Podcast listeners are invited to save 20% off The Debate Between Wisdom and Ignorance with code WPODDEBATE through July 13.

The views and opinions expressed on this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Wisdom Publications or any entities they represent.

H. E. Serkong Tsenshap Rinpoche was born in the Spiti valley, in India, in 1984. At the age of two, Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche II (1984 – present) pointed to the photo of the recently deceased Assistant Tutor of the 14th Dalai Lama and said, “That’s me!” When he was about three years old he was recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the incarnation of Kyabje Tsenshap Serkong Tugse Rinpoche (1914-1983), who was one of the seven master debate partners to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Rinpoche began his Buddhist studies and training at Ganden Jangtse Monastery in South India. After deciding to continue his work for the Dharma as a lay person, he completed his education at the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics in Dharamsala. On the advice of the Dalai Lama, Rinpoche completed three years of intensive study of English in Canada. Rinpoche teaches at Dharma Centers around the world, combining his experience of the study and practice of Buddhism with his acquaintance with the Western world. His fascinating teachings are full of wisdom, grace, and humor. Rinpoche feels privileged to continue the responsibilities of Tsenshap Serkong Tugse Rinpoche to teach and benefit people as much as he can.

Dr. Atisha Mathur was born and brought up in New Delhi, India. He pursued his undergraduate studies in Language and Literature of South Asia, with a focus on Tibetan studies, at the esteemed Orientale in Naples, Italy. His scholarly pursuits led him to the Central University of Tibetan Studies in Sarnath, India, where he was first immersed in the traditional approach to Buddhist studies. 

Atisha then completed a rigorous 10-year study program at the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics in Dharamsala which emphasizes logic, debate, and the major Indian and Tibetan treatises. In 2024, he earned his doctoral degree in Buddhist Studies at L’Orientale in Naples, Italy. 

Since 2019, Atisha has generously shared his expertise in logic and debate with groups of students from all over the world.

Bio and photo courtesy of https://www.serkonginstitute.org/teachers

Fabrizio Pallotti (Champa Pelgye) has been studying and practicing Buddhism since 1979. Fully ordained by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1982, he lived in India from 1987 to 1993, where he learned Tibetan under the guidance of great first-generation masters such as Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche, Ribur Rinpoche, Denma Locho Rinpoche and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

For eight years, he lived permanently with Kyabje Ribur Rinpoche, one of the great lamas of Tibet, serving as his translator and secretary. At the request of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, he then served at the Lama Tsong Khapa Institute as a Tibetan-to-English translator for the Master’s Program.

For many years he has been the official Italian translator of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

He is the founder and president of the Manjushri Lotsawa Association and the Sarva Yoga Citta Academy—Yoga of the Mind. Author of the program “Thought Education and Emotional Hygiene,” he teaches at numerous Buddhist centers and master’s programs in Italy.

Bio and photo courtesy of https://www.iltk.org/insegnante/fabrizio-pallotti/

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This episode of the Wisdom Podcast features special guests Geshe YongDong Losar and Jesse Moussa. Geshela is a Tibetan Bön lama in the Yungdrung Bön lineage, and Jesse has been a Class A Professional with the CPGA since 2007. Together with host Daniel Aitken, they discuss the release of Becoming The Master On The Course And In Life, Wisdom from a Golf Pro and a Meditation Master. Discover how this pair met and join them as they dive into the physical, spiritual, and mental relationship between Buddhism and the sport of golf.

They also discuss:

Wisdom Podcast listeners are invited to save 20% off Becoming The Master On The Course And In Life with code WPODGOLF through July 06. 

The views and opinions expressed on this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Wisdom Publications or any entities they represent.

Geshe YongDong Losar (Geshela) is a Tibetan Bön lama, or spiritual teacher, in the Yungdrung Bön lineage, which is rooted in the indigenous spiritual tradition of the Himalayas. He lives in Courtenay, British Columbia. where he established and directs Sherab Chamma Ling, the only Tibetan Bön Buddhist Center in Canada. He teaches in many centers and universities around the world and has also founded the Bon Da Ling center in Costa Rica.

Jesse has extensive education in golf management and instruction in Canada and the United States and has been a Class A Professional with the CPGA since 2007. He has developed his career with the CPGA for seventeen years, and his commitment to the game and industry is still strong. His passion is in growing the love of the game and developing ways to make teaching more effective and learning more fun. Jesse is an inventor of a patented golf training aid, “The Right Touch,” which he developed to help his students wipe out the stubborn slice, with the backing of world-renowned instructors Fred Griffin and Mike Adams. His passion lies in inspiring confidence, enjoyment, and progress in his students and fellow instructors. He believes that improving your skills can be as much fun as playing the game. Jesse’s favorite place to be, other than home, is at the golf course, sharing his love of the game while supporting others, and playing and honing his own skills, too.

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