Interviews
From Buddha-Nature
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17 Interviews
Listen to interviews with teachers, scholars, translators, and experienced practitioners of Buddhism.
Buddha by Nature or Buddha by Nurture: Deliberations on the Buddha-Nature Theory in the Nyingma Tradition by Dorji Wangchuk: Conversations on Buddha-Nature
The Nyingma tradition is an eclectic and complex Tibetan tradition with a rich history of teachings that relate to the idea of Buddha-Nature in different ways. In this video Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho and his compatriot Professor Dorji Wangchuk discuss interpretations of Buddha-Nature theory in the Nyingma tradition, of which they are both trained specialists.
Wangchuk, Dorji. "Buddha by Nature or Buddha by Nurture: Deliberations on the Buddha-Nature Theory in the Nyingma Tradition." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 31, 2021. Video, 1:21:34. https://youtu.be/xC06_wvq_cI.
Wangchuk, Dorji. "Buddha by Nature or Buddha by Nurture: Deliberations on the Buddha-Nature Theory in the Nyingma Tradition." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 31, 2021. Video, 1:21:34. https://youtu.be/xC06_wvq_cI.; Buddha by Nature or Buddha by Nurture: Deliberations on the Buddha-Nature Theory in the Nyingma Tradition by Dorji Wangchuk: Conversations on Buddha-Nature; Buddha by Nature or Buddha by Nurture: Deliberations on the Buddha-Nature Theory in the Nyingma Tradition; gzhan stong; Nyingma; rang stong; Ratnagotravibhāga Mahāyānottaratantraśāstra; Tathāgatagarbhasūtra; Klong chen pa; Mi pham rgya mtsho; Rong zom chos kyi bzang po;; Dorji Wangchuk;
Buddha-Nature Theories from Fourteenth- and Fifteenth-Century Tibet by Klaus-Dieter Mathes
Professor Klaus-Dieter Mathes, one of the world's most learned and published specialists on the topic of buddha-nature in Tibetan Buddhism, speaks with Lopen Karma Phuntsho about the various interpretations of tathāgatagarbha teachings in Tibet, including those of the Third Karmapa Rangjung Dorje, Longchenpa, Gö Lotsawa, Dölpopa, Butön, and Tsongkhapa.
Prof. Dr. Klaus-Dieter Mathes is the Head of the Department of South Asian, Tibetan, and Buddhist Studies at the University of Vienna, Austria. Dr. Mathes has published widely on Mahāmudrā, Tibetan Madhyamaka, Yogācāra, and the interpretations of Buddha-nature in Tibet. Many of his books can be found on this website, including the recent The Other Emptiness: Rethinking the Zhentong Buddhist Discourse in Tibet and A Direct Path to the Buddha Within. Klaus-Dieter also hosted the Tathāgatagarbha Across Asia Symposium in 2019. From 1980-1984 he lived in the Himalayas and studied Buddhism, later obtaining a master's degree in Tibetology from the University of Bonn and then a doctorate from Marburg in 1994 with a study of the Yogācāra text Dharmadharmatāvibhāga (published in 1996 in the series Indica et Tibetica). He served as the director of the Nepal Research Centre and the Nepal-German Manuscript Preservation Project in Kathmandu from 1993 to 2001.
Prof. Dr. Klaus-Dieter Mathes is the Head of the Department of South Asian, Tibetan, and Buddhist Studies at the University of Vienna, Austria. Dr. Mathes has published widely on Mahāmudrā, Tibetan Madhyamaka, Yogācāra, and the interpretations of Buddha-nature in Tibet. Many of his books can be found on this website, including the recent The Other Emptiness: Rethinking the Zhentong Buddhist Discourse in Tibet and A Direct Path to the Buddha Within. Klaus-Dieter also hosted the Tathāgatagarbha Across Asia Symposium in 2019. From 1980-1984 he lived in the Himalayas and studied Buddhism, later obtaining a master's degree in Tibetology from the University of Bonn and then a doctorate from Marburg in 1994 with a study of the Yogācāra text Dharmadharmatāvibhāga (published in 1996 in the series Indica et Tibetica). He served as the director of the Nepal Research Centre and the Nepal-German Manuscript Preservation Project in Kathmandu from 1993 to 2001.
Mathes, Klaus-Dieter. "Buddha-Nature Theories from Fourteenth- and Fifteenth-Century Tibet." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, May 29, 2021. Video, 1:16:01. https://www.youtu.be/zidB8HqzC5k.
Mathes, Klaus-Dieter. "Buddha-Nature Theories from Fourteenth- and Fifteenth-Century Tibet." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, May 29, 2021. Video, 1:16:01. https://www.youtu.be/zidB8HqzC5k.;Buddha-Nature Theories from Fourteenth- and Fifteenth-Century Tibet by Klaus-Dieter Mathes;History of buddha-nature in Tibet;The doctrine of buddha-nature in Tibetan Buddhism;Buddha-Nature Theories from Fourteenth- and Fifteenth-Century Tibet
Buddha-Nature and Social Justice by Venerable Karma Lekshe Tsomo
Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho discusses themes of social justice and buddha-nature with the venerable Buddhist nun, activist, professor, writer, and teacher, Dr. Karma Lekshe Tsomo. Venerable Tsomo is an inspiration to all Buddhists interested in living a socially conscious life and is known around the world for her warmth, knowledge, and clear approach to teaching and speaking about life, Buddhism, and social activism. She co-founded Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women, which hosts the Sakyadhita Conference, the largest and most important meeting of Buddhist women in the world. Along with teaching for twenty years at the University of San Diego, she also created the Jamyang Foundation to support the education of women in the Himalayas.
Tsomo, Ven. Karma Lekshe. "Buddha-Nature and Social Justice." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, March 27, 2021. Video, 1:10:35. https://www.youtu.be/8LbSKKSjT6E.
Tsomo, Ven. Karma Lekshe. "Buddha-Nature and Social Justice." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, March 27, 2021. Video, 1:10:35. https://www.youtu.be/8LbSKKSjT6E.;Buddha-Nature and Social Justice by Venerable Karma Lekshe Tsomo;Buddha-Nature and Social Justice
Buddha-Nature in Early Chan and Japanese Zen by Rev. Kokyo Henkel: Conversations on Buddha-Nature
In this video, part of the ongoing series entitled "Conversations on Buddha-Nature" produced by the Tsadra Foundation, Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho and Rev. Kokyo Henkel discuss buddha-nature in early Chan and Japanese Zen and comparisons with Tibetan Dzogchen. They also discuss some Koans, Dōgen, and many textual sources from Indian sutras in Tibetan and Chinese translation to sources for key schools of Buddhism in China and Japan up to more modern texts.
Kokyo Henkel has been practicing Zen since 1990 in residence at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center (most recently as Head of Practice), Green Gulch Farm Zen Center, No Abode Hermitage in Mill Valley, and Bukkokuji Monastery in Japan. He was ordained as a priest in 1994 by Tenshin Anderson Roshi and received Dharma Transmission from him in 2010. Kokyo is interested in exploring how the original teachings of Buddha-Dharma from ancient India, China, and Japan can still be very much alive and useful in present-day America to bring peace and openness to the minds of this troubled world.
Kokyo has also been practicing with the Tibetan Dzogchen ("Great Completeness") Teacher Tsoknyi Rinpoche since 2003, in California, Colorado, and Kathmandu.Henkel, Rev. Kokyo. "Buddha-Nature in Early Chan and Japanese Zen." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 26, 2021. Video, 1:23:03. https://youtu.be/j_V3v-oqnNU.
Henkel, Rev. Kokyo. "Buddha-Nature in Early Chan and Japanese Zen." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 26, 2021. Video, 1:23:03. https://youtu.be/j_V3v-oqnNU.; Buddha-Nature in Early Chan and Japanese Zen; Buddha-Nature in Early Chan and Japanese Zen; Buddha-nature as Emptiness; Buddha-nature as Luminosity; Buddha-nature as Self - Atman; Dzogchen; The doctrine of buddha-nature in Chinese Buddhism; The doctrine of buddha-nature in Japanese Buddhism; The doctrine of buddha-nature in Tibetan Buddhism; Tien Tai; Zen - Chan; tathāgatagarbha; ātman; Buddhāvataṃsakasūtra; Dasheng qixin lun; Laṅkāvatārasūtra; Mahāparinirvāṇasūtra; Saddharmapuṇḍarīkasūtra; Śrīmālādevīsūtra; Dōgen; Mazu Daoyi; Schaik, S.; Suzuki, S.; Zhaozhou; Zhiyi;; Kokyo Henkel;Kokyo Yakai (Luminous Owl, Midnight Liberation 光梟夜解);  
Elizabeth Callahan Interview on Buddha-Nature
Elizabeth Callahan discusses buddha-nature and its related concepts in an interview with Marcus Perman of Tsadra Foundation.
- Elizabeth Callahan Interview on Buddha-Nature; Elizabeth Callahan Interview on Buddha-Nature; Defining buddha-nature; Mahamudra; tha mal gyi shes pa; Terminology; Kagyu; Sgam po pa; āgantukamala; Disclosure model; Vajrayana; gotra; Sentient beings; 'jam mgon kong sprul; Karmapa, 3rd; Metaphors for buddha-nature; Elizabeth Callahan;  
Interview with Jamie Hubbard and Paul Swanson
In this interview during the AAR annual meeting in Denver, Colorado, November 2018, Jamie Hubbard and Paul Swanson discuss Critical Buddhism, buddha-nature, and Buddhism in Japan, as well as many other topics. Present during the interview are José Cabezón, Alexander Gardner, Marcus Perman, and other members of the Tsadra staff.
- Interview with Jamie Hubbard and Paul Swanson; Interview with Jamie Hubbard and Paul Swanson; The doctrine of buddha-nature in Theravadin Buddhism; anātman; Original Enlightenment; tathāgatagarbha; Yogācāra; Dasheng qixin lun; ;
Interview with Venerable Dhammadipa
In this interview during a Salon Tibétain event on January 30, 2019 at the Tsadra Foundation in Boulder, Venerable Dhammadipa discusses a variety of topics but especially the Yogacāra tradition and its primary texts.
- Interview with Venerable Dhammadipa; Interview with Venerable Dhammadipa;
- Yogācāra; Dasheng qixin lun; The doctrine of buddha-nature in Theravadin Buddhism; Meditation; anātman; Original Enlightenment; tathāgatagarbha; Saṃdhinirmocanasūtra; Ven. Dhammadipa Thero;
Karl Brunnhölzl Interview on Buddha-Nature
Karl Brunnhölzl discusses buddha-nature and it's related concepts in an interview with Marcus Perman of Tsadra Foundation.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. “Karl Brunnhölzl Interview on Buddha-Nature” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, December 3, 2018. Video, 61:42.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. “Karl Brunnhölzl Interview on Buddha-Nature” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, December 3, 2018. Video, 61:42.; Karl Brunnhölzl Interview on Buddha-Nature; Karl Brunnhölzl Interview on Buddha-Nature; Buddha-nature as Emptiness; Buddha-nature as Luminosity; Defining buddha-nature; Disclosure model; Production model; The Problem of buddha-nature; Provisional or definitive; Karl Brunnhölzl;
Buddha-Nature in Comparative Perspective, an Interview with Klaus-Dieter Mathes
Klaus-Dieter Mathes, Head of the Department of South Asian, Tibetan and Buddhist Studies at the University of Vienna, granted an interview to Marcus Perman and Alex Gardner @ buddha-nature.tsadra.org on April 24, 2018. The discussion is almost an hour long and ranges from Klaus' personal interest in buddha-nature teachings to his ongoing and detailed research projects on the subject. Mathes discusses buddha-nature and the key ideas behind it, the controversies it generates, and some of the related Buddhist philosophy in comparative perspective.
Mathes, Klaus-Dieter. "Buddha-Nature in Comparative Perspective, an Interview with Klaus-Dieter Mathes." Interview by Marcus Perman and Alexander Gardner, April 24, 2018. Audio, 53:03. https://buddhanature.tsadra.org/index.php/Articles/Klaus-Dieter_Mathes_Interview_on_Buddha-Nature.
Mathes, Klaus-Dieter. "Buddha-Nature in Comparative Perspective, an Interview with Klaus-Dieter Mathes." Interview by Marcus Perman and Alexander Gardner, April 24, 2018. Audio, 53:03. https://buddhanature.tsadra.org/index.php/Articles/Klaus-Dieter_Mathes_Interview_on_Buddha-Nature.; Klaus-Dieter Mathes Interview on Buddha-Nature; Buddha-Nature in Comparative Perspective, an Interview with Klaus-Dieter Mathes; History; Terms; Kagyu; Debate(s); Meditative Tradition; The Problem of buddha-nature; Ngok Tradition; Tsen Tradition; Klaus-Dieter Mathes; Marcus Perman;Alex Gardner;
Matthieu Ricard: Conversations on Buddha-Nature
In this online interview, the first of a series titled "Conversations on Buddha-Nature," Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho and Matthieu Ricard discuss the meaning of buddha-nature, Matthieu's first encounter with buddha-nature teachings, whether buddha-nature is a seed to be cultivated or something that must be revealed, and whether it is possible to enhance the qualities of buddha-nature without meditation and practice. In addition to these topics, Matthieu also answers questions from the attendees.
Ricard, Matthieu. “Matthieu Ricard: Conversations on Buddha-Nature." Interview by Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Conversations on Buddha-Nature Series 1. October 24, 2020. Video, 1:07:51. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MurIM00GwUc.
Ricard, Matthieu. “Matthieu Ricard: Conversations on Buddha-Nature." Interview by Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Conversations on Buddha-Nature Series 1. October 24, 2020. Video, 1:07:51. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MurIM00GwUc.; Matthieu Ricard: Conversations on Buddha-Nature; Matthieu Ricard: Conversations on Buddha-Nature; Buddha-nature as Emptiness; Buddha-nature as Luminosity; Contemporary; Disclosure model; Metaphors for buddha-nature; Madhyamaka; Matthieu Ricard;
Ringu Tulku Interview on Buddha-Nature
Ringu Tulku discusses buddha-nature and it's related concepts in an interview with Marcus Perman of Tsadra Foundation.
- Ringu Tulku Interview on Buddha-Nature; Ringu Tulku Interview on Buddha-Nature; The doctrine of buddha-nature in Tibetan Buddhism; Third Turning; Defining buddha-nature; Debate(s); Sentient beings; Ratnagotravibhāga Mahāyānottaratantraśāstra; 'jam mgon kong sprul; Dam chos yid bzhin gyi nor bu thar pa rin po che'i rgyan; Sgam po pa; Ringu Tulku;
Robert Thurman: Buddha-Nature as the Foundation of Freedom; Conversations on Buddha-Nature
In this online interview, the second in a series titled "Conversations on Buddha-Nature," Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho discusses themes of freedom, spirituality, and buddha-nature with world-renowned Buddhist scholar, translator, writer, and activist Robert Thurman.
Thurman, Robert. “Robert Thurman: Buddha-Nature as the Foundation of Freedom; Conversations on Buddha-Nature." Interview by Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Conversations on Buddha-Nature Series 2. November 28, 2020. Video, 1:33:46. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvX20nYFM1M.
Thurman, Robert. “Robert Thurman: Buddha-Nature as the Foundation of Freedom; Conversations on Buddha-Nature." Interview by Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Conversations on Buddha-Nature Series 2. November 28, 2020. Video, 1:33:46. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvX20nYFM1M.; Robert Thurman: Conversations on Buddha-Nature; Robert Thurman: Buddha-Nature as the Foundation of Freedom; Conversations on Buddha-Nature; ; ;
Sagesses Bouddhistes: Traité de la continuité suprême du grand véhicule, un texte exceptionnel du bouddhisme tibétain
Traité de la continuité suprême du grand véhicule, un texte exceptionnel du bouddhisme tibétain
Invité : Christian Charrier
Charrier, Christian. "Sagesses Bouddhistes: Traité de la continuité suprême du grand véhicule, un texte exceptionnel du bouddhisme tibétain." Pt. 1 of 2. Interview by Sandrine Colombo. Produced by Claude Darmon and L'Union Bouddhiste de France. November 1, 2020. Video, 14:54. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YBem-nj1Ug.
Charrier, Christian. "Sagesses Bouddhistes: Traité de la continuité suprême du grand véhicule, un texte exceptionnel du bouddhisme tibétain." Pt. 1 of 2. Interview by Sandrine Colombo. Produced by Claude Darmon and L'Union Bouddhiste de France. November 1, 2020. Video, 14:54. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YBem-nj1Ug.;Sagesses Bouddhistes: Traité de la continuité suprême du grand véhicule, un texte exceptionnel du bouddhisme tibétain;Ratnagotravibhāga Mahāyānottaratantraśāstra;Sagesses Bouddhistes: Traité de la continuité suprême du grand véhicule, un texte exceptionnel du bouddhisme tibétain (Pt. 1 of 2)
Tenderness and the Awakening of Buddha-Nature by Judith L. Lief
Judith L. Lief is a Buddhist teacher, writer, and editor. She was a close student of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, who empowered her as a teacher, and she has edited many of his books including The Profound Treasury of the Ocean of Dharma volumes and Milarepa. She has been a teacher and practitioner for over 35 years and continues to teach and lead retreats throughout the world. Lief is also active in the field of death and dying and is the author of Making Friends with Death.
In this interview, which was streamed live via Zoom and Facebook Live on April 24, 2021, Judith discusses the topic of Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho.
Lief, Judith L. "Tenderness and the Awakening of Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 24, 2021. Video, 53:45. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhxvNLfhPFY.
Lief, Judith L. "Tenderness and the Awakening of Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 24, 2021. Video, 53:45. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhxvNLfhPFY.;Tenderness and the Awakening of Buddha-Nature by Judith L. Lief;Tenderness and the Awakening of Buddha-Nature
Tokpa Tulku Interview on Buddha-Nature
Tokpa Tulku discusses the teaching of buddha-nature. He touches on his experience learning about the Uttaratantraśāstra in the Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling shedra, explains the meaning of chapter 1 verse 28 of the Uttaratantraśāstra, discusses the rantong and zhentong views of buddha-nature, briefly talks about buddha-nature as a topic of debate, and discusses how to approach buddha-nature teachings in practice.
- Tokpa Tulku Interview on Buddha-Nature; Tokpa Tulku Interview on Buddha-Nature; Debate(s); The doctrine of buddha-nature in Tibetan Buddhism; gzhan stong; rang stong; Ratnagotravibhāga Mahāyānottaratantraśāstra; Tokpa Tulku;
Wulstan Fletcher Interview on Buddha-Nature
Wulstan Fletcher discusses buddha-nature and it's related concepts in an interview with Marcus Perman of Tsadra Foundation.
- Wulstan Fletcher Interview on Buddha-Nature; Wulstan Fletcher Interview on Buddha-Nature; The doctrine of buddha-nature in Tibetan Buddhism; Dzogchen; Klong chen pa; Christian thought and Buddha-Nature; Madhyamaka; Buddha-nature as Emptiness; Buddha-nature as Luminosity; Defining buddha-nature; Disclosure model; Provisional or definitive; Two Truths; Nyingma; Mi pham rgya mtsho; āgantukamala; Wulstan Fletcher;
Patrul Rinpoche: Outline of the Mahāyāna Treatise the Uttaratantra
A topical outline of the Ratnagotravibhāga written by the famed 19th century Nyingma scholar Paltrul Rinpoche, Orgyen Jigme Chökyi Wangpo.
Theg pa chen po'i bstan bcos rgyud bla ma'i sa bcad;Nyingma;Ratnagotravibhāga Mahāyānottaratantraśāstra;Patrul Rinpoche;དཔལ་སྤྲུལ་རིན་པོ་ཆེ་;dpal sprul rin po che;o rgyan 'jigs med chos kyi dbang po;dpal sprul 'jigs med chos kyi dbang po;rdza dpal sprul;ཨོ་རྒྱན་འཇིགས་མེད་ཆོས་ཀྱི་དབང་པོ་;དཔལ་སྤྲུལ་འཇིགས་མེད་ཆོས་ཀྱི་དབང་པོ་;རྫ་དཔལ་སྤྲུལ་;theg pa chen po'i bstan bcos rgyud bla ma'i sa bcad;ཐེག་པ་ཆེན་པོའི་བསྟན་བཅོས་རྒྱུད་བླ་མའི་ས་བཅད།;Outline of the Mahāyāna Treatise the Uttaratantra;ཐེག་པ་ཆེན་པོའི་བསྟན་བཅོས་རྒྱུད་བླ་མའི་ས་བཅད།
