Greater Seattle IONS Community Group Program

IONS International 2007 Conference DVD

DVD on
 
The Noetic Science of Buddhism
&
The Four Noble Truths

with
Robert Thurman
Professor, Author, Buddhist Scholar
IONS Fellow

Mon. March, 2008
7:00 - 9:15 PM
Networking begins at 6:30 PM
East Shore Unitarian
North Room
Fee: $5 -$10

The Noetic Science of Buddhism

Although author and Buddhist scholar, Robert Thurman was the first western Buddhist monk to be ordained by the Dalai Lama, he claims to be the first ex-Buddhist monk.

Arguing with the Dalai Lama for years that Buddhism is not a religion, last year, he made a deal with the Dalai Lama that Buddhism is only 1/3 religion. Now, in a recent letter to the Dalai Lama, he modifies this claim to 1/6. In this DVD of the plenary session from IONS International Conference, 8-11-07, he explains why. 

Dr. Thurman begins the session with a noetic/Buddhist meditation which also serves as a metaphor on the state of the planet, pointing out the human tendency to claim individual possessiveness of Mother Earth’s fate. He states that all of us in the green movement, in the noetic sciences movement, have an element within us similar to what we criticize in those who try to dominate the planet. He finishes the meditation with a suggested daily practice of detachment.

Dr Thurman is a Western Buddhist pioneer and professor, also charged with translating Buddhist manuscripts. He humorously weaves stories from Buddhism, his experiences with the Dalai Lama, and his perspective of Buddhist history to show the real nature of Buddhism. He says that Buddha was a noetic scientist, because he understood how the mind is the key.

Buddhism is more of a scientific, educational movement than a religion, argues Robert Thurman. Historically, Eastern religions, have been influenced by the ancient knowledge from India and other places. They implicitly teach the education of the mind and taming of the emotions, making noetic science at the forefront of all sciences. Science’s acknowledgement that mind could potentially exist beyond the brain has only recently begun infiltrating the West.

Dr. Thurman not only teaches about Buddhism's relationship to quantum science, but with great humor teaches about how he believes it is a friend to all religions. And he cautions us that we also have to learn to manage the state of the ego and the mind's tendency to participate in group delusion. He says we are living within "unreal" reality: "We are all a little deluded, and we are all a little bit in a world of delusion. It is like we are having a dream here together."

He discusses how the third truth of Buddhism 4 Noble Truths, the truth of Nirvana, is the “real” reality, comparing the traditional concept of this teaching to the precepts of mainstream materialistic, scientific education as well as recent developments in quantum science. He gives a unique perspective on how to shift from “unreal” reality.

SEE ROBERT THURMAN"S BIOGRAPHY BELOW

Come participate in a great discussion on the Noetic Science of Buddhism and the Four Noble Truths based on Robert Thurman's teachings.

We will also share the phenomenal success of IONS Northwest’s recent events in Portland.

We have a stack of Shift Reports 2007: Evidence of a World Transforming from the Portland event which we will be selling for $10. IONS has recently published the Shift Report 2008: Changing the Story of Our Future.

We meet at the East Shore Unitarian Church in the North Room located at 12700 SE 32nd Street. The church is in the Factoria area of Bellevue, just off Richards Road near I-90. Driving directions are linked above.

Please arrive at 6:30 for networking. We will begin the program at 7:00 pm and end at 9:15 pm.

We request participants to share meeting costs by donating $5.00-$10.00 for room rental.

Thank you for your interest and support of the IONS mission: Advancing the science of consciousness and human experience.

ROBERT THURMAN"S BIOGRAPHY

Robert Thurman is a Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies in the Department of Religion at Columbia University, President of the Tibet House U.S., a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Tibetan civilization, and President of the American Institute of Buddhist Studies.

Professor Thurman also translates important Tibetan and Sanskrit philosophical writings and lectures and writes on Buddhism, particularly Tibetan Buddhism; on Asian history, particularly the history of the monastic institution in the Asian civilization; and on critical philosophy, with a focus on the dialogue between the material and inner sciences of the world's religious traditions.

Professor Thurman's scholarly and popular writings focus on the "inner revolution" that individuals and societies successfully negotiate when they achieve enlightenment. He defines this inner revolution as accurate insight into the true nature of reality and determined compassion for the suffering beings. He also works toward what he terms a "Second Renaissance," which he sees currently taking place as Western culture goes beyond the 14th century European discovery of the natural sciences of the ancient Greeks that catalyzed the "first renaissance" to discover and apply in practice the advanced "inner science" of ancient Indian culture.

Popularizing the Buddha's teachings is just one of Thurman's creative talents. He is a riveting speaker and an author of many books on Tibet, Buddhism, art, politics and culture, including Circling the Sacred Mountain, Essential Tibetan Buddhism, The Tibetan Book of the Dead, Wisdom and Compassion: The Sacred Art of Tibet, and, most recently, Infinite Life: Seven Virtues for Living Well. He is credited with being at the forefront of making Tibetan art accessible and understandable in the West and, with distinguished art historians, he collaborated in curating several important traveling exhibitions, including "Wisdom and Compassion," "Mandala," and "Worlds of Transformation," which set a standard in the art world.

Thurman's work and insights are grounded in more than 35 years of serious academic scholarship. He has a B.A., A.M. and Ph.D. degrees from Harvard and has studied in Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in India and the United States. A long-time advocate of Buddhist monasticism, in 1962, Thurman became the first American ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist monk. He gave up his robes after several years, however, when he discovered he could be most effective in the American equivalent of the monastery, the university. He is a popular professor in the Religion Department of Columbia University where he holds the Jey Tsong Khapa chair in Indo-Tibetan Studies.

Thurman’s knowledge of Tibetan history and culture is often sought by policy makers. He has testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Additionally, a plan he authored, which appeared in the Wall Street Journal in 1998 as an op-ed piece entitled "Freeing Tibet Is in China’s Interest" is regarded by many as a practical plausible blueprint for peacefully ending the human rights violations and cultural destruction in Tibet.