Ep121: Leaving Monasticism – Thupten Phuntsok
In this interview I am joined by Thupten Phuntsok, Buddhist teacher who, after 21 years as a monk in the Gelugpa order, disrobed to live the life of a lay person in New York City.
Phuntsok describes his childhood in Haiti, and the awakening of his desire to become Christ-like and dedicate his life to spiritual contemplation. Phuntsok shares his subsequent explorations in Western Esotericism, Indian yoga, and Tibetan Buddhism including studies under Rato Rinpoche and Geshe Lobsang Tharchin.
Phuntsok also shares his views on the dysfunctions of modern sexuality, the scholastic emphasis of his Gelugpa training, the 6 Yogas of Naropa, and reveals the surprising reasons why after two decades he chose to leave the monastic life behind.
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Topics include:
00:00 – Intro
00:49 – Childhood spiritual leanings
03:21 – Why Phuntsok did not become a Catholic priest
04:46 – Christian vs Buddhist monasticism
06:13 – Interest in reading and meeting Kyongla Rato Rinpoche
09:50 – What does it mean to be Christ-like
12:46 – Tonglen and substitutionary atonement
13:55 – Studies with Rato Rinpoche, the Himalayan Institute, and Rosicrucianism
19:31 – Meeting Sermey Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Tharchin
23:55 – Social context, Hinduism & Buddhism
25:26 – Phuntsok’s daily practice
27:24 – Daily esoteric practice of Rosicrucianism
31:00 – States of high concentration and the lack of masters
34:45 – Ordination as a Buddhist monk
40:28 – Family opinion on Phuntsok’s ordination
42:34 – Struggles as a monk
49:22 – Sexuality and celibacy
51:52 – Modern sexuality is dysfunctional, multi-generational trauma
55:22 – Analysis of dysfunctional sexuality
01:02:50 – How did Phuntsok arrive at this view?
01:21:31 – Why Phuntsok didn’t live in a monastery
01:30:00 – Doctrinal education under Geshe Lobsang Tharchin
01:39:05 – – 6 Yogas of Naropa and sacrilegious views on tantra
01:43:49 – Disrobing as a monk after 21 years
01:50:23 – Out of touch with people
01:57:43 – Teaching activities
To find out more about Thubten Phuntsok, visit:
Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James