Ep196: Modern Tantric Buddhism - Justin Von Bujdoss
Justin Von Bujdoss is an American Buddhist teacher, chaplain, and author of ‘Modern Tantric Buddhism’.
Available on Youtube, iTunes, SoundCloud & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
Justin recalls his upbringing in Soho, Manhattan as the son of a multi-generational family of painters, immersed in the New York art scene, attending a specialist high school, and engaging in study abroad programs across Europe and Asia.
Justin recounts his childhood dreams of saints and spiritual masters, and his early fascination with Ancient Egypt and Western Occultism, which saw him transcribing magickal texts and engaging in rituals of evocation and divination.
Justin explains why his conversion to Buddhism was inevitable, describes his meetings with great masters, and shares his passion for Vajrayogini practice and Mahamudra meditation.
Justin also reveals why conducting dark retreat and studying Ati Yoga under Dr Nida Chenagtsang has brought him into an experience of the nature of mind so powerful that he has departed from many of the views expressed in his book ‘Modern Tantric Buddhism’, as well as reduced his interest in propagating the Repa lineage in which he is ordained.
00:00 - Intro
01:10 - Upbringing in Soho, New York
03:35 - Intense childhood spiritual interest
05:28 - Fascination with Ancient Egypt and Western Occultism
09:20 - From Western Occultism to Vajrayana
10:11 - Magickal ritual practice
13:41 - Practical success with Ancient Egyptian magick
16:37 - Childhood dreams of mahasiddhas
18:26 - Past life visions of connections with Tibetan Buddhism and early Indian Tantra
22:11 - Comments on the tulku tradition
24:34 - Attending a specialised high school and Antioch college
27:43 - Travels to India, meeting masters,
32:42 - Affinity with India and Tibet and converting to Buddhism
37:45 - Why Justin did not learn Tibetan or Sanskrit
39:52 - Learning Mahamudra from Tsunma Dechen Zangmo
41:56 - Passion for Vajrayogini practice
44:10 - Learning how to practice and juggling multiple lineages
52:19 - Signs of progress in Justin’s practice
59:30 - Infantilisation of American students in Tibetan Buddhism
01:02:30 - Justin’s critique of the Tibetan Buddhist culture and tradition
01:04:38 - Learning culture vs getting enlightened
01:06:05 - Why Justin ordained as a Repa
01:13:36 - Moving away from the Repa lineage
01:17:44 - Ordaining to make a point
01:19:30- To whom was Justin making a point?
01:23:50 - Losing interest in importing Buddhism to the USA
01:25:45 - Learning Ati Yoga from Dr Nida Chenagtsang
01:28:45 - How experiencing the nature of mind revolutionised Justin’s religious life
To find out more about Justin Von Bujdoss, visit:
Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James