Charles Manson: The Second Karmapa (#175)

This episode of the Wisdom Podcast features an interview with Charles Manson. Charles is a master woodcarver and author who spent several years as a Buddhist monk and in meditation retreats. He holds a master’s in theological studies from Harvard University and works as a librarian for the Tibetan Collections at the Bodleian Library at Oxford University and at the British Library in London.

In this episode, Charles and host Daniel Aitken discuss:

• his book The Second Karmapa Karma Pakshi;
• his eight-year retreat;
• Karma Pakshi’s impact on Möngke Khan court;
• Kublai Khan’s capture and exile of Karma Pakshi;
• lungsem breathing meditation practice;
• and more!

Items mentioned in this podcast: 

– Early 14th-Century Portrait of Karma Pakshi
– 16th Karmapa in the Karma Pakshi pose at Tsurpu Pre-1959
– Karma Pakshi Travel Map
– Om Ma-Ni Pe-Me Hung Sheet music
– Om Ma-Ni Pe-Me Hung Recording of Nick Perry playing medieval shawm
– Charles during retreat at Karma Pakshi cave

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