Ep332: Oxford Librarian of Tibet - Charles Manson

In this episode I join Charles Manson in Oxford, England to visit the Bodleian Library (Oxford University) where he is the specialist librarian for its Tibetan Collections.

Charles leads us through the streets of Oxford to visit the old Bodleian Library, founded in 1602. Then we arrive at the Weston Library to explore its collection of Tibetan manuscripts.

Charles guides us through gold lettered texts about Lamdre and expiation, describes the process of textual revelation known as “terma”, and shares a warning based on his own experiences of dark retreat.

Charles explains the Tibetan doctrines of the afterlife while showing a rare copy of the Tibetan Book of the Dead, muses on Coleridge’s advice for visiting a library, and reflects on why he believes converts to Tibetan Buddhism should attempt to learn the Tibetan language.

Charles also details his working routine as a librarian and archivist, reflects on his own academic journey from SOAS to Harvard and Oxford, and considers the role his religious faith plays in his work with Tibetan texts.

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Video version: guruviking.com/podcast/ep332-oxford-librarian-…

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

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Topics include:

00:00 - Intro
01:16 - The old Bodleian
03:25 - Entering the Weston Library
06:13 - Retrieving the texts
06:48 - The Driver collection
08:29 - Close look at a Lamdre text
12:33 - Features of a terma treasure text
13:14 - Mind vs earth termas
15:15 - How termas are composed
15:51 - Charles’ terma experience
16:54 - 4 ways of changing the mind
17:30 - Expanding a terma
18:02 - The Driver collection
19:00 - Dakini script and images
20:52 - Manuscript care
21:20 - Unwrapping a text, discovering a washing prayer
22:30 - More texts
24:50 - The Tibetan Book of the Dead
26:03 - Bardo doctrine of 49 days between lives
26:24 - Opportunities for liberation at and after death
27:43 - How to use the Tibetan Book of the Dead
28:39 - The process of rebirth
29:48 - Liberation upon hearing
30:18 - Phowa practice for the dead
33:16 - Dark retreat as preparation for death
34:11 - Dark retreat warnings
35:40 - Charles’ studies at SOAS, Harvard, and Oxford
38:45 - Beginning at the Bodleian Library
39:58 - Coleridge on libraries
41:15 - Work at the British Library
41:46 - Why Charles would like more time
43:06 - First days at the Bodleian Library
44:36 - Initial work on the collection
45:27 - The Library of Congress and other partnerships
50:59 - Range of acquisitions
52:46 - Tibetan medical writing
53:41 - Access and the goals of Charles’ library acquisitions
57:14 - What would Charles do with more funding
01:01:41 - Providing online access for the world
01:03:32 - Day in the life at the Bodleian Library
01:06:33 - Importance of specialist knowledge
01:09:19 - Charles’ religious devotion
01:13:45 - Separation of religion and scholarship
01:14:53 - Why converts should learn the Tibetan language
01:16:43 - Scholar practitioners and the importance of study
01:18:17 - Teaching the Tibetan language
01:19:02 - Curation as religious service
01:19:17 - Charles’ invitation to viewers

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Previous episode with Charles Manson:
- guruviking.com/podcast/ep243-scholar-practitio…

To find our more about Charles Manson, visit:
- shambhala.com/authors/the-second-karmapa-karma…
- uk.linkedin.com/in/charles-manson-07420911
- charles.manson@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- www.guruviking.com

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Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James