Ep93: The Epic of King Gesar - Amalia Rubin
In this episode I am joined by Amalia Rubin – internationally known singer, Buddhist practitioner, 8 language polyglot, and scholar currently conducing her PhD research on ‘Gesar as an ongoing mode of reality in the lives of modern Tibetan youths in Eastern Tibet’ at the University of Leeds.
In this interview, Amalia reveals her unusual upbringing and subsequent life of adventure, intensive language immersion, life and work throughout Asia, and encounters with high Lamas including an ongoing friendship of the 17th Karmapa.
We learn about Amalia’s research interests, including the shamanic healing practices of the Steppes, the babdrung trance-bards of the Gesar tradition, and the similarities between the modern revivals of traditional shamanism in Mongolia and the Gesar Ling traditions of Eastern Tibet,.
Amalia also discusses her special relationship with Tana monastery, and how she became an internationally renowned singer and performer.
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
Topics include:
0:00 – Intro
00:57 – ‘I come from a weird family’
05:00 – Intersection of Judaism and Buddhism
10:25 – Childhood meetings with high Lamas of Tibetan Buddhism
13:33 – Beginning formal Tibetan language study
15:21 – Asian Studies at University of Buffalo
17:11 – Intensive language study at Sarah College
18:40 – Advice for students pursuing higher education
19:35 – Travel to Mongolia and completing a masters at University of Washington
22:37 – Shamanic migraine healing
23:44 – 3 years in India and spiritual relationship with the 17th Karmapa
27:44 – Personal stories about the 17th Karmapa
32:52 – Parallels between Tibetan Gesar and Mongolian Shamanic revivals
34:26 – The babdrung trance-bards of the Gesar tradition
36:32 – Involuntary tradition revivals
37:33 – How do the babdrung enter trance?
39:26 – Are the babdrung chanellings philologically consistent?
42:04 – Pop culture expressions of the Gesar revival
46:00 – Eschatalogical aspects of the Gesar myth
47:33 – Who was Gesar and what is his cultural significance?
52:10 – Origin of the name ‘Gesar’
53:26 – Amalia’s Gesar practice and connection with Tana monastery
58:28 – Further details on Gesar practice
1:01:45 – Amalia’s academic work on Gesar
1:03:21 – Sacred artefacts of Tana monastery
1:11:30 – How Amalia was invited to begin her PhD
1:15:38 – Hospitalised in Tibet
1:17:50 – Research during the pandemic
1:18:45 -Recovering from COVID
1:19:40 – Amalia’s international singing career
To find our more about Amalia Rubin, visit:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/708269639856653
www.baganmongolian.com
https://www.instagram.com/thewildamalia/
ahanarubin @ gmail [dot] com
Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James