Using popular culture and recent world history as a jumping off point, Robert A.F. Thurman gives a talk on the nature of civilization and the rise, spread and evolution of Buddhist culture and industrial militarism.

Opening with an introduction to Samuel P. Huntington's "The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order" Professor Thurman traces the origins of Neo-conservatism, religious fundamentalism and industrialized military economies to the fundamental misunderstanding of the of reality and the interdependent nature of humanity and civilizations.

Podcast includes: a recommendation of "The Unconquerable World: Power, Nonviolence, and The Will of the People" by Jonathan Schell, a Buddhist perspective on the history of the Cold War between Russia and the United States, a discussion of the dangers of militarized police forces, preemptive war and a humorous exploration of the concept of mutually assured destruction and of industrialized war economies.

Second half of this week's episode includes a discussion of the value of life long education and how recent neuroplasticity studies confirm and compliment the teachings of the Buddha's inner and outer sciences.

Episode concludes with a reading of the poetry of Redwing Keyssar by Gary Gach.

Clash of Civilizations : Buddhism & Modern Culture - Ep. 231 of the Bob Thurman Podcast Image by Tenzing Rigdol.

Clash of Civilizations : Buddhism & Modern Culture - Ep. 231 of the Bob Thurman Podcast is excerpted from a talk to professional students, recorded in Russia in 2012.