Ep355: The Accidental Buddhist - Doug Nurnberg

In this episode, filmed in Sarnath, India, I am joined by Doug Nurnberg, a close student of Tarthang Tulku for over 50 years and project manager and board member of the Sarnath International Nyingma Institute (SINI). Doug recalls his childhood in a conservative farming family in Kansas, how an out of body experience saw him embark on a search for meaning, and why he sometimes thinks of himself as an “accidental Buddhist”. Doug describes his 50 year discipleship under Tarthang Tulku; recounts stories of conflict, trust, and unusual teaching methods; and reveals his impressions of the personality and capabilities of Tarthang Tulku the man. Doug also reflects on work ethic as a path to enlightenment, why he has deferred meditation practice to preserve Tibetan culture and further the aims of his teacher, and the role of esoteric geomancy in the building of grand stupas and statues around the world. … Video version: Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:02 - Tour of the Sarnath International Nyingma Institute 09:45 - Library and scripture collections 12:54 - Books by Tarthang Tulku 13:27 - Revelations of Mind 14:39 - Deferring practice to preserve the Tibetan culture 16:30 - Setting up a printing press at Ratna Ling 17:55 - Doug’s childhood in Kansas 19:47 - Accidental Buddhist 20:30 - Excellence in athletics 21:39 - Winning the national championship and an out of body experience 24:16 - Searching for meaning 25:41 - Meeting Tarthang Tulku 28:29 - Conflicts during construction projects for Tarthang Tulku 34:29 - Horses and Tarthang Tulku’s teaching methods 37:59 - Permaculture projects 42:17 - Work ethic as a path to enlightenment 46:04 - Tarthang Tulku’s individualised teaching style 48:37 - Why such grand scale projects? 52:36 - Geomancy and sacred building projects 56:29 - Difficult relationship with Tarthang Tulku 01:01:33 - Leaving in frustration for 10 years 01:03:22 - Family obligations 01:05:37 - Political instability in America 01:08:12 - Family concern about Doug’s involvement with Tarthang Tulku 01:10:40 - Tarthang Tulku the man 01:14:59 - Devotion to the guru 01:17:19 - Tarthang Tulku’s unusual capacities 01:21:21 - Doug’s understanding of Buddhist doctrine 01:27:36 - Gratitude to Tarthang Tulku 01:29:56 - Thinking about death 01:31:14 - Does Doug want to be enlightened? 01:33:19 - Buddhism is a natural state … To find our more about Doug Nurnberg, visit: - For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

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Ep355: The Accidental Buddhist - Doug Nurnberg is an episode from Guru Viking Podcast by GuruViking.

This episode is 01:36:44 long.

This episode was published on Apr 3, 2026.

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