Guru Viking Podcast

In this episode I am joined by Dr Julian Schott, Indologist & Tibetologist, trained at institutions such as the renowned Center for the Study of Manuscript Culture at the University of Hamburg. Julian recalls his early interest in philosophy and meditation, and recounts how he emerged from a period of self destruction and found meaning and purpose in academic studies. Julian describes how he fell in love with classical Indic and Tibetan languages, and details the rigorous academic atmosphere at the University of Hamburg, where he immersed in years of reading Sanskrit for many hours a day under masters of philology. Julian makes the case for the vital importance of primary language competency for scholars and religious practitioners alike, and offers his opinion on those who practice or teach religious traditions without an ability to read its writings in the original languages. Julian critiques the idea of Buddhist transmission as a useful lie without historical support which is employed to encourag