Ep264: Vajrayana & Performance Art - Naljorma Tsül'dzin

In this episode, filmed on location in Boudhanath, Kathmandu, I am joined by Naljorma Tsül'dzin, an internationally acclaimed performance artist and ordained apprentice in the Aro gTer sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

Tsül'dzin recalls her childhood in rural Ireland, early cultural and occult explorations, substance abuse and recovery, and her international career as a performance artist under the name “Kira O’Reilly”.

Tsül'dzin traces her history with the Aro gTer sect of Tibetan Buddhism, from first encounter to full ordination, reveals her religious robes and the reactions they provoke, and explains her ongoing fascination with the Great Stupa in Kathmandu.

Tsül'dzin also considers the intersection of art and religious expression, the tension between practice and performance, ritual and spectacle, and reflects on her long-standing work with Serbian conceptual and performance artist Marina Abramović.

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

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Topics include:

00:00 - Intro
01:04 - Inspiring example of Jomo Samphel Dechen Rinpoche
06:30 - Working with body and physicality as a practitioner
09:34 - Childhood in Catholic rural Ireland
11:55 - The 80s goth scene
12:43 - Linda Montano’s insight on Tsül'dzin and subcultures
14:07 - Occult explorations
15:09 - Substance abuse and entering recovery
16:29 - Studying fine art at university
17:36 - Encountering the Aro gTer Buddhist sect
20:22 - Group practice format in the Aro gTer
22:44 - Attraction to the Aro gTer
23:37 - Internationally acclaimed performance art career
29:08 - Deepening Buddhist practice
30:47 - Ordination and Kathmandu
31:28 - Performance art and religious ritual
32:50 - Meeting Marina Abramović
35:25 - The Golden Bough and ritual as performance art
36:16 - Working with Marina Abramović
37:50 - Performing at Marina Abramović’ recent London retrospective at the Royal Academy of Art
39:16 - West/East influence
41:34 - Marina Abramović as a teacher
43:45 - Wearing religious robes
44:48 - Conversations arising from wearing robes in public
47:08 - Explaining the colour scheme
49:56 - Robes and participation
53:00 - Fasting and preparing for the 12-day Royal Academy performance
57:41 - Street Dog Care
58:43 - Reflecting on spiritual experiences
01:00:20 - Time and space
01:02:27 - Why spend so much time in Boudha?
01:06:22 - Practice vs spectacle
01:07:15 - Prostrations
01:08:08 - Art and the Aro gTer
01:09:44 - Secular vs religious art
01:12:04 - Disappointment with Western Buddhist art
01:14:08 - Recommendations for when visiting Boudha
01:14:36 - How to have impromptu conversations

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Boudhanath Interviews playlist:
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To find our more about Naljorma Tsül'dzin, visit:

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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

[uweschaefer]

Thank you so very much, Steve! Your entire series visiting with Lamas and students of the Aro gTér is absolutely wonderful and I revisit them often. I am most grateful for your masterful work.

[tantrichill]

Guru Viking ... first of all, I just want to say thank you for spreading the wisdom of dhamma and the words of Shakyamuni teachings.
It is very admirable when people from western countries talks about dhamma and have interest in dhamma for sake of all sentient beings.Thank you

[joonahorsma]

Brilliant! Many thanks for this interview.

[hejira]

Hello Steve
Lived many years in Boudha and am familiar with these characters you are interviewing ….
I have a wonderful flat there still if you or anyone wishes for a special
Place to stay
Thank you for what you do
🙏

[seaweedhero]

52:12 Karma Chuzang walking by? Up to 52:29