Belonging Episode 8 - Thupten Jinpa Langri
In Episode 8 of Belonging: Gender, Sex & Spirituality, hosts Mpho Tutu van Furth and Marceline Tutu van Furthwelcome Thupten Jinpa — Buddhist philosopher, compassion researcher, and the longtime English translator to Dalai Lama.
From a small Tibetan community to becoming one of the world’s leading voices on compassion and contemplative wisdom, Jinpa’s journey is one of identity, displacement, purpose, and profound spiritual transformation. Navigating life between cultures, languages, and belief systems, he reflects on what it means to remain rooted in humanity while embracing change, difference, and deeper understanding.
In this deeply moving conversation, Jinpa shares how spirituality can become a bridge rather than a barrier — inviting us into greater empathy, self-awareness, and connection with one another. Together, the conversation explores how gender, sexuality, and spirituality intersect with our universal longing to be seen, accepted, and to belong.
This episode is a powerful reminder that belonging is not about fitting into a single identity — it is about compassion, authenticity, and learning how to hold space for ourselves and others with grace. 🎙️✨