Buddhism on Mars with Bhikkhu Vasu Bandhu

Season Two of Aspiring Martians begins with a month-long Everyday Mars series exploring religion on Mars — and what happens to faith, meaning, and spiritual life when humans leave Earth.

This first episode focuses on Buddhism, a tradition practiced by hundreds of millions of people worldwide and rooted in teachings on suffering, impermanence, mindfulness, and compassion. Joe is joined by Bhikkhu Vasu Bandhu, a contemplative teacher working within a modern Buddhist-inspired tradition and a longtime leader in the global interfaith movement.

Vasu Bandhu serves as Interfaith Manager for the Arizona Faith Network, is a member of the International Youth Committee of Religions for Peace, a Global Council Trustee for the United Religions Initiative, and Chair of the North American Interfaith Network. Since the age of 18, he has dedicated his life to interfaith service, eventually joining the Dhammapada Sangha after years of work across diverse religious traditions.

In this conversation, Joe and Vasu Bandhu explore how Buddhist ideas like mindfulness, ethical responsibility, compassion, and acceptance of impermanence could shape spiritual life for future Martians — particularly in environments defined by isolation, confinement, and constant change.

Featuring