Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, June 17: Prominent Buddhist scholar, co-founder of Tibet House US, and a long-time friend of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Robert A.F. Thurman passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 84 in Woodstock, New York.
In a statement shared on social media, Tibet House US announced Thurman’s passing, describing him as a pioneering scholar, author, and translator whose teachings and writings inspired generations of students and practitioners of Buddhism worldwide. It also noted that the Thurman family has requested privacy during this difficult time.
Following news of his death, tributes and messages of condolence poured in across social media from colleagues, friends, and members of the global Buddhist community, reflecting the far-reaching impact of his life’s work. A statement from the Tibetan Buddhist leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama stated, “Bob lived a meaningful life and has left behind a legacy that will continue to inspire the future students of Tibetan Buddhism and culture for generations to come. I am sure that the merit he has accumulated through a lifetime of service to humanity will bear fruit in lives to come.”
Born in New York City in 1941, Thurman was educated at Phillips Exeter Academy and later attended Harvard University. He devoted nearly three decades to studying Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism as a personal student of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, becoming one of the foremost Western interpreters of Tibetan Buddhist thought.
Widely respected for his scholarship, Thurman authored, edited, and translated numerous influential works on Tibetan Buddhism and Buddhist philosophy. Among his most celebrated achievements was his English translation of the Vimalakirti Sutra from the Tibetan Kangyur, a landmark contribution to Buddhist studies.
At the request of the Dalai Lama, Thurman co-founded Tibet House US in New York City in 1987 alongside Hollywood actor Richard Gere and composer Philip Glass. Established as a non-profit institution dedicated to preserving Tibet’s cultural, philosophical, and spiritual heritage, Tibet House US has since grown into part of a global network of Tibetan cultural institutions. Based in Manhattan, it houses an extensive library, art gallery, traditional shrine room, and educational spaces.
Thurman’s influence extended well beyond academia. In 1997, he was named one of the 25 most influential Americans by Time magazine. He received the Light of Truth Human Rights Award from the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) in 2003, and in 2006, New York magazine included him among its “Influentials” in the field of religion.
A pioneering figure in Buddhist studies, Thurman held the first endowed chair in Buddhist Studies in the Western world as the Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies in the Department of Religion at Columbia University. He served in the role for three decades before retiring in 2020. As president of the American Institute of Buddhist Studies at Columbia University, he also organised the First Inner Science Conference with His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Amherst College in 1984.
A lifelong friend of the Dalai Lama and the first Westerner to be ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist monk by His Holiness, Thurman devoted his life to preserving Tibetan culture and advancing the study and practice of Buddhism in the United States. A prolific scholar, translator and author, he published numerous influential works, including Why the Dalai Lama Matters, Wisdom Is Bliss, and a widely acclaimed translation of the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Even after retiring from Columbia University in 2020, Thurman remained deeply engaged in his work with Tibet House US and collaborated with Lion’s Roar on the 2023 online event, the Dalai Lama Global Vision Summit.
In recognition of his contributions to literature, education, and the preservation of Buddhist knowledge, the Government of India awarded Thurman the Padma Shri in 2020.
Thurman is survived by his wife, Birgitte Caroline “Nena” von Schlebrügge, 85, and their five children: Dechen, Ganden, Mipam, Taya, and Uma Thurman.
