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Dalai Lama's longtime friend, Padma Shri Robert Thurman, passes away
Prof. Thurman, the father of actress Uma Thurman, was the Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies in the Department of Religion at Columbia University.
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IANS - Wed, 17, Jun 2026
- 03:24 EDT
- 97
Robert Thurman / IANS
One of the renowned international scholars of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Prof. Robert Thurman, who was conferred one of India's highest civilian awards, the Padma Shri, and a longtime friend of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, has died at the age of 84, Tibet House US said June 17.
“We are deeply saddened to announce that Robert A.F. Thurman @bob__thurman, prominent American Buddhist scholar, co-founder of Tibet House US, author and translator whose teachings shaped countless lives, died Tuesday morning, June 16, in Woodstock, New York,” a post said.
“The Thurman family requests privacy at this time,” it added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Prof. Thurman in New York on June 21, 2023. At the meeting, Prime Minister Modi and Prof. Thurman exchanged perspectives on how Buddhist values can act as a guiding light for finding solutions to global challenges.
They also discussed India's Buddhist connection and efforts being made by India for the preservation of Buddhist heritage, according to a Government of India statement.
“Deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Robert Thurman, one of the world's foremost scholars of Buddhism and a great friend of India,” the Consulate General of India in New York said in a post on X.
“Professor Thurman's lifelong dedication to Indo-Tibetan Buddhist studies helped bring the timeless wisdom of Lord Buddha to generations across the world and deepened appreciation of India's rich spiritual heritage. We extend our sincere condolences to Mrs. Nena Thurman and the bereaved family,” the Consulate General added.
According to the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), headquartered in this Himachal Pradesh hill station, Prof. Thurman has written, edited and translated several books on Tibetan Buddhism.
Prof. Thurman, the father of actress Uma Thurman, was the Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies in the Department of Religion at Columbia University.
He was also the president of Tibet House US and the American Institute of Buddhist Studies. He translated the Vimalakirti Sutra from the Tibetan Kagyur into English.
Prof. Thurman is highly known for his translations and explanations of Tibetan Buddhist religious and philosophical materials. He was named one of the 25 most influential Americans of 1997. In 2006, New York Magazine named him one of the “Influentials” in religion.
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