B. Alan Wallace, Tsongkhapa

Robert Thurman is an American author, academic, and translator recognized for his extensive work on Tibetan Buddhism. He held the distinction of being the first endowed chair in Buddhist Studies in the West, serving as the Je Tsongkhapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University until his retirement. Thurman was also instrumental in co-founding Tibet House US in New York, an organization dedicated to preserving Tibetan culture.

His academic career followed a significant personal transformation. After an accident in 1961, Thurman traveled extensively in Asia, where he encountered Geshe Wangyal and later the 14th Dalai Lama, who ordained him as the first American Buddhist monk in the Tibetan tradition. He later renounced his monastic vows to marry and pursue his doctoral studies at Harvard University. Thurman's scholarly contributions include influential translations of key Buddhist texts and numerous books exploring Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and practice. His work has been recognized with several awards, including India's Padma Shri.

Robert Thurman has made substantial contributions to the academic study of Tibetan Buddhism. As the Je Tsongkhapa Professor at Columbia University, a position he held until his retirement, he was the first to occupy an endowed chair for Buddhist Studies in the Western world. His academic output includes authoring, editing, and translating numerous books that have introduced Tibetan Buddhist thought to a wider audience. He is particularly noted for his translations of complex texts, such as Tsongkhapa's "Essence of Eloquence," which scholars like Matthew Kapstein have described as a "staggering achievement" due to the text's profound difficulty. Thurman's translation of the Vimalakirti Sutra has also been praised for its clarity and style by Buddhologist Jan Nattier.

In 1986, at the request of the Dalai Lama, Robert Thurman co-founded Tibet House US with his wife, Nena von Schlebrügge, Richard Gere, and Philip Glass. This non-profit organization is dedicated to the preservation of Tibetan culture, particularly in exile. Under Thurman's leadership, Tibet House US has grown to include initiatives like the Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa, a healing arts center rooted in Tibetan medical traditions and other holistic practices. The organization plays a vital role in maintaining Tibetan cultural heritage and making its wisdom accessible.

Thurman's path to becoming a leading figure in Tibetan Buddhism involved a profound personal transformation. Following a serious accident in 1961, he embarked on a journey through Asia, leading him to study with Geshe Wangyal and eventually the 14th Dalai Lama. He was ordained as a Buddhist monk in 1965, marking him as the first American to receive this ordination in the Tibetan tradition. He and the Dalai Lama developed a close friendship. Later, he left monastic life to marry and pursue his academic career, earning a Ph.D. from Harvard. His personal life is also notable, being the father of actress Uma Thurman and grandfather to Maya Hawke.