Robert A.F. Thurman

Dr. Robert A.F. Thurman is professor emeritus of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University and the first Western Tibetan Buddhist monk ordained by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. A charismatic speaker and author of many books on Tibet, Budhism, art, politics and culture, Bob Thurman has done much to popularize the Buddha’s teachings, for followers of any or no religion. He was named the leading American expert on Tibetan Buddhism by The New York Times and was awarded the Padma Shri Award in 2020, for his help in recovering India’s ancient Buddhist heritage. Time Magazine named him one of the 25 most influential Americans in 1997, describing him as a “larger than life scholar-activist destined to convey the Dharma, the precious teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha, from Asia to America.” He is the founder of the American Institute of Buddhist Studies as well as founder and president of Tibet House US. His latest books are, Man of Peace: Illustrated Biography of the Dalai Lama, and Wisdom Is Bliss.