Modi Condoles Death of Buddhist Scholar Robert Thurman, Calls Him ‘Lifelong Friend of India’
New Delhi — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed grief over the death of Robert A. F. Thurman, calling the Padma Shri awardee an eminent Buddhist scholar, distinguished teacher and “lifelong friend of India.”
Thurman, a leading American scholar of Tibetan Buddhism, died Tuesday in Woodstock, New York, at the age of 84, according to Tibet House US. He was a longtime friend of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and was widely known for his work in Buddhist studies, translation and teaching.
“Deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Robert A. F. Thurman, an eminent scholar of Buddhism, a distinguished teacher and a lifelong friend of India. Through his works, he popularised Buddhist thoughts globally and also built enduring bridges of understanding between cultures. I fondly recall our meeting in New York City a few years ago, where we had an excellent conversation. My thoughts are with his family, friends and admirers in this hour of grief,” Modi wrote on X.
Tibet House US announced Thurman’s death in a social media post Wednesday.
“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,” the post said.
“The Thurman family requests privacy at this time,” it added.
Modi met Thurman in New York on June 21, 2023. During the meeting, the two discussed how Buddhist values could help guide solutions to global challenges. They also discussed India’s Buddhist heritage and efforts to preserve it, according to a government statement.
The Consulate General of India in New York also expressed condolences over Thurman’s death.
“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 said in a post on X.
“Professor Thurman’s lifelong dedication to Indo-Tibetan Buddhist studies helped to 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,” it added.
According to the Central Tibetan Administration, Thurman wrote, edited and translated several books on Tibetan Buddhism. He was the father of actress Uma Thurman and served as the Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies in the Department of Religion at Columbia University.
Thurman also served as president of Tibet House US and the American Institute of Buddhist Studies. He translated the Vimalakirti Sutra from the Tibetan Kagyur into English and was widely recognized for his translations and explanations of Tibetan Buddhist religious and philosophical texts.
He was named one of Time magazine’s 25 most influential Americans in 1997, and New York Magazine later listed him among its “Influentials” in religion. (Source: IANS)
