06/17/2026
Upon hearing the sad news of the passing of Mr. Robert Thurman, I was deeply saddened. He was a remarkable figure in the dissemination of Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetan culture in the West. Many people know that he was held in high regard by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In addition, he was a devoted practitioner and supporter of the teachings of Je Tsongkhapa.
His passing is a great loss to Western followers of Buddhism, to the Tibetan cause, and particularly to the Gelug tradition. Yet, since impermanence is the nature of all conditioned phenomena, there is nothing we can do but accept this reality. The most meaningful way to honor him is not merely to mourn his passing, but to strive to fulfill the aspirations and values to which he dedicated his life.
I pray that he may attain a fortunate rebirth, encounter the Buddha’s teachings once again, be guided by a qualified spiritual teacher, and continue a life devoted to Dharma practice for the benefit of all beings.
Sincerely,
Geshe Lobsang Dhargye and all of us at DNKL
