Robert Thurman, PhD, is professor emeritus at Columbia University where he was a teaching professor for 50 years on Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies. He was the first Westerner Tibetan Buddhist monk, ordained by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, for a short time and became a Tibetan Buddhist lay teacher. Robert is a close friend with His Holiness the Dalai Lama for 60 years. He is a leading worldwide lecturer on Tibetan Buddhism, skilled translator of Tibetan Sanskrit Buddhist literature, and passionate activist for the plight of the Tibetan people. Robert is a Padma Shri honoree from the President of India for bringing back Indian Buddhist literature that had gotten lost from the 12th Century. He is Co-Founder and President of Tibet House US/Menla, the cultural center in service of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the people of Tibet. He is host of the Bob Thurman Podcast: Buddhas Have More Fun. He is author of many books, including Why the Dalai Lama Matters: His Act of Truth as the Solution for China, Tibet, and the Whole World and Infinite Life: Awakening to Bliss Within. He is coauthor of Man of Peace: The Illustrated Life Story of the Dalai Lama of Tibet and Love Your Enemies: How to Break the Anger Habit and Be a Whole Lot Happier. His most recent book is Wisdom is Bliss: Four Friendly Fun Facts That Can Change Your Life. His website is bobthurman.com.
