TJ
Robert Thurman
Robert Thurman
Meet the First American Monk of Tibetan Buddhism
Dr. Robert Thurman has some unique distinctions. In 1965, he became the first Westerner to be ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist Monk by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Not only was he a student of the Dalai Lama, but he became the spiritual leader’s tutor, sharing his Harvard University and Phillips Exeter Academy education on topics ranging from psychology to physics and world history. He went on to create the field of “Buddhology.” TIME magazine chose Professor Thurman as one of its 25 most influential Americans in 1997, and The New York Times stated that he “is considered the leading American expert on Tibetan Buddhism.” His search for enlightenment began while he was a university student. After losing the use of his left eye from an accident, he left Harvard to go on a spiritual quest through Europe, the Middle East and Asia. He first saw the Dalai Lama in India in 1962. Not long after being ordained, however, he decided he could be more effective in a university than a monastery, and in 1967 he resigned his monk’s vows of celibacy and went on to obtain an M.A. as well as a Ph.D. in Sanskrit Studies from Harvard University in 1972. He is now a Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies in the Department of Religion at Columbia University (the first endowed chair in this field of study in the U.S.). He is also President of Tibet House US, a nonprofit organization he co-founded with actor Richard Gere and two others dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Tibetan civilization. He’s also President of the American Institute of Buddhist Studies, a nonprofit affiliated with the Center for Buddhist Studies at Columbia University dedicated to the publication of translations of important artistic and scientific treatises from the Tibetan Tengyur. He is a speaker and an author of books on Tibet, Buddhism, art, politics and culture. His daughter, who also serves on the Board of Trustees of Tibet House US, is the Academy Award-nominated actress Uma Thurman. Tokyo Journal Executive Editor Anthony Al-Jamie spoke to Robert Thurman about the Global Compassion Summit and 80th birthday celebration for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Buddhism, his extraordinary life and his current projects.
Volume 36. Issue #278
Contents |
|
| 1. Tokyo Street Editorial Inside this issue |
24. Kōhaku The coolest music competition in the world |
| 2. Designs Inspired by Vessels (二ヵ国語) Junko Koshino’s fashion |
25. Join the Night Shift L.A.’s Citrus College students go pro |
| 3. Harajuku Fashion Walk Kawaii style on parade |
26. The Ramones Bob Gruen’s photo flashback |
| 4. Streetstyle Glamour Fashionistas that are streets ahead |
27. The Shut In Donald Richie on Somerset Maugham |
| 5. Actress Charlotte Kate Fox The American dream in Japan |
28. Through the Eyes of Yankelovich Challenging the economist worldview |
| 6. Actress Sumire Matsubara Returning to her Japanese roots |
29. Corporate Governance Code in Japan A Japan Revitalization Strategy measure |
| 7. Ain't No Mountain High Enough Japan's youngest conquers Everest |
30. Japan America Society of Southern California President Douglas Erber on SoCal’s bridge to Japan |
| 8. His Holiness the Dalai Lama 80th birthday celebration in California |
31. David Nunan’s Global Classroom Education & the virtual classroom |
| 9. George Foreman on Muhammad Ali From fighting to peace and compassion Japan’s Minister of Education |
32. The Chaotic Contrasts of Kathmandu Nepal’s contemporary third-world landscape |
| 10. Nobel Prize Laureate Takaaki Kajita Resolving the neutrino puzzle |
33. Heroes of the Himalayas The Sherpa: mountaineering and trekking guides |
| 11. CNN News Anchor Don Lemon Breaking the news to the world |
34. Mari’s Homemade Cooking Recipes Miso-marinated pork |
| 12. The Beach Boys Mike Love still having Fun, Fun, Fun |
35. Sake & Wine Cultures in Japan Genealogical differences between sake and wine |
| 13. The Harlem Globetrotters Basketball ambassadors celebrating 50 years |
36. Chef Ben Ford Reviving diversity in the Republic of Georgia/td> |
| 14. US Sumo Open Largest sumo event outside Japan |
37. Whole-Wheat Spaghetti with Edamame Pesto Super healthy, quick and tasty pasta recipe |
| 15. DRUM TAO's Drum Art Taiko drumming with a visual bang |
38. Travel to Hokkaido Japan’s untamed wilderness is a tourist treat |
| 16. Design Festa Art, performance, fashion and music bonanza |
39. Taking the Higher Road (二ヵ国語) Photographer Hiroyuki Suzuki’s visual poetry |
| 17. Virtually Falling in Love Voltage Inc.’s Japanese romance apps |
40. Destined Encounter of Enishi The meaning of encounters in Japan |
| 18. Cheeky Parade Up-and-coming Japanese idol group |
41. Samurai Spirit Samurai choreographer talks about virtue in Japan |
| 19. The Ambassadress of Cute Japan’s cute fashion rep Kimura U |
42. Sightseeing and People Watching in Japan Tokyo’s top people-watching spots for tourists |
| 20. Cosplay as a Career Professional cosplayer Nekomu Otogi |
43. Garrity’s Japan Japanese conformity |
| 21. All-4-One The Dukes of R&B for 20 years |
44. Haitian Culture Various styles of Haitian art |
| 22. DIR EN GREY Two decades of pushing musical boundaries |
45. Parenting with Lorraine Living vicariously through your children |
| 23. Loudness Japan’s heavy metal pioneers thunder on |
46. Lifestyles Expat life |
| 47. Yoga Lifestyle Minds and machines |
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Fireworks in Kansai
Fireworks in Kansai
Check out the amazing fireworks festivals in the Kansai region this summer!
Fireworks in Tokyo
Fireworks in Tokyo
Be sure to check out one of the many amazing fireworks festivals in Tokyo this summer!
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