On Tuesday, June 16, 2026, the Western Tibetan Buddhist community lost one of their biggest acolytes in the passing of Robert (Bob) Thuman, the internationally lauded scholar, esteemed professor, prolific translator, and author, affectionately known as Bob. As an author, Thurman is remembered for penning some twenty-three books. As an entrepreneur and promulgator of Tibetan Buddhism and culture, Bob is remembered for cofounding Tibet House as well as the Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, New York. (Thurman is also on record for being the first Western Tibetan Buddhist monk ordained by His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, though he did disrobe some time later.) And yet to reduce and oversimplify Thurman’s contributions to the dharma is to miss the forest for the trees. More than anything, Thurman’s impact is felt in all of those who knew him and were touched by his teachings, his charisma, and his presence.

We highly recommend you seek some of the many tributes to Bob now online. Here we present a small sampling of this wonderful man's wit, energy, enthusiasm and dedication.

Books