Uma Thurman's doting father Robert passed away at the age of 84 on Tuesday, June 16, in Woodstock, New York. His death was confirmed by the non-profit Buddhist foundation he co-founded, Tibet House US. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
A Life Dedicated to Buddhism
Robert A.F. Thurman was a prominent American Buddhist scholar, author, and translator. He co-founded Tibet House US and his teachings influenced countless lives. Born in New York in 1941, his life took a dramatic turn at age 20 when a freak car tyre accident left him with a glass eye. This near-death experience led him to divorce his wife, drop out of university, and travel the world, eventually reaching India. There, he converted to Buddhism under the guidance of the Dalai Lama and spent three years as a monk.
Family and Upbringing
Robert raised his daughter Uma in the Buddhist faith, including a two-year stint in an Indian commune for Western Buddhists. Despite this, Uma has insisted he never forced his beliefs on his children. In an interview with the Irish Examiner, she said: "There's been a lot written about my upbringing, making it sound as if it were some hippie-dippy childhood, but that's totally absurd. There's an assumption that because someone is a Buddhist, they are a leftie loose cannon, unusually weird, and that's complete baloney! I was brought up in academic housing, I went to school, my father was a professor. It was all extremely normal."
Tributes and Privacy Request
Tibet House US posted a statement on Instagram: "We are deeply saddened to announce that Robert A.F. 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 included the Sanskrit mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum" and added that the family requests privacy at this time.
