Writer Robert Thurman: Biography and Creativity

Few will dare to go against the established way of life and the established principles of society. Many simply adapt and live an unremarkable life. However, there are those who are ready to go against everyone for the sake of their ideas, and Robert Thurman is one of them.

Biography

The full name of the American scientist, public figure and wonderful writer - Robert Alexander Farrar Thurman. He was born in New York, on August 4 in 1941. His best friend and teacher is the Dalai Lama. He has five children. Everyone knows the popular actress Uma Thurman. So this beautiful actress is his daughter. Robert Thurman travels around the globe, lectures. He is charismatic and he has enthusiasm, which attracts the public. In 1997, in the magazine Time, he was included in the list of 25 most influential people in America. Robert Thurman is the author of scientific and journalistic works, also a wonderful translator. Thurman is popular both as a scientist and as a person struggling for Tibetan culture.

Young Robert Thurman was not delighted with the life of America. He had a connection with the movement of Fidel Castro. And in 1961, as a result of turbulent events, he lost his eyes. This is not the end of the setbacks. He was expelled from Exter Academy. After which he entered Harvard, but after studying for a year, he left the university and decided to go to India.

Life in India

Robert Turman attracted this country with its ancient history and unique, unlike American culture. Local residents received him very hospitably, which gave him the opportunity to meet with Hindu piles, Sufists, Buddhist monks. It was here that he became acquainted with Tibetan culture. This meeting gave him a feeling he was always looking for. He realized that he had found his place and house.

Buddhism

Robert comes to the funeral of his father, meets with Geshe Wangyal, who lived in the United States of America and was the first monk of Tibetan Buddhist culture. In 1964, he introduced Robert to the Dalai Lama. And soon Thurman becomes the first monk in America, moreover, and took vows from the most famous teacher. He wanted to learn a lot from this society of seekers of enlightenment. Communication with the monks enriched his inner world. He drew knowledge with huge parties, so needed information Robert Thurman. His biography is closely connected with Buddhism.

Career

Returning to America, he withdrew from himself the monk's vows, over which he lived for five years. He did not want this. But it was impossible to live a monk in America. He was looked upon as a madman. Relatives and friends, passers-by looked with apprehension in his direction. He was very upset that he had to do it, because in Buddhism if once he took off the vow, there would be no turning back. His teacher, the Dalai Lama, was very upset and offended by Robert, but then forgave.

Thurman continued his studies in the field of Buddhism. Even his children believe in past and future lives, and his wife practices Buddhism. He taught the canon languages, worked with Buddhist texts. Since the university for him was similar to monasticism, he again began to learn. He returned to Harvard, and in 1969 received a master's degree, and in 1972 graduated from the doctorate in the sphere of Sanskrit ideology. In 1973-1988, he studied teaching, religious studies at Ahmerst College, then moved to Columbia University.

Now Robert Thurman is the professor-head of the department in the direction of the Indo-Tibetan teaching named after Zhe Tsonkapa at the University of Colombia.

Creation

Creativity of Robert Thurman is based on the culture of Buddhism and the outlook on life and the world in which man lives. His experience of five years of life as a monk, traveling through India and Tibet, and for many years studying Buddhism helped him write wonderful books and become a great writer. Thurman speaks of wisdom as a source of happiness. Buddhism helps him to realize how our brain works, to understand the emotions that we feel, to use the ideas that come to us.

The author through his books talks about the principles of mutual understanding and kindness. He propagandizes a good attitude towards people, teaches us to achieve the goal through kindness and mutual assistance. And also he notes that the more a person cares about achieving his own well-being, the more disappointed in life. This is the reality that Robert describes in his books. Whatever happens, a person lives or dies, but the truth does not change. When a person treats her with understanding, he does not suffer. When reality is not accepted, the person lives in an imaginary world, in constant struggle. And the feeling of dissatisfaction makes humanity unhappy. Also, envy and the constant race for worldly goods remove people from knowledge and wisdom. Discussions on these issues are filled with books by Robert Thurman.

For example, in the book "Infinite Life: The Seven Virtues of a Good Life", he touches on the theme of being. The questions of life and happiness are revealed, it is described how to find it. It is very important in this matter to have not only knowledge, but also faith.

He also wrote a detailed book about his teacher called "Why do we need the Dalai Lama?". The writer Robert Thurman on the shelves puts the meaning of the teachings of Buddhism. He explains to the reader why the Dalai Lama conquers love and respect around the world. He also reveals the theme of the restoration of Tibet in the People's Republic of China. He constantly calls humanity to peace.

The author describes five steps that would help the Tibetan Plateau become the largest natural reserve in the world. This book is not only about Buddhism and its teacher, it is also about simple and unusual ways of solving conflict situations around the world. His methods of mediation are based on humanity and freedom. The book describes how ignorance and stupidity lead to destruction.

Translations

The works of Robert Thurman also include translations. For example, the "Tibetan Book of the Dead" is an ancient text that the writer was trying to acquaint the general public with, and he gives a very detailed account of the Buddhist vision of the worlds that is revealed to man after death, and the book includes comments adapted to the Western reader. Interesting and informative translation.