Robert "Bob" Thurman: Unique Voice for Tibetan Freedom and a Buddhist "Cool (R)evolution"

What is it about?

"Finding a place for Skilful Distortions" is an examination of the various works and contributions of Professor Robert A. F. Thurman as a leading voice for the Tibetan freedom struggle. Since becoming the first Westerner to become a Buddhist monk in the Tibetan tradition (in 1964) under the guidance of HH the 14th Dalai Lama (and being the first to disrobe) Thurman has written and spoken many passionate and scholarly works arguing for the spread of Buddhist practice and for the freedom of the Tibetan people. This current work seeks to unpack the wealth of Thurman's contribution in this area and examine whether or not Thurman's occasionally controversial presentation of both Tibet and Buddhism can be viewed as a traditional Buddhist "upaya" or skilful means to help relieve the world's suffering.

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Why is it important?

The importance of this work lies in its original analysis of Robert Thurman's wide ranging contribution to the Tibetan peoples' struggle for freedom from Chinese occupation and to the popularisation of Buddhism as one of the fastest growing religions in the West.