Uma Thurman's father Robert dead at 84: Buddhist monk made history in encounter with Dalai Lama

Robert Thurman, a Columbia professor and the father of actress Uma Thurman, passed away at the age of 84. He was renowned for being the first Westerner to be ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist monk by the Dalai Lama, a significant moment highlighted on his official website. This achievement underscores Thurman's profound influence in bridging Eastern spirituality and Western academia, making his legacy both personal and universal. His contributions to cross-cultural understanding and Buddhism's global reach are still felt today.