A look at conditions in Tibet today and what we can learn about the role of joy in confronting the challenges in the Trump era

Professor Robert Thurman holds the Jay Zong Kah-pa Robert Thurman Chair of Indo-Tibetan Studies at Columbia University. He is the President of Tibet House US in New York City – which is dedicated to preserving Tibetan civilization. The New York Times has hailed Bob as the “leading American expert on Tibetan Buddhism.” And Time and People magazines listed him as one of 25 most influential Americans today.  In 1962, Prof. Thurman was ordained as a Buddhist monk by the Dalai Lama, with whom he has remained a close colleague to this day.  He is a passionate advocate not only for the rights of Tibetans but for human rights and social justice globally. He has been sought by policy makers on the Tibetan holocaust, and has testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.  Bob has written many books on Tibetan culture, art, politics and Buddhism. His earlier book “Inner Revolution: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Real Happiness” laid down the argument that individual happiness is interrelated with the happiness of all which can serve as a guide for social activism as well. His most recent book co-written with artists is "Man of Peace: The Illustrated Life Story of the Dalai Lama of Tibet" -- a marvelous 300 page comic book, more or less with exquisite illustrations presenting the entire life of the Dalai Lama. His website is BobThurman.com