Robert A. F. Thurman is the Je Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University, the first endowed chair in this field of study in the United States. He is also the President of the American Institute of Buddhist Studies, a non-profit affiliated with the Center for Buddhist Studies at Columbia University and dedicated to the publication of translations of important texts from the Tibetan Tanjur, and the co-founder and president of Tibet House U.S., a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Tibetan civilization. Dr. Thurman is highly-regarded for his lucid, dynamic translations and explanations of Buddhist religious and philosophical material, particularly that pertaining to the Gelukpa school of Tibetan Buddhism and its founder, Je Tsong Khapa, including The Tibetan Book of the Dead (1994), Inner Revolution: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Real Happiness (1999), and Infinite Life: Seven Virtues for Living Well (2004).

To these self-confident researchers, the idea that the spirit might exist apart from the body is just ridiculous. Instead, everything arises from atoms. Genes shape temperament. Brain chemicals shape behavior. Assemblies of neurons create consciousness. Free will is an illusion. Human beings are “hard-wired” to do this or that. Religion is an accident.

The visit by the Dalai Lama, who arrived here Thursday afternoon on a flight from Japan, is his first to the United States since the onset of international protests over the Chinese crackdown in Tibet. But the trip was planned long before the recent troubles, and few expect him to use it to begin making demands for Tibetan independence.

RANGOON, Burma (AP) — More than 100 Buddhist monks marched and chanted in northern Myanmar for nearly an hour Wednesday, the first public demonstration since the government's deadly crackdown last month on pro-democracy protesters, two monks said.

Pema Chodron who is well known for her teachings of meditation and its application to everyday life was recently interviewed on Faith and Reason, a PBS program hosted by Bill Moyers, an outspoken critic of corporate media.

Earlier today, the Blogisattva blogsite announced the 2007 Blogisattva Award nominations honoring English-language Buddhist blogging during calendar year 2006.

I am pleased to announce the nominees for the 2007 Blogisattva Awards, honoring excellence in English-language Buddhist blogging during calendar year 2006. This year, there are an aggregate 115 nominees in 21 categories.

Geeking out soon...