Difference between revisions of "Thubten Jigme Norbu"
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[[File:NorbuandbrotherDalaiLama.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Norbu with brother [[14th Dalai Lama|Tenzin Gyatso]], in 1996]] | [[File:NorbuandbrotherDalaiLama.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Norbu with brother [[14th Dalai Lama|Tenzin Gyatso]], in 1996]] | ||
| − | Thubten Jigme Norbu (Tibetan: ཐུབ་བསྟན་འཇིགས་མེད་ནོར་བུ་, Wylie: Thub-stan 'Jigs-med Nor-bu) (August 16, 1922 – September 5, 2008) recognised as the [[Taktser Rinpoche]], was a Tibetan [[lama]], writer, civil rights activist and professor of Tibetan studies and is the eldest brother of the [[fourteenth Dalai Lama]], Tenzin Gyatso. He was one of the first high-profile Tibetans to go into exile and was the first Tibetan to settle in the United States. | + | [[Thubten Jigme Norbu]] ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|ཐུབ་བསྟན་འཇིགས་མེད་ནོར་བུ་}}, Wylie: Thub-stan 'Jigs-med Nor-bu) (August 16, 1922 – September 5, 2008) recognised as the [[Taktser Rinpoche]], was a [[Tibetan]] [[lama]], writer, civil rights activist and {{Wiki|professor}} of [[Tibetan studies]] and is the eldest brother of the [[fourteenth Dalai Lama]], [[Tenzin Gyatso]]. He was one of the first high-profile [[Tibetans]] to go into exile and was the first [[Tibetan]] to settle in the [[United States]]. |
| − | ==Early life== | + | ==Early [[life]]== |
| − | Thubten Jigme Norbu was born in 1922 in the small, mountain village of Tengtser in the Amdo County of Eastern Tibet. At the age of three, he was recognized by the [[13th Dalai Lama|Dalai Lama]] as the 24th incarnation of [[Taktser Rinpoche]]. At the age of eight, he was taken to [[Kumbum Monastery]] in Amdo, the birthplace of Lama [[Tsong Khapa]] who is the founder of the [[Gelugpa]] sect of [[Tibetan Buddhism]]. | + | [[Thubten Jigme Norbu]] was born in 1922 in the small, mountain village of Tengtser in the [[Amdo]] County of Eastern [[Tibet]]. At the age of three, he was [[recognized]] by the [[13th Dalai Lama|Dalai Lama]] as the 24th [[incarnation]] of [[Taktser Rinpoche]]. At the age of eight, he was taken to [[Kumbum Monastery]] in [[Amdo]], the birthplace of [[Lama]] [[Tsong Khapa]] who is the founder of the [[Gelugpa]] sect of [[Tibetan Buddhism]]. |
| − | Historically, Kumbum was also the frequent residence of previous [[Dalai Lama]]s and [[Panchen Lama]]s. At Kumbum, Norbu began his training as a monk. At the age of 27, he was selected to serve as the abbot of Kumbum Monastery. At this time, Kumbum was one of the largest monasteries in Eastern Tibet. | + | Historically, [[Kumbum]] was also the frequent residence of previous [[Dalai Lama]]s and [[Panchen Lama]]s. At [[Kumbum]], Norbu began his training as a [[monk]]. At the age of 27, he was selected to serve as the [[abbot]] of [[Kumbum Monastery]]. At this [[time]], [[Kumbum]] was one of the largest [[monasteries]] in Eastern [[Tibet]]. |
| − | Kumbum, however was one of the first areas to be invaded by the army of the People's Republic of China (PRC). The PRC held Norbu under house arrest in the monastery, sleeping in his room and following him 24 hours a day. The PRC demanded that he travel to Lhasa, denounce the Tibetan government, and denounce his younger brother the Dalai Lama | + | [[Kumbum]], however was one of the first areas to be invaded by the {{Wiki|army}} of the {{Wiki|People's Republic of China}} (PRC). The PRC held Norbu under house arrest in the [[monastery]], [[sleeping]] in his room and following him 24 hours a day. The PRC demanded that he travel to {{Wiki|Lhasa}}, denounce the [[Tibetan]] government, and denounce his younger brother the [[Dalai Lama]]o was then about 15 years old. Norbu pretended to agree with the PRC's demands and, as a result, was able to reach {{Wiki|Lhasa}} to warn his brother of the seriousness of the {{Wiki|Chinese}} invasion. |
==In exile 1950-2008== | ==In exile 1950-2008== | ||
| − | Norbu decided in 1950 that he would leave Tibet and attempt to educate the world about the atrocities in Tibet and the actions of the PRC. | + | Norbu decided in 1950 that he would leave [[Tibet]] and attempt to educate the [[world]] about the atrocities in [[Tibet]] and the [[actions]] of the PRC. |
| − | After leaving Tibet, Norbu worked continually for Tibet and the Tibetans in exile. He served as the Representative of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government-in-Exile to Japan and North America. He also served as Professor of Tibetan Studies at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. He wrote a number of books, including, in 1959, his autobiography, Tibet Is My Country as told to Heinrich Harrer and in 1968 Tibet: Its History, Religion and People, with Colin Turnbull. During the years, Norbu frequently lectured about the Tibetan situation at seminars throughout the world. | + | After leaving [[Tibet]], Norbu worked continually for [[Tibet]] and the [[Tibetans]] in exile. He served as the Representative of the [[Dalai Lama]] and the [[Tibetan]] Government-in-Exile to [[Japan]] and {{Wiki|North}} {{Wiki|America}}. He also served as {{Wiki|Professor}} of [[Tibetan Studies]] at Indiana {{Wiki|University}} in Bloomington, Indiana. He wrote a number of [[books]], including, in 1959, his autobiography, [[Tibet]] Is My Country as told to {{Wiki|Heinrich Harrer}} and in 1968 [[Tibet]]: Its {{Wiki|History}}, [[Religion]] and [[People]], with Colin Turnbull. During the years, Norbu frequently lectured about the [[Tibetan]] situation at seminars throughout the [[world]]. |
| − | In 1979, Rinpoche founded the Tibetan Cultural Center (TCC) in Bloomington, a center devoted to preserving Tibetan culture and religion. In 1989, Colin Turnbull came and participated in the building of Tibetan Cultural Center with him. The facility, renamed the Tibetan-Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center (or TMBCC) in 2006, has a Cultural Building, housing Tibetan works of art such as a [[Bhaisajyaguru|Medicine Buddha]] [[sand mandala]], and Tibetan butter sculptures. The Cultural Building also has a library of Tibetan-related works and a gift shop where visitors may purchase articles made by Tibetan refugees in exile. | + | In 1979, [[Rinpoche]] founded the [[Tibetan]] {{Wiki|Cultural}} Center (TCC) in Bloomington, a center devoted to preserving [[Tibetan]] {{Wiki|culture}} and [[religion]]. In 1989, Colin Turnbull came and participated in the building of [[Tibetan]] {{Wiki|Cultural}} Center with him. The facility, renamed the Tibetan-Mongolian [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|Cultural}} Center (or TMBCC) in 2006, has a {{Wiki|Cultural}} Building, housing [[Tibetan]] works of [[art]] such as a [[Bhaisajyaguru|Medicine Buddha]] [[sand mandala]], and [[Tibetan]] butter sculptures. The {{Wiki|Cultural}} Building also has a library of Tibetan-related works and a gift shop where visitors may purchase articles made by [[Tibetan]] refugees in exile. |
| − | His brother the Dalai Lama has visited the TMBCC on five separate occasions. In 1987, he dedicated the Changchub Chorten; in 1996 the Dalai Lama consecrated the cornerstone of the Kumbum Chamtse Ling Temple; in 1999, he was at the Center for 12 days when he gave the [[Kalachakra]] Initiation for World Peace and Harmony for the [[Kalachakra stupa]]; in 2003, the Dalai Lama dedicated the Kumbum Chamtse Ling Temple in an interfaith ceremony; in 2007 he dedicated a new arch at the temple as well as holding a series of classes over six days. | + | His brother the [[Dalai Lama]] has visited the TMBCC on five separate occasions. In 1987, he dedicated the Changchub [[Chorten]]; in 1996 the [[Dalai Lama]] [[consecrated]] the cornerstone of the [[Kumbum]] Chamtse Ling [[Temple]]; in 1999, he was at the Center for 12 days when he gave the [[Kalachakra]] [[Initiation]] for [[World]] [[Peace]] and [[Harmony]] for the [[Kalachakra stupa]]; in 2003, the [[Dalai Lama]] dedicated the [[Kumbum]] Chamtse Ling [[Temple]] in an interfaith ceremony; in 2007 he dedicated a new arch at the [[temple]] as well as [[holding]] a series of classes over six days. |
| − | ==Independence walks== | + | =={{Wiki|Independence}} walks== |
| − | In 1995, Norbu co-founded the International Tibet Independence Movement (ITIM). He has led three walks for Tibet's independence. In 1995, he led a week-long walk 80 miles from Bloomington, Indiana to Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1996, this was followed by a 300-mile, 45 day walk from the PRC embassy in Washington, D.C. to the United Nations Headquarters surrounded by New York City. The following year, he led a 600-mile walk from Toronto to New York City, beginning on March 10 (Tibetan Uprising Day) and ending June 14 (Flag Day). In 1998, ITIM walked for independence starting in Portland, Oregon and ending in Vancouver. In 2000, one arm of ITIM walked from San Francisco and another from San Diego. The two branches met in Los Angeles to greet the Dalai Lama who was giving a teaching and empowerment at Thupten Dhargye Ling. | + | In 1995, Norbu co-founded the International [[Tibet]] {{Wiki|Independence}} {{Wiki|Movement}} (ITIM). He has led three walks for Tibet's {{Wiki|independence}}. In 1995, he led a week-long walk 80 {{Wiki|miles}} from Bloomington, Indiana to Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1996, this was followed by a 300-mile, 45 day walk from the PRC embassy in Washington, D.C. to the United Nations Headquarters surrounded by {{Wiki|New York}} City. The following year, he led a 600-mile walk from {{Wiki|Toronto}} to {{Wiki|New York}} City, beginning on March 10 ([[Tibetan]] Uprising Day) and ending June 14 (Flag Day). In 1998, ITIM walked for {{Wiki|independence}} starting in Portland, Oregon and ending in Vancouver. In 2000, one arm of ITIM walked from San Francisco and another from San Diego. The two branches met in {{Wiki|Los Angeles}} to greet the [[Dalai Lama]] who was giving a [[teaching]] and [[empowerment]] at Thupten Dhargye Ling. |
| − | ==Life in The US== | + | ==[[Life]] in The US== |
| − | Norbu lived at the Tibetan-Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center with his wife Kunyang. They have three sons, Lhundrup, Kunga and Jigme Norbu, all born in New York. In late 2002, Norbu suffered a series of strokes and became an invalid. In 2005, the Dalai Lama appointed Arjia Rinpoche, another former abbot of Kumbum Monastery, to take over the directorship of the Tibetan-Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center. Norbu remained until his death part of the daily life of the TMBCC where he was acclaimed as the founder of the facility and the foremost proponent in the world for the recognition and preservation of the culture of Tibet. | + | Norbu lived at the Tibetan-Mongolian [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|Cultural}} Center with his wife Kunyang. They have three sons, Lhundrup, Kunga and Jigme Norbu, all born in {{Wiki|New York}}. In late 2002, Norbu [[suffered]] a series of strokes and became an invalid. In 2005, the [[Dalai Lama]] appointed Arjia [[Rinpoche]], another former [[abbot]] of [[Kumbum Monastery]], to take over the directorship of the Tibetan-Mongolian [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|Cultural}} Center. Norbu remained until his [[death]] part of the daily [[life]] of the TMBCC where he was acclaimed as the founder of the facility and the foremost proponent in the [[world]] for the [[recognition]] and preservation of the {{Wiki|culture}} of [[Tibet]]. |
| − | Norbu died at the age of 86 on September 5, 2008 at his home in Indiana in the United States having been ill for several years. His body was cremated in a traditional Buddhist ceremony. His youngest son, Jigme, died at the age of 45 on February 14, 2011 while carrying on his father's work. He was hit by a car in Florida during a walk to promote Tibetan independence and raise awareness of Tibet. | + | Norbu [[died]] at the age of 86 on September 5, 2008 at his home in Indiana in the [[United States]] having been ill for several years. His [[body]] was {{Wiki|cremated}} in a [[traditional]] [[Buddhist]] ceremony. His youngest son, Jigme, [[died]] at the age of 45 on February 14, 2011 while carrying on his father's work. He was hit by a car in Florida during a walk to promote [[Tibetan]] {{Wiki|independence}} and raise [[awareness]] of [[Tibet]]. |
==Writings== | ==Writings== | ||
| − | *Tibet Is My Country is his autobiography dictated to Heinrich Harrer in 1959, and updated with a new essay in 1987 and 2006 | + | *[[Tibet]] Is My Country is his autobiography dictated to {{Wiki|Heinrich Harrer}} in 1959, and updated with a new essay in 1987 and 2006 |
| − | *Tibet: Its History, Religion and People, co-written with Colin Turnbull in 1968 | + | *[[Tibet]]: Its {{Wiki|History}}, [[Religion]] and [[People]], co-written with Colin Turnbull in 1968 |
| − | *Tibet: The Issue Is Independence - Tibetans-in-Exile Address the Key Tibetan Issue the World Avoids is an essay collection from 1994 by Tibetans in the diaspora (mainly Tibetan Americans) and features an introduction by Norbu | + | *[[Tibet]]: The Issue Is {{Wiki|Independence}} - Tibetans-in-Exile Address the Key [[Tibetan]] Issue the [[World]] Avoids is an essay collection from 1994 by [[Tibetans]] in the diaspora (mainly [[Tibetan]] Americans) and {{Wiki|features}} an introduction by Norbu |
| − | *Norbu and Robert B. Ekvall provided the first English translation of the Tibetan play originally authored by the fifth Panchen Lama Lobsang Yeshe Younger Brother Don Yod in 1969. | + | *Norbu and Robert B. Ekvall provided the first {{Wiki|English}} translation of the [[Tibetan]] play originally authored by the fifth [[Panchen Lama]] [[Lobsang Yeshe]] Younger Brother Don Yod in 1969. |
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
Latest revision as of 07:26, 17 September 2013
Thubten Jigme Norbu (Tibetan: ཐུབ་བསྟན་འཇིགས་མེད་ནོར་བུ་, Wylie: Thub-stan 'Jigs-med Nor-bu) (August 16, 1922 – September 5, 2008) recognised as the Taktser Rinpoche, was a Tibetan lama, writer, civil rights activist and professor of Tibetan studies and is the eldest brother of the fourteenth Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. He was one of the first high-profile Tibetans to go into exile and was the first Tibetan to settle in the United States.
Early life
Thubten Jigme Norbu was born in 1922 in the small, mountain village of Tengtser in the Amdo County of Eastern Tibet. At the age of three, he was recognized by the Dalai Lama as the 24th incarnation of Taktser Rinpoche. At the age of eight, he was taken to Kumbum Monastery in Amdo, the birthplace of Lama Tsong Khapa who is the founder of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
Historically, Kumbum was also the frequent residence of previous Dalai Lamas and Panchen Lamas. At Kumbum, Norbu began his training as a monk. At the age of 27, he was selected to serve as the abbot of Kumbum Monastery. At this time, Kumbum was one of the largest monasteries in Eastern Tibet.
Kumbum, however was one of the first areas to be invaded by the army of the People's Republic of China (PRC). The PRC held Norbu under house arrest in the monastery, sleeping in his room and following him 24 hours a day. The PRC demanded that he travel to Lhasa, denounce the Tibetan government, and denounce his younger brother the Dalai Lamao was then about 15 years old. Norbu pretended to agree with the PRC's demands and, as a result, was able to reach Lhasa to warn his brother of the seriousness of the Chinese invasion.
In exile 1950-2008
Norbu decided in 1950 that he would leave Tibet and attempt to educate the world about the atrocities in Tibet and the actions of the PRC.
After leaving Tibet, Norbu worked continually for Tibet and the Tibetans in exile. He served as the Representative of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government-in-Exile to Japan and North America. He also served as Professor of Tibetan Studies at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. He wrote a number of books, including, in 1959, his autobiography, Tibet Is My Country as told to Heinrich Harrer and in 1968 Tibet: Its History, Religion and People, with Colin Turnbull. During the years, Norbu frequently lectured about the Tibetan situation at seminars throughout the world.
In 1979, Rinpoche founded the Tibetan Cultural Center (TCC) in Bloomington, a center devoted to preserving Tibetan culture and religion. In 1989, Colin Turnbull came and participated in the building of Tibetan Cultural Center with him. The facility, renamed the Tibetan-Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center (or TMBCC) in 2006, has a Cultural Building, housing Tibetan works of art such as a Medicine Buddha sand mandala, and Tibetan butter sculptures. The Cultural Building also has a library of Tibetan-related works and a gift shop where visitors may purchase articles made by Tibetan refugees in exile.
His brother the Dalai Lama has visited the TMBCC on five separate occasions. In 1987, he dedicated the Changchub Chorten; in 1996 the Dalai Lama consecrated the cornerstone of the Kumbum Chamtse Ling Temple; in 1999, he was at the Center for 12 days when he gave the Kalachakra Initiation for World Peace and Harmony for the Kalachakra stupa; in 2003, the Dalai Lama dedicated the Kumbum Chamtse Ling Temple in an interfaith ceremony; in 2007 he dedicated a new arch at the temple as well as holding a series of classes over six days.
Independence walks
In 1995, Norbu co-founded the International Tibet Independence Movement (ITIM). He has led three walks for Tibet's independence. In 1995, he led a week-long walk 80 miles from Bloomington, Indiana to Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1996, this was followed by a 300-mile, 45 day walk from the PRC embassy in Washington, D.C. to the United Nations Headquarters surrounded by New York City. The following year, he led a 600-mile walk from Toronto to New York City, beginning on March 10 (Tibetan Uprising Day) and ending June 14 (Flag Day). In 1998, ITIM walked for independence starting in Portland, Oregon and ending in Vancouver. In 2000, one arm of ITIM walked from San Francisco and another from San Diego. The two branches met in Los Angeles to greet the Dalai Lama who was giving a teaching and empowerment at Thupten Dhargye Ling.
Life in The US
Norbu lived at the Tibetan-Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center with his wife Kunyang. They have three sons, Lhundrup, Kunga and Jigme Norbu, all born in New York. In late 2002, Norbu suffered a series of strokes and became an invalid. In 2005, the Dalai Lama appointed Arjia Rinpoche, another former abbot of Kumbum Monastery, to take over the directorship of the Tibetan-Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center. Norbu remained until his death part of the daily life of the TMBCC where he was acclaimed as the founder of the facility and the foremost proponent in the world for the recognition and preservation of the culture of Tibet.
Norbu died at the age of 86 on September 5, 2008 at his home in Indiana in the United States having been ill for several years. His body was cremated in a traditional Buddhist ceremony. His youngest son, Jigme, died at the age of 45 on February 14, 2011 while carrying on his father's work. He was hit by a car in Florida during a walk to promote Tibetan independence and raise awareness of Tibet.
Writings
- Tibet Is My Country is his autobiography dictated to Heinrich Harrer in 1959, and updated with a new essay in 1987 and 2006
- Tibet: Its History, Religion and People, co-written with Colin Turnbull in 1968
- Tibet: The Issue Is Independence - Tibetans-in-Exile Address the Key Tibetan Issue the World Avoids is an essay collection from 1994 by Tibetans in the diaspora (mainly Tibetan Americans) and features an introduction by Norbu
- Norbu and Robert B. Ekvall provided the first English translation of the Tibetan play originally authored by the fifth Panchen Lama Lobsang Yeshe Younger Brother Don Yod in 1969.
Source
