Robert Thurman, Buddhist scholar and father of Uma Thurman, dies at 84

Robert Thurman, the Buddhist author and academic and father of Uma Thurman, has died. He was 84.

Tibet House US, the New York cultural center he cofounded, announced his death in an Instagram post on Wednesday, June 17.

"We are deeply saddened to announce that Robert A.F. Thurman @bob__thurman, prominent American Buddhist scholar, co-founder of Tibet House US, author and translator whose teachings shaped countless lives, died Tuesday morning, June 16, in Woodstock, New York," the center wrote in a collaborative post with his page.

The center shared the Sanskrit mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum," meaning "the jewel in the lotus," a chant thought to bring peace. It added, "The Thurman family requests privacy at this time."

USA TODAY has reached out to the Thurman family for comment.

Throughout his career, the former Columbia University professor wrote, edited and translated over 20 books about Tibetan Buddhism and related works, including the international bestseller "Inner Revolution." The award-winning scholar was the first American ordained as a monk in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition after studying under the 14th Dalai Lama, close friend Tenzin Gyatso, as noted in a 1996 New York Times profile. A year later, he renounced his monk status to marry his second wife, the former fashion model, psychotherapist and mother of Uma Thurman, Nena Thurman.

Thurman created Tibet House US in 1986 alongside his wife, Buddhist actor Richard Gere and Buddhist pianist Philip Glass, at the Dalai Lama's request. He also served as president of the center.

Thurman is survived by his wife, their children Uma, Ganden, Dechen and Mipam Thurman, as well as his daughter Taya Thurman – through his first marriage to the late oil heiress Christophe de Menil. He had several grandchildren, including Maya Hawke and the late artist Dash Snow, and a great-granddaughter through Snow.