On Wednesday, 20 April, the famous American scientist, writer, public figure, president and founder of the Tibet House U.S. Robert Thurman visited the non-governmental Museum named after Nicholas Roerich. Professor R.Thurman is the Chair Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies named after Jey Tsong Khapa at Columbia University. He is also the translator of many Oriental philosophic manuscripts into English, author of scientific and publicist works.

During his visit to the International Centre of the Roerichs Professor Thurman got acquainted with the exposition of the non-governmental Museum named after Nicholas Roerich and made clear his keen interest in the unique museum collection of original Roerichs’ paintings, rare exhibits; of particular interest for the well-known orientalist was the three-dimensional map of Roerichs’ Central-Asian expedition, where the Professor found Himalayan places familiar to him. Professor Thurman was pleased to know that he visited the world’s largest non-governmental Museum with the biggest collection of original paintings by the Roerichs.

He acknowledged the important role of Nicholas Roerich in studying Asia, treasures of which he captured in his paintings. Most of these paintings are now at the Museum named after Nicholas Roerich in Moscow and they create a special energy of this museum. The famous American scientist especially emphasized the role of Nicholas Roerich in promoting the ideas of the Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace in the prewar years, which present the world’s cultural treasures which need to be protected from destructions. According to Mr. R.Thurman, the non-governmental Museum named after Nicholas Roerich is a proof that Nicholas Roerich’s spirit in some sense continues to live within its walls. And as for the museum employees, - they continue his great work, promoting Knowledge and Peace on our planet.

Quite interesting is the fact that professor Thurman with great piety relates to Russian spiritual culture as his spiritual mentor in the USA was Kalmyk monk Geshe Ngawang Wangyal who was born in Russia. He belonged to The Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and was one of the first teachers of Tibetan Buddhism in the USA. Besides, according to Mr.Robert Thurman his senior spiritual mentor in some sense is the teacher of Geshe Ngawang Wangyal, a famous Buryat teacher, educator, scientist, diplomat, religious, state and public figure of Russia, Tibet and Mongolia Agvan Lobsan Dorzhiev. As it is known, Agvan Dorzhiev and Nicholas Roerich participated in construction of the first European Buddhist temple in Saint-Petersburg dedicated to Kalachakra. The temple celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2015.

Photos by Dmitry Kulyanitsa