Robert Thurman is a well-known author and professor of Indo-Tibetan studies at Columbia University. He directs Tibet House in New York

In October 2005, Lelung Rinpoche completed a successful trip to New York where he met with friends and supporters to discuss his work. He visited the Tibetan Buddhist Resource Centre and met with its Executive Director Gene Smith.

Over the years Gene has been able to collect many of the Fifth Lelung Rinpoche's teachings as well as those of other masters. Some time ago, Gene generously offered some of these teachings to Rinpoche. This time--at their first meeting--Gene offered additional teachings in the form of books, which Rinpoche has been anxiously searching for.

Rinpoche also met with author and scholar Robert Thurman who is founder of Tibet House, a cultural center dedicated to preserving and promoting Tibetan Buddhism. They discussed the progress on a book on the history of the Lelung lineage written by the current Lelung Rinpoche. Robert said Tibet House will publish his book as soon as proofreading is finished. Rinpoche greatly appreciates Robert's kindness in publishing this work about the Lelung lineage.