Jigme Norbu, an Ambassador for World Peace, following in the footsteps of his father, Taktser Rimpoche, the late Professor Thubten J. Norbu of Indiana University, another walker/marcher for world peace, was killed on a dark Florida highway as he was completing the first day of a Walk for Tibet along the coast of southeast Florida.
From the website: WalkforTibetFlorida.
“Offers to help- please continue to spread the news Jigme wote about on www.AmbassadorsforWorldPeace.org , donations made through the donate button on that site and www.WalkforTibetFlorida.com go directly to Ambassadors for World Peace, a 501c3 organization. In time, the family, His Holiness and interested others will decide how to proceed. Jigme had intended to set up Center for World Peace in honor of his father, Dr. Thubten J Norbu. While the Tibetan cause is central to their lifelong work and efforts, both Dr. Norbu and Jigme had dreams for the wider spread of World Peace, Human Compassion and Human Freedom of Expression and Dignity, as espoused so elegantly by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”
Back in the 1990’s, when my son Jim was a student at Indiana University and studying the Tibetan language, he often invited me to attend teachings and activities at the Tibetan Cultural Center. I had the honor of meeting both Professor and Mrs. Norbu, as well as their family. I have a dim memory of meeting Jigme when he was a young man. Occasionally, while Jim was a student at IU, or visiting there later, we ate at the Snow Lion, the Norbu family restaurant. My heart is very heavy for the entire Norbu family, including His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. May Jigme Norbu’s work for world peace and for Tibet continue through those who love and admire him.
I knew his father while @ IU. His father was known on campus as Norbu. I was in charge of the Lycea Dinner Series for 2 years. Norbu always bought series tickets. He always wore his black robe and traditional sandal. He was a fixture on campus for years and was the reason that his brother, the Dalai Lama, visited several years ago.
So interesting to learn that you knew Norbu. Jim, a devote of HH, the Dalai Lama, always refers to Professor Norbu as “Rimpoche.” I’m not sure whether Jim was ever a student in his classes; perhaps Rimpoche had retired by then. I remember meeting him several times at the Tibetan Cultural Center and thought he was quite a character. I loved his book, Tibet is my Country and would like to read his study of Tibetan history and culture. Once, Jim and I were fortunate enough to meet HH, the Dalai Lama, at the center. There is a blog about that event, buried in here somewhere. HH visited in Calgary last fall and Jim was invited to some of the backstage events—-very thrilling for him. Jim has given public lectures about HH and also has talked about him on Canadian radio and tv. Jim collects info about HH and has made a study of his life.