Thubten Jigme Norbu, 1922-2008

The body of Thubten Jigme Norbu, eldest brother of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, is being cremated today in Bloomington, Indiana. Norbu, known to Tibetan Buddhists as Taktser Rinpoche, died late Friday at the age of 86 (87 by Tibetan reckoning). Among his many other accomplishment, Norbu began one of America's first Tibetan studies programs, at the University of Indiana.

Thubten Jigme Norbu also was known for being more militant than his younger brother regarding the Chinese occupation of Tibet. Norbu took a hard-line approach, favoring independence for Tibet rather than autonomy.

Obituaries:

• International Herald Tribune
• Los Angeles Times