UA philosophy professor 'extraordinary,' 'life-changing,' colleagues and students say
Profile
Pamela Acosta
Issue date: 3/26/08 Section: News
He decided he wanted to study in India and traveled for three days and four nights by train to pursue his dream of education. He didn't have much money and did not want to use it, even when hunger hit him, he said.
After arriving in India at age 13, Dorjee immersed himself in his studies at the Drepung Loseling Monastery in Karmataka, studying 18 hours a day with only a couple of hours of sleep each night.
He was ordained Buddhist monk by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1986. After 30 years of study, Geshe received the degree of Geshe Lharampa in 1994, the highest scholastic honor, equivalent to a doctor of philosophy. He was then given the name of Thupten Dorjee, Thupten after his mentor, a name he shares with the Dalai Lama, and Dorjee, a name picked for him by his teacher.
Despite his title, Dorjee said his greatest weakness is his lack of education. His interest is Western culture, he said.
SPIRITUAL GUIDE
Dorjee is the only Tibetan with a Geshe Lharampa degree to be teaching full-time in an American university, according to the Fulbright College Web site. Geshe Lharampa means spiritual guide, a title his UA students have come to understand after spending time with him.
"It's like I was given a Buddhist walking encyclopedia," Burris said. "I can ask him anything and he just gives me the answers. And he's taught me a lot in the kitchen, too."
Burris has been studying Buddhist philosophy off and on for 30 years, but he didn't grasp the concept until after he met Dorjee, he said.
"You can hear how to play basketball from Michael Jordan, but until you get out into the court with Michael Jordan, you won't understand how to play like Michael Jordan. You finally understand," Burris said.
Dorjee's students describe him as an example to be followed and a great teacher.
Stephen Coger, a senior creative writing major, met Dorjee after taking Introduction to Buddhist Philosophy.
"It was just the most life-changing experience," Coger said. "He equips people with these time-tested, years-old methods to deal with situations of day-to-day life."
After arriving in India at age 13, Dorjee immersed himself in his studies at the Drepung Loseling Monastery in Karmataka, studying 18 hours a day with only a couple of hours of sleep each night.
He was ordained Buddhist monk by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1986. After 30 years of study, Geshe received the degree of Geshe Lharampa in 1994, the highest scholastic honor, equivalent to a doctor of philosophy. He was then given the name of Thupten Dorjee, Thupten after his mentor, a name he shares with the Dalai Lama, and Dorjee, a name picked for him by his teacher.
Despite his title, Dorjee said his greatest weakness is his lack of education. His interest is Western culture, he said.
SPIRITUAL GUIDE
Dorjee is the only Tibetan with a Geshe Lharampa degree to be teaching full-time in an American university, according to the Fulbright College Web site. Geshe Lharampa means spiritual guide, a title his UA students have come to understand after spending time with him.
"It's like I was given a Buddhist walking encyclopedia," Burris said. "I can ask him anything and he just gives me the answers. And he's taught me a lot in the kitchen, too."
Burris has been studying Buddhist philosophy off and on for 30 years, but he didn't grasp the concept until after he met Dorjee, he said.
"You can hear how to play basketball from Michael Jordan, but until you get out into the court with Michael Jordan, you won't understand how to play like Michael Jordan. You finally understand," Burris said.
Dorjee's students describe him as an example to be followed and a great teacher.
Stephen Coger, a senior creative writing major, met Dorjee after taking Introduction to Buddhist Philosophy.
"It was just the most life-changing experience," Coger said. "He equips people with these time-tested, years-old methods to deal with situations of day-to-day life."
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