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The Plight of Tibet
The people of Tibet lived in relative isolation on the high Himalayan plateau for centuries, and their distinctive culture evolved into one of the most peaceful and deeply religious cultures in humanity. Tibetans have been dependent on their pastoral and nomadic way of life, living in harmony with the natural resources in the varied geographical areas of Tibet. Tibetan Buddhism evolved in isolation and Tibet's monasteries became the foundation of the culture, providing a system of education and the basis of the economy. The Tibetan way of life has been threatened with extinction since the invasion and occupation by Chinese forces which began in the 1940s and 50s.
The threat continues today, as China controls and plunders all of Tibet's once rich natural and economic resources. China's policy has been to repress all religious activity, and thousands of monasteries were detroyed. China provides incentives to its citizens to relocate to Tibet, so that now Chinese outnumber Tibetans in their own land. Economic opportunity is denied to Tibetans, Tibetan language is suppressed, Tibetan run schools are suppressed, and of course, dissent is brutally supressed.
Tibetans live wth the daily realities of hardship and supression, as well as the threat of imprisonment and torture. More than 2 million Tibetans are believed to have lost their lives since occupation began.
For more information, please explore the links below. In particular, the official site of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Government in Exile provides extensive information.
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Tibetans in Vermont
Help Create a Little Piece of Tibet, Here in Vermont
Did you know there are more than 100 Tibetans now living in Vermont? We are grateful for the new lives we can lead here, with security and opportunity we could not find in exile, or under Chinese occupation in Tibet.
Even so, among our families in Vermont are many children who may grow up never laying eyes upon a golden stupa, or hear the sacred sounds echoing down from a Tibetan monastery. They may know the animal at the heart of our farming and nomadic culture, the yak, only as a picture in a book.
Our dream is to preserve the Tibet that has come to symbolize peace and serenity throughout the world, not only as our homeland in the high Himalayas, but in our hearts and lives. We wish to pass on to our children the language, traditions and ways of Tibet. We wish to create a place where Tibetan culture can continue to grow and thrive.
The foundation of our dream is a new Tibetan Community and Cultural Center
We envision a Center in Burlington, Vermont, which can be reached easily by all members of the Tibetan community. It will be built with architectural features traditional in Tibet, and will be large enough to accommodate all our community gatherings. We foresee a place where classes and exhibitions can be held, Tibetan goods can be sold, books and texts can be read and Tibetan food can be enjoyed — all by anyone interested in Tibet.
Your gift will help Tibetan culture thrive in Vermont
Please join us in our efforts to preserve Tibetan Culture, and help strengthen bridges between the Tibetan families of the Burlington area and the wider community of Vermont. Tibetan Association of Vermont is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your contribution may be tax deductible. All donations will be acknowledged with a receipt.
Please include the following information when contacting us:
You can visit our web site here:
Tibetan Association of Vermont
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Links about TIbet - and ways you can help
Free Tibet Campaign
TibetNet - Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts
Palyul Ling, a Nyingmapa Center of Tibetan Buddhism
International Tibet Support Network
A network of Tibet related non-governmental organisations from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australasia and Europe
Tibet Information Network
An independent news and research service
Students for a Free Tibet
International network promoting education and non-violent action
Canada Tibet Committee
Home of the World Tibet Network News and Archive which features daily news reports about Tibet
Tibet Online
a virtual community space for the Tibet movement, with links to Tibet groups around the world
Tibet Foundation
Creating awareness of Tibetan culture
Tibet Vigil
The weekly vigil in London
France - Tibet
Tibet support group based in Paris. Includes an English language section
backingpersecution.com
As long as BP remains invested in PetroChina, BP continues Backing Persecution
Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy
based in Dharamsala it works to protect and promote human rights of the Tibetan people
Government of Tibet In Exile
Official site of the Dalai Lama
Tibetan Community in Britain
Events and awareness raising by Tibetans living in Britain
Voice of Tibet
Daily RealAudio broadcasts in Tibetan
Meridian Trust
Buddhist film and video archive
Climb for Tibet
raising funds and awareness through sponsored climbs, runs and walks
World Artists for Tibet
Artists' initiative to combat human rights violations
The Gere Foundation
assists the cultural survival of the Tibetan people
Act for Tibet
supports Tibet by promoting non-violent, positive actions
Tibet Dreams
A new shop based in London selling stylish clothing designed by young Tibetans as well as books and CDs on Tibet.
Note: G.G.T. Tibet Inn provides these links as an informational service. We are not responsible for the content of other websites. Please let us know if any links are broken, thank you.
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