History

Background - Loss of Freedom and Flight

Hope . . .

In 1951,Tibet was occupied by the People's Republic of China and annexed, violating human rights. After the violent suppression of the popular revolt against Chinese oppression in 1959, H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama, the spiritual and political leader of Tibet, and approx. 120,000 Tibetans (that was the count in the year 2000) were forced to leave their homeland. The refugees sought shelter primarily in the Himalayan countries, prevalently India and Nepal to build a new existence in freedom and dignity.

Shortly after his arrival in Dharamsala, in northern India, the Dalai Lama formed a government in exile with a democratic structure. From there he guides the political, cultural and religious business and destinies of the Tibetan community that is strewn across the world. As early as in 1963, the Dalai Lama, who has a liberal attitude and is politically farsighted, created a democratic constitution that is in accordance with modern times and has been amended in 1991 according to new insights.

In 1979, by invitation of the Chinese Government, the Dalai Lama sent a delegation to Tibet for the first time, in order to assess the political, economic, cultural and religious situation in Tibet. Thanks to this informative voyage followed by three others, the suffering that had befallen the Tibetan people under the colonial domination of the Peoples Republic of China and their situation of extreme need was made apparent to a large sector of the public. At the time, approximately 90% of the Tibetan cultural heritage had been destroyed.
The Buddhist religion forbids the Tibetan people to solve problems and conflicts by resorting to violence. Since their exile, they have led a quiet and non-violent campaign to regain the liberty of their country and its people.

The Condition of Exile and its Consequences

When the Tibetans were first exiled they were generously aided by countless international humanitarian organizations. Yet slowly the attention of the world was caught by numerous other tragic political events and catastrophes of every kind that were happening in the rest of the world.
Today, many needy Tibetan communities, especially those located in remote areas in India and Nepal have once again been left to fend for themselves.
Many Tibetans live modestly or in poverty in large or small settlements in the hopes of one day returning to their homeland. Their average yearly income of between CHF$ 600 to CHF$ 800 (US$ 460 to US$$ 610) is derived primarily from agriculture, a modest production of handmade wares and trade.

There is lack of proper care for countless elderly people, malnutrition and illness are still taking their toll. It is often impossible for parents to pay tuition fees for the education of their children. For these reasons, many young Tibetans are unable to acquire a higher education that could later be a foundation for a secure existence.

Cloisters and the Buddhist Education

In Cloisters the Monks often share their meager meals with the young Tibetans who are still fleeing Tibet in great numbers seeking a traditional education in the Tibetan cloisters of India and Nepal. These cloisters represent the spiritual and cultural centers of the Tibetans. There learned teachers preserve the 1,300 year old cultural heritage, the philosophy and psychology as well as that of the Buddhist teachings that are passed on to the new generations of monks and nuns. There literature, poetry, painting, sculpture, music and dance, history, medicine and astrology are also taught.

Creating the Foundation for Long-lasting Self-sufficiency in Indien, Ladakh and Nepal

Thanks to the support of the Indian government and contributions from numerous, mostly private, charitable organizations, but particularly, thanks to their own great and efficient contribution, the Tibetans have been able to build an infrastructure that functions well. But financial means are yet scarce to continue the initiated and planned projects.
Boarding schools have been built in India, Nepal and Ladakh that have been financed primarily by contributions from Europe. Countless sponsorships have made it possible for Tibetan children in these schools to be raised well and to receive a good education.
Scattered all over India, but also in Nepal, infirmaries have been set up whose finance and maintenance is yet uncertain.
Today, continuous aid and support are necessary in order to continue to manage the projects that have been initiated with such great contributions.

TIBETFREUNDE would like to make its contribution towards this goal.