The preservation of Tibetan culture & traditions: KRF’s approach
Tibetan Buddhist monks in exile
The preservation of Tibet’s cultural and spiritual traditions, involves helping its people – both in Tibet and in exile – and supporting the continuation of their customs, spiritual practice, knowledge and wisdom. There are two principle ways in which KRF Development has approached this:
1. Through preservation projects involving direct support for Tibetan people, particularly Tibetan refugees who have the freedom to uphold their beliefs, and construction of and assistance to Tibetan schools and monastic institutes.
2. Through providing resources for the interested public, mainly non Tibetans, who wish to learn more about Tibetan culture and Buddhism.
In order for traditional Tibetan culture to survive in and outside of Tibet, assistance must be given knowledgeably so that Tibetans can benefit from their restored freedom. Having had little exposure to life outside of Tibet, many Tibetan refugees adjusting to life in exile tend to be easily influenced by Western culture, often opting for Western medicine and other aspects of Western culture over their own traditions. Furthermore, although Tibetan refugees living in exile have the freedom to practice Dharma, the vast majority of them lives in poverty and struggles for their basic needs. Without education and guidance, young Tibetan refugees are at risk of over-idealizing Western culture. Furthermore, enduring the struggles of being refugees in a new land, young Tibetans are more vulnerable to turning towards drug and alcohol abuse.
With this situation in mind, a more realistic objective seems to involve not only helping to support the basic needs of Tibetans as refugees, but to focus on educating the children, encouraging their interaction with the older generation of knowledge holders and allowing those who so wish, to uphold the Tibetan monastic tradition. At the same time, it is important to respond to the sincere interest the westerners have consistently shown to Buddhist philosophy and Tibetan culture, by providing the resources and conditions needed to make the profound insights and wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism accessible to them.
For these reasons, Songtsen places particular importance on projects focused on the construction and support of Tibetan cultural centers and monastic institutes, and on the sponsorship of Tibetan refugee children, whether they be laypersons, monks or nuns (see also Siddhartha).
Helpful links: