Austrian students’ tryst with Tibet in Dharamshala
Monday, 17 September 2007, 9:00 a.m.
 Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche speaking to Austrian Students on 15 September (Photo by Sangjey Kep)
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Dharamshala: A group of 29 university students from Austria, presently on an education exchange program in coordination with New-Delhi based Jawaharlal Nehru University, visited Dharamshala from 14 – 16 September to learn about the culture, education, religion and history of Tibet.
On 14 September, the students explored Tibetan handicrafts and traditional artifacts at Tibetan handicraft centre.
Later, they visited Tibetan Reception Centre, including a talk by the director Mr Dorjee, briefing them on the rehabilitation facilities provided to Tibetan refugees reaching Nepal, Delhi and Dharamshala, after a month-long arduous journey across the Himalaya risking their life.
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He also spoke on the restrictions of learning language, culture and religion in Tibet under Chinese government, prompting many Tibetans to come into exile in India, where they have the freedom to study their own language, culture, religion, and to uphold Tibetan identity.
Later afternoon, Mr Thubten Samphel, Information Secretary of Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), addressed the students on Middle-Way Approach, and initiatives of Central Tibetan Administration’s peaceful negotiations with the People’s Republic of China to resolve the issue of Tibet.
A talk on Buddhism was given by Geshe Lhakdor, the director of Library of Tibetan Works and Archives. This was followed by a visit to Tibetan Medical and Astro Institute.
Next day, Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche spoke to the students on civilization and historical background of Tibet. He briefed them on Tibetan settlements and establishments in India since 1960.
Kalon Tripa also briefed them on the chronology of Tibetan fact finding delegations’ visit to Tibet in the 1980s and the six rounds of dialogue with People’s Republic of China.
The students also visited Tibetan Children’s Village school, one of the largest Tibetan educational institutions in India.
