Taipei: The Office of Tibet and Tibetan Association in Taiwan collaboratively hosted a Summer Tibetan Language and Culture Tour for Taiwan-based Tibetan students from 23 to 25 August 2024.
The participants, including students and their parents, gathered at the Gosok Tsechen Kunphen Ling monastery located in the Pintung region. During the gathering, Representative Kelsang Gyaltsen Bawa elucidated the objectives of the programme. Following that, Gosok Kunphenling monastery’s Chugpo Rinpoche delivered a welcome address to the students and their parents. Likewise, the Secretary of the Office of Tibet introduced the 3-day program scheduled for the attendees.
After the briefings, the monastery visit was conducted under the guidance of Buddhist philosophy teacher of the Office of Tibet and Gosok Kunphenling monastery’s Chugpo Rinpoche. Throughout the visit, the students were instructed on the significance of butter lamps, incense, the method of prostration, the use of offerings, and the underlying philosophical principles to acquaint them with Tibetan cultures. They further provided cultural context to help the students appreciate the relevance of these practices.
During the tour’s second day, the participants proceeded with the review of the programs from the previous day and then received an in-depth introduction about the Tibet Map. In the afternoon, they embarked on an excursion to Longluantan Nature Center, Eluanbi Lighthouse, the southernmost point of Taiwan, and Kenting Nanwan Park, all situated in the southern region of Taiwan.
On the third day, the students received Children’s phonetic textbooks published by the Department of Education, which facilitated their introduction to reading and writing of Tibetan alphabet. As part of the third-day activity, the organisers conducted a handwriting contest and the two best students were awarded for their outstanding handwriting skills. In addition, the students were also acquainted with traditional Tibetan food, such as barley flour (Tsampa), during breakfast and were instructed about its preparation.
On the final day of the tour, attendees and their parents convened at the hall of the Gosok Tsechen Kunphen Ling Monastery for the closing ceremony.
Before successfully wrapping up the tour, Representative, the Office of Tibet’s Buddhist philosophy teacher, and Chugpo Rinpoche addressed the participants and parents, underscoring pivotal role that parents play in making their children connected with Tibetan traditions and languages.
-Report filed by Office of Tibet, Taiwan
