India: Seeking Peace in Troubled Times, Lessons from the Tibetan Diaspora
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Tibetan Prayer Flags in Dharamsala, India
The Chinese invaded Tibet in 1950. After nine years of occupation and negotiation the Dalai Lama, the spiritual and political leader of the Tibetan people fled Tibet and was granted asylum in India, in the wake of an attack on Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. To date, 1 in 6 Tibetans have been killed, and Tibetans in Tibet risk torture and death for possessing a picture of the Dalai Lama, their religious leader. Fleeing this repression, thousands of refugees have followed the Dalai Lama into exile, most arriving in the Himalayan mountain town of Dharamsala.
This Alternative Break trip will explore the Tibetan refugee experience, one that is particularly important because the Tibetans have in many ways successfully rebuilt their culture in the context of a new home. In Dharamsala, they have constructed a democratic government, rebuilt monasteries, and created a renowned school system. However, as their religion and people continue to be marginalized in Tibet, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the Tibetans in exile to preserve their culture in India, a place where even those born in Dharamsala, never having seen Tibet, are given the temporary title of “refugee” and are in effect country-less.
This trip will focus on three main concepts. The first, how Tibetans have rebuilt many of their institutions to create an infrastructure for a working society. We will visit some of these institutions, such as the Government-in-Exile, the Tibetan Youth Congress, and the several educational establishments.
Secondly, we’ll examine how the Tibetans have worked to preserve their culture and religion. We’ll visit monasteries, centers for preserving artisanship, and historical museums.
Finally, we will study the changing roles of people within the Tibetan Diaspora. We will speak with women’s rights advocates, religious leaders, political prisoners, and modern families. We will explore the positive and negative effects of Tibet’s opening up to the world after centuries of self-imposed isolation.
A trip to Dharamsala will provide the first-hand experience needed for American University students to better understand, explore, and begin to create solutions for refugees everywhere. Witnessing the Tibetan’s story first hand will provide a valuable lesson for the world.
Community engagement and service work during the trip
- Home stays with Tibetan families and in Monasteries
- Community service projects in Tibetan schools and other institutions
- English conversation with ex-political prisoners
- Independent Study Projects with members of the community. Possible projects include, jewelry making, language study, Tibetan cuisine, and independent research projects.
- Listen to diverse speakers including, political activists, monks, ex-guerrilla fighters, and women’s rights activists.
About the student leaders…
Ellie Ezzell is a Sophomore double majoring in Political Science and International Relations. In 2008 she spent three months living with Tibetan communities in India, including one month in Dharamsala. The Tibetan’s struggle and message of peace inspired in her an interest in peace studies as well as examining the human effects of international legal conflicts. Since then she has maintained close ties to her host family and people that she met in India and is looking forward to returning to a people and a place that she loves.
Kathleen McKenna is a Sophomore majoring in Sociology and Women's, Gender & Sexuality Studies. She intends to pursue a career working with incarcerated women. She is interested in nonviolent movements, religion, and the role of women within global societies. She has done previous work in impoverished areas of the United States, worked with women's groups, and studied the role of women within the Buddhist faith.
Rachel Lynne Smith is a sophomore at AU double majoring in Film & Media Arts and Sociology. Passionate about both journalism and social justice, she intends to pursue a career in international and environmental documentary film making. Rachel has always had an interest in Southern Asia and is committed to learning and sharing as much information as she can about the intriguing culture and complicated issues of the area.
Tentative Itinerary
Day 1
Leave Washington, D.C. for New Delhi, India
Day 2
Arrive in New Delhi
Day 3
Leave Delhi for Dharamsala by plain
Walk “Monastery loop” around the Dalai Lama’s Namgyal Monastery
Day 4
Dharamsala orientation
Visit Tibetan Museum at Namgyal Monastery
Talk with Pema, a young Tibetan refugee
Tibetan movie viewing
Day 5
Meet with a Tibetan historian at the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan studies
Lunch at the Peace Café, the historical meeting place for activists
Volunteer at Tibet Hope Centre teaching English
First night with host families
Day 6
Tour the Tibetan Government-in-Exile’s headquarters
Speaker from the Government, Karma Thinlay
Visit the Library of Tibetan Works & Archives and the Cultural Museum
Introduction to Independent projects (ISP)
Day 7
Begin ISP’s
Speaker from the Tibetan Youth Congress
Volunteer at the Tibet Hope Centre
Day 8
ISP’s
Speaker, Lhasang Tsering on the Tibetan militant movement
Visit the Tibetan Children’s Village and discuss the Tibetan school system
Cooking Lesson at Llamo’s Kitchen
Day 9
ISP’s
Meet with Students for a Free Tibet activists
Speaker from the Tibetan Conflict Resolution Center to speak on tensions between local Indian population and the Tibetan refugees
Volunteer with Gu-Chu-Sum (organization to help former political prisoners)
Yoga
Day 10
Spend the day at the Norbulingka Institute and see traditional Tibetan crafts and art
Audience with his holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa
Day 11
Free day with host family
Host family celebration
Last night with host family
Day 12
Day trip to Palmpour
Visit Palmpour tea cooperative
Short trek to Bunla Chasm
Visit Tashijong Gompa
Move into Monastery
Day 13
Begin two day class on Buddhism at the College for Higher Tibetan Studies
Return to Monastery to volunteer
Day 14
Day two of class on Buddhism
Return to Monastery to volunteer
Day 15
ISP’s
Meditation class at the Monastery
Speaker Rinchen Khando Choegyal from the Tibetan Women’s Association and the Tibetan Nun’s Project
Volunteer at monastery
Movie at the movie theater
Day 16
ISP’s
Audience with Tenzin Palmo, the first Western nun, to discuss the changing role of Women in Tibetan Buddhism
Volunteer at Yongling and Creche School
Tibetan dance recital
Day 17
Last full day in Dharamsala
Free day
Group dinner and Tabla concert
Last night in the Monastery
Day 18
Take bus to Pathankot
Leave for Delhi on overnight train
Day 19
Arrive in Delhi
Shopping in Connaught Circle and Fab India
Visit Lodi Garden
Visit Tibet House Museum
Dinner in Manjulcatilla (Delhi Tibetan Community)
Bollywood Movie
Day 20
Leave Delhi for Washington, D.C.
Day 21
Arrive in D. C.
