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In New York, there is the Tibet House, founded by Robert Thurman, Richard Gere and Philip Glass. The center is dedicated to preserving Tibet's art and culture and to extending its systems of philosophy and mind sciences to the public.

The Rubin Museum of Art at 150 W17th Street contains exquisite ancient tapestries and thankhas from Tibet. It is currently featuring an exhibit of modern art devoted to artists' interpretation of the vision and teachings of HH the Dalai Lama. 

The Namgyal Institute of Buddhist Studies in Ithaca, New York, is a center where students can learn about the religion, art and culture of Tibet. 

Many such places of Tibetan learning, art and culture exist now all across America. 
 
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We must support Tibet, Darfur, Iraq and Burma because they are our neighbors. The impulse to help should be as natural as breathing. We are all interrelated, all part of one vast human body. HH the Dalai Lama has said that all beings have the same needs, the same hopes, have families and want to grow old happily. All beings inhabit the same planet and breathe the same air. We must help, not by contributing to the suffering, but by offering mindful solutions, love and care and by taking action regarding the issues that cause suffering -- like war.  

The Dalai Lama has maintained awesome patience with Chinese leaders while they continue to overrun Tibet. Not once has he resorted to aggression, violence or retaliation. His answer is to love in return and for this he has won recognition and respect from individuals and nations around the world. Because of him, the world is a better place.

That said, I must assert here that I speak for no one but myself. I am not a spokesperson for Tibet or the Dalai Lama or anyone else. I may seize the freedom to speak and to act on behalf of those who cannot help themselves --  because it is my right and imperative as a human being and because I have learned that what I do or fail to do comes back to me. It is that simple. I also know that speaking is action. And so is writing. 

Here is my opportunity to celebrate my love for Tibet, a land I have experienced only in my heart's eye, and to support the Tibetans and their cause. I celebrate the freedom of all!


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