Tibet House US facts for kids

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Tibet House US

Tibet House US
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Established	1987
Location	22 West 15th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues, Manhattan, New York, USA

Tibet House US (often called THUS) is a special organization in New York City. It was started in 1987 to help protect and share Tibetan culture. This group is a non-profit, which means it uses all its money to support its goals, not to make a profit.

The idea for Tibet House US came from the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. He wanted a place where people could learn more about Tibet. Tibet House US is part of a bigger group of Tibet Houses around the world. It teaches people about Tibetan philosophy, how the mind works, and ancient arts.

Protecting Tibetan Culture

How Tibet House US Started

In 1959, the 14th Dalai Lama had to leave Tibet. He told his people that their main job was to save their religion and culture. Years later, in 1987, some Westerners who cared about Tibet decided to help.

They included Columbia University professor Robert Thurman, who became the president of THUS. Also involved were actor Richard Gere and composer Philip Glass. They wanted to protect Tibet's culture and show the world how important it is. They started Tibet House US in New York City.

Important Events and Teachings

Tibet House US often works with other schools and cultural places. They have hosted special teachings in New York City by the Dalai Lama himself.

In 2011, they helped with The Newark Peace Education Summit. This event focused on how communities can create peace. Many important people attended, including the Dalai Lama and other Nobel Laureates.

Since 2020, THUS has held the Global Vision Summit online. Many teachers and scholars who studied with the Dalai Lama have spoken at these events. They talk about his life and teachings. In 2021, the summit focused on "The Power of Compassion."

Awards and Special Shows

Tibet House US gives out The Art of Freedom Award. This award honors people who have made great contributions that match the mission of THUS. Past winners include director Martin Scorsese and artist Roy Lichtenstein.

In 2021, THUS held an exhibition called "Transforming Minds." It showed photos by Allen Ginsberg of important Tibetan teachers. These photos had never been seen before.

Fundraising for Tibet House US

Tibet House US holds events to raise money for its work. One big event is the Annual Benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall. This concert has been happening since 1989. It celebrates Losar, which is the Tibetan New Year.

Many famous musicians have performed at this concert over the years. Some of them include Patti Smith, David Bowie, Lou Reed, Björk, Paul Simon, Annie Lennox, and Eddie Vedder. In 2023, the band boygenius performed new songs there.

In 2021, the Dalai Lama sent a video message for the 34th concert. He thanked everyone who helped start Tibet House US.

In 2022, actor Keanu Reeves appeared at the 35th benefit concert. He recited a poem. After this, some people in China suggested boycotting his films. His movies were reportedly removed from some streaming sites in China.

Collections and Archives

Tibet House US collects and shows many kinds of Tibetan art. This includes sacred art, fine art, and folk art. The goal is to eventually return these items to a National Museum in Tibet.

Many Tibetan artworks and Buddhist writings were destroyed. This happened during the Cultural Revolution in China, which began after 1949. Some were also lost during earlier events like the British expedition to Tibet.

Important Archives

The Repatriation Collection and the Old Tibet Photographic Archive were started in 1992.

The Old Tibet Photographic Archive began with over 3,000 photos from a missionary named Marion Grant Griebenow. These photos were taken in Tibet between 1928 and 1949. The archive also has pictures from other famous photographers. These photos show what Tibet was like before many changes happened.

The Repatriation Collection has more than 1500 items. These include thangkas (Tibetan paintings), bronze statues, and other traditional objects. These collections help document the destruction of many monasteries and historic buildings in Tibet. Monasteries were not just places of study; they were also centers for art, music, and literature.

Books Published by Tibet House US

Tibet House US has published several books about Tibetan art and culture:

• Worlds of Transformation: Tibetan Art of Wisdom and Compassion, by Marylin Rhie and Robert Thurman, 1991, ISBN: 9780810963870
• Mandala: The Architecture of Enlightenment, by Denise P. Leidy and Robert Thurman, 1997, ISBN: 978-0500280188
• Wisdom and Compassion: The Sacred Art of Tibet, by Marylin Rhie and Robert Thurman, 1991, ISBN: 0810939851
• The Tibetan Wheel of Existence, by Jacqueline Dunnington, 2000, ISBN: 978-0967011530
• Visions of Tibet: Outer, Inner, Secret, photographs by Brian Kistler, introduction by Robert Thurman, 2005, ISBN: 978-1585677412
• Vanishing Tibet, by Catherine Steinmann and Danny Conant, 2008, ISBN: 978-1590200957
• A Shrine For Tibet: The Alice S. Kandell Collection, by Marylin Rhie & Robert Thurman, 2010, ISBN: 978-1590203101
• Man of Peace: The Illustrated Life Story of the Dalai Lama of Tibet, a graphic novel by William Meyers, Robert Thurman, Michael G. Burbank, 2014, ISBN: 978-1941312032

Films About Tibet House US

• His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet recorded a video message for the 34th annual benefit concert of Tibet House US, Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
• First 30 Years of Tibet House
• God and Buddha: A Dialogue with Deepak Chopra and Robert Thurman, Mystic Fire Video, ASIN: B0000C23DQ
• Robert A. F. Thurman on Buddhism, Wellspring, ASIN: B00005Y721

See also