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v e n t s | 2 0 0 6 Tibetan
experience comes to Waveny House The New Canaan chapter of the U.S. Tibet Committee (USTC) sponsored a night of Tibetan culture and performing arts last Thursday at Waveny House. A Tibetan monk, doctor, storyteller and performers were on hand to provide a glimpse of their oppressed culture in an effort to gain support for a free Tibet. "Anyone interested in human rights will want to take up the cause of the Tibetan people," Jeff Granett, member of the Tibet Committee's Board of Directors, said. Tibet has been occupied by China since the 1949 Chinese invasion and is struggling to maintain its culture and regain its status as an independent country. According to the Tibetan Committee Web site, more than 1.2 million Tibetans have died and thousands have been tortured and imprisoned under the Chinese occupation because of their political and religious beliefs. The New Canaan chapter of the USTC, founded in 2003, is the only chapter in Connecticut and has a membership of about 20 individuals from all around Fairfield County. "This is a good opportunity to introduce the US Tibet Committee to Connecticut. Connecticut is an important state with two prominent US senators," U.S. Tibet Committee President Sonam Wangdu said. The evening began with a discussion between the audience and Tibetan monk, Lama Pemawangdak. Mr. Pemawagdak answered questions regarding Tibetan chanting and gender issues. Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo, director of the Tibetan Medicine Program at the Shang Shung Institute in Conway, Mass., addressed the audience regarding Tibetan medicine, an ancient practice involving Buddhist principles such as altruism, ethics and karma. The Shang Shung Institute, which began last September and claims to be the only full-time, four-year traditional Tibetan medical program in the United States, trains its students in areas like Tibetan physician ethics, medicine preparation and Kuyne Massage therapy. Dr. Wangmo also runs the Shang Shung Tibetan Healing Center in Northampton, Mass., offering health consultations, herbal remedies and therapeutic treatments like massage. Two Tibetan musical groups performed during the evening. Attired in traditional Tibetan dress, the Ando singers and the Ex-TIPA group performed original songs for the crowd. The Ex-TIPA group was trained at the Tibetan School for Performing Arts in Dharamsala, India. In between musical acts, John Brzostoski treated the audience to a Tibetan folk tale. "The authenticity of the music and the culture were very enjoyable," Sharon Lund said. In addition to the performances and lectures, guests were invited to sample traditional Tibetan food such as momo, and to browse Tibetan arts and crafts stands. Tibetan photographs by Sonam Zoksang were also on display and available for purchase. Sandra Ross, head of the U.S. Tibet Committee New Canaan Chapter and local psychologist, helped to organize the event and said that she was happy with attendance, despite its falling on the night of New Canaan High School's graduation. "We were pretty satisfied. It was a prelude to the next [event] and if we didn't make money a lot of good will was created and that counts for a lot," Ms. Ross said. Ms. Ross became interested in Tibet 15 years ago after attending a lecture. Since then, her involvement with the Tibetan cause has taken her around the globe to places such as South Africa, Prague and Denmark. She has met and befriended many Tibetans, including a group of young nuns who were raped and tortured because of their belief in Buddhism. Ms. Ross, a practicing Bhuddist for 12 years, said that Bhuddism is a spiritual path that "entails respect for all life and respect for all forms of worship - as long as it doesn't create hatred." Buddhism, according to Ms. Ross, also emphasizes the interconnectedness of life. "When one group is subject to genocide, it affects all of us," Ms. Ross said. Upcoming U.S. Tibet Committee events include a booth at the Village Fair and Sidewalk Sale July 15, a meditation workshop and a workshop entitled "Connected and Protected," which will focus on staying safe and "interconnected" in hostile environments. [
photo | sophia conroy ] |
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