The Sacred
Relic Tour
During 2011 we arranged a number of fund-raising film evenings/festivals, and the highly successful Sacred Relic Tour was a resounding success with some 1500 people attending the 2 ½ days event at the Diakonia Conference Centre. It was indeed a very special occasion where we were also able to highlight the environmental situation in Tibet in particular.
We were obviously very disappointed and disturbed at the way the South African Government handled His Holiness the Dalai Lama's visa application to visit South Africa to attend a number of pre-planned events, which included a free public talk to be arranged by the Tibet Society. Unfortunately, this did not happen despite so many efforts by so many people, local and abroad. However, the amount of publicity, exposure and wonderful local and international support really highlighted, yet again, the situation in Tibet and we hope that future efforts for His Holiness to obtain a visa will not be treated with such disrespect by our Government officials.
For Tibet, climate change is a far more urgent issue than independence - its very survival is at stake
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The Tibet Society of South Africa, established in 1995 (017-310NPO), focuses on creating an awareness of Tibet, with emphasis on Tibetan culture.
In 2010 we celebrated the 75th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama by inviting six Tibetan Buddhist monks from the Rizong Monastery in Ladakh to create sand mandalas in Durban, Cape Town & Johannesburg. As part of our fund-raising initiatives we held regular film evenings and these will continue in 2011. see What's On link.
2009 marked the 50th year since His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been in exile together with +/- 138,000 Tibetan exiles. During this time the Tibetans have made remarkable progress establishing themselves in India with a Tibetan Parliament-in-exile as well as other essential areas so that their unique culture is not lost because of the Chinese invasion of their country during the 1950's.
2008 highlighted Tibet in many ways because of the Chinese Government's callous response to peaceful demonstrations in Tibet and throughout the world regarding the Beijing Olympic Games. This crack-down in Tibet continues unabated.
During 2011 we hosted an extraordinary event. A sacred Buddhist Relic Tour visited Durban from 12 - 14 August 2011 – a resounding success!
The present situation in Tibet is becoming so desperate that Tibetans are demonstrating their desperation by self-immolation… this is a very very sad state of affairs and we hope and pray that the Chinese Government will engage in fruitful discussions with the Tibetan people and especially the Tibetan Government in Exile…. The situation in Tibet MUST be resolved! To be kept informed and updated regarding our initiatives consider joining the Society or send us your email address and we will place you on our enews to receive regular updates..... email tibdbnsa@iafrica.com