Find out more about Tibet at different types of organizations in New York City!
Introduction
Tibetan diaspora refers to the communities of Tibetan people living outside Tibet. The initial migration/exile of Tibetans happened when the 14th Dalai Lama’s escape to India in fear of the Chinese army’s invasion, and then in the 1980s when China partially opened Tibet for foreigners. Today, the migration still happens but in lower frequencies because the migrations today shifts focus from a political exile to a volunteered form of exile to other countries for a better educational experience. Although most immigrants go to nearby Asian countries such as Bhutan or India, some end up on the opposite side of the world, such as the United States. Most of the Tibetan immigrants in the United States began to migrate in the late 1950s and exponentially boosted in 1990 with the Immigration Act, granting 1,000 Tibetan immigrants from India and Nepal with American visas. In 2008, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) estimated the Tibetan population in U.S. to be around 9,000. There are around 22 reported “cluster groups” located in the Northeast, Great Lakes, and Intermountain West.
The Tibetan community in New York City is diverse, with immigrants directly from Nepal and India as well as people who were born and raised in the states. Following the Tibetan customs and its culture, most Tibetans in their New York community strive to help each other and form and powerful community where people can gain asylum and quickly adapt to their surroundings. This also emphasizes their efforts in tracing back to their ancestry and their culture and how the older generation keeps the younger generation educated about their culture, tradition, and their language in order to keep their heritage and link back to their motherland.
In Jackson Heights, Queens (where most of the Tibetan restaurants are located in the city), “Little India” is where Tibetan Americans settled and found a place that gives them comfort and refuge. Because of the diverse nature of this district, Tibetans are forced to mix and adapt to other cultures and interact with them, but it also respects their strong cultural identity of the Tibetan diaspora.
Organizations
Scroll through the page to explore different organizations and centers about Tibet in the city.
The Tibet Center
The Tibet Center, also known as Kunkhyab Thardo Ling, in New York City, is a center for the study of Tibetan Buddhism, a dharma center.
Check out their meditation / class schedules here.
Tibetan Community of NY & NJ
Tibetan Community of NY & NJ is a non profit organization focused on supporting the survival of Tibetan culture and identity, and to enhance the quality of life for all Tibetans living in the local community and worldwide.
Check out their upcoming events here.
Tibet in NYC 