Our Mission
Tibet House US is dedicated to preserving Tibet’s unique culture at a time when it is confronted with extinction on its own soil. By presenting Tibetan civilization, its profound wisdom, beauty, and special art of freedom to the people of the world, we hope to inspire others to join the effort to protect and save it. Tibet House US is part of a worldwide network of Tibetan institutions committed to ensuring that the light of the Tibetan spirit never disappears from the face of this earth.
"Since we have our own unique cultural heritage, including our language [and] our script, these matters four material and social development) should be in the hands of Tibetans.... With this present arrangement, whether intentionally or unintentionally, some kind of cultural genocide is taking place."
Gallery Statement
Tibet House US aims to promote and preserve Tibetan culture by serving as both a cultural center in New York City and a global resource for those interested in Tibetan civilization. The hidden heart of Asia, Tibet has served, during the last thousand years of the many imperial wars, as the safe treasury of Asia’s most sophisticated spiritual arts and sciences. Now, its precious Buddhist civilization of wisdom, compassion, peace and harmony is under a real threat of imminent extinction.
Our New York City center comprises 7,000 square feet including gallery space, Tibetan Buddhist shrine, photographic archives, a lending library of over 1,000 volumes, and staff offices. In keeping with our mission as a cultural embassy, Tibet House US develops and presents innovative educational and cultural programs for the general public. The Cultural Center’s activities include exhibits, print publications and media productions. It serves as a central meeting place for the local Tibetan community to hold programs and events. We reach out to the world through our website, www.thus.org, traveling exhibitions and unique trips to Buddhist sites in Asia. Our onsite and online gift shop and bookstore offer books and other items related to Tibetan culture and Buddhist practice.
Tibet House US also operates the extraordinary Menla Mountain Retreat and Conference Center in the heart of the Catskill mountains, in Phoenicia, New York. “Menla” means “Medicine Buddha,” and the Center is being developed into a major transmitter of Tibetan Buddhist healing arts and sciences, Tibetan Medicine being one of the most precious offerings of the Tibetan culture to a world filled with suffering beings.
Tibet House US works with the Tibetan refugee institutions in India -Norbulingka Institute, the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, Tibetan Medicine Institute, and the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives—and with Tibet Houses in New Delhi, Mexico, London, Moscow, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, and Tokyo to preserve and promote Tibetan culture worldwide.
Showcase at the Tibet House US
To have your artwork showcased in the Tibet House US gallery, please contact Ganden Thurman, Executive Director, at (212) 807-0563 for more information.
