TIBETAN DIASPORA IN SA

SA is one of 13 countries around the world that have an Office of Tibet. These are the official agencies of the 14th Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration and exist as de facto embassies. Ever since the Dalai Lama fled Tibet he has been hosted by the India government and people. Dharamshala is now home to the spiritual head of the Tibetan people and is where the government in exile is headquartered. Since his exile, an estimated 150,000 Tibetans have followed in the Dalai Lama’s footsteps, settling in Nepal and Bhutan, Canada, America, Europe and Taiwan. SA’s Office in Tibet in Pretoria says the Tibetan community here, including resident monks, total fewer than 10 people. Their activities centre on cultural interchange, building awareness and outreach programmes. Despite the tiny size of the diaspora in SA, there’s sustained interest in Tibet affairs, Tibetan Buddhism, as well as other branches of Buddhism in SA. It is what fuels the growth in organisations such as The Tibet Society of South Africa and Buddhist temples and retreat centres, including Emoyeni in Mooinooi, The Buddhist Retreat Centre in Ixopo and the Bronkhorstspruit Temple.