Celebration of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama's
70th Birthday

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, as a child.

On Friday evening, July 15th, 2005 we celebrated His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama's birthday. It was an evening of fun, celebration and tradition which included a feast of mouth watering Tibetan Cuisine followed by a cultural performance by members of the Tibetan Community. It was a night to collectively celebrate and pay our gratitude to His Holiness.

The Venerable Jhado Rinpoche

On Sunday, April 17, 2005 the Venerable Jhado Rinpoche gave HAYAGRIVA, long life empowerment, to the Tibetan community members. Tibetan tea was served. Parents were especially requested to bring their children for the empowerment. Such a spiritual moment with the presence of Rinpoche will open the eyes of our younger generation to our spiritual and cultural traditons. This empowerment will benefit our members' spiritual developement and at the same time, world peace. Rinpoche was requested to give advice to the members at the end of the empowerment about the Tibetan situation in exile and inside Tibet.

To learn more about Rinpoche's life read his Biography.

On January 8, 2005 at an all Community General Body Meeting, the nominations for new officials was conducted per requirements of the Tibetan Alliance of Chicago by-laws. The nominations were conducted for the new President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. The candidates with 3 most votes for each of the positions were nominated for the final election scheduled on February 9, 2005, which happened to be the first day of the Tibetan New Year (Losar). All the nominated candidates were very talented and energetic.

On February 9, 2005 the final election of new officials was conducted after the morning Losar ceremony. The election was very successful with a record number of voters. The votes were counted, recounted and certified. The result was declared on the same day with traditional good will scarf offering to the newly elected officers. The remaining 16 directors were selected by a lottery system on March 10, 2005.

Officers
Kelsang Draggo—President
Tseten Wangyal Lungkara—Vice President
Tenzin P. Atsatsang—Treasurer
Tenzin Wangyal—Secretary

Board of Directors
Chomphel Baro—Director
Dolma Tsering—Director
Tenzin Lhagyal Langchung—Director
Namgyal Norkhang—Director
Nawang Lobsang—Director
Nyima Bhuti—Director
Phuntsok Chomphel Rika—Director
Sonam Tsering—Director
Tashi Tsechen—Director
Tenzin Jamyang—Director
Tsewang Choedon—Director
Tsering Dolkar—Director
Tsering Paldon—Director
Tsering Youdon—Director
Yeshi Tenzin—Director
Pema Youla—Director

The Tibetan Community of Chicago congratulates and wishes them all a very successful year.

The transition of roles and responsibility between the old and new board took place on March 26, 2005. Everything went smoothly and the hand over ceremony was successful.

See photos of this event

The Tibetan Alliance of Chicago, International Tibetan Independence Movement and Students for Free Tibet observed and organized the 46th commemoration of March 10, 1959, Tibetan National Uprising Day.

Members and supporters of the above organizations gathered at Water Tower Place in Chicago for the function. Participants walked from here in a single file on Michigan Avenue distributing leaflets informing people about the day and shouting slogans like "UNO we want justice" and "Release the Panchen Lama." They turned on Erie Street towards the Chinese Consulate, their ultimate destination for the day.

Here the president of the Tibetan Alliance of Chicago, Tsering Chonjor, after reading HH the Dalai Lama's statement for the day managed to be the master of the function.

Ngawang Lobsang and Larry Garstein of SFT and ITIM respectively promised to work for Free Tibet, and they demanded the release of the Young Panchen Lama. They also promised to work for the release of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, a peace loving Buddhist Monk from life imprisonment. Lobsang Gawa from the Tibetan Community read a statement in Chinese.

After these speeches and slogans the participants sang the Tibetan Uprising Song followed by Den-Tsek Mon-lam, prayer of words of truth by HH the Dalai Lama.

With the singing of the Tibetan National Anthem and thanks to the participants, the program concluded with an invitation to the Tibetan Alliance Community Center for refreshments.

Visit our photo gallery, and for more pictures, go to Buddhist View's web site.

• A rare photo exhibition of Tibet taken before the Chinese occupation.

• Tibetan Market with a variety of wonderful gifts.

LOSAR CELEBRATION
February 9th, 2005

The Tibetan community celebrated Losar at the community center.

The all-day program started with prayers and offering khatas to the altar of H. H. The Dalai Lama, followed by a Tibetan cultural program. All day long there was singing and dancing. Jokes were be told, dialogues took place and games were played. Lunch and dinner were catered to the community.