Faith, language and community institutions

For many Tibetans, Buddhism is woven into daily life and identity, and the Dalai Lama is both a spiritual leader and a symbol of the community. Tibetan Buddhism has several traditions, including Gelug, Nyingma, Sakya and Kagyu. In Columbia Heights, the Gyuto Wheel of Dharma Monastery, founded in the mid-nineteen-nineties in the Gelug tradition, offers classes, prayer gatherings and celebrations. Harvard's Pluralism Project notes that many Tibetans from other traditions practice mainly at home. Practice ranges from daily prayer and home shrines to occasional participation, and some Tibetans are not religious. Treat faith as something to ask about only when it matters for the service, such as scheduling, end-of-life care or food.

Community institutions carry a great deal of cultural work. The Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota, founded in the early nineteen-nineties, runs the Tibetan Community Cultural Center in St. Paul and a second facility in Isanti. Its Tibetan Cultural School, started in the late nineteen-nineties, teaches children Tibetan language, history, religion and cultural heritage, with classes from preschool through eighth grade. Its Lamton program mentors young people toward higher education. The community observes Losar, the Tibetan New Year; Lhabab Duechen, a Buddhist holy day; and Tibetan Uprising Day on the tenth of March, which marks the uprising that led to exile.

Language is central to these efforts. Tibetan has its own script and literature, and families in exile have worked hard to keep it alive. Many Tibetan Minnesotans grew up in India or Nepal and may also speak Hindi, Nepali or English learned in exile schools. Younger people raised here may speak English most comfortably while elders prefer Tibetan. A household can therefore need different communication approaches for different members.

For DHS work, this means asking each person about their preferred language instead of assuming. Tibetan interpreters can be scarce, so plan ahead, and ask whether the person is comfortable with an interpreter from within a small community. When planning events or deadlines, check the community calendar. Scheduling a major meeting on Losar sends an unintended message.

Fictional case: Paul, a DHS communications specialist, is scheduling community listening sessions about a change to a disability services program. He has booked a session in St. Paul during a week that he later learns overlaps with Losar. The community partner, Dolma, mentions it politely but says some families may still come. Paul has already printed flyers. Two other sessions in suburban locations are not affected by the conflict.

Add Losar, Lhabab Duechen and the tenth of March to a shared team calendar of community observances, with a note to confirm exact dates each year with the community partner.

How do you learn about the observances that matter to the communities your work affects? Where are the gaps?