Secretary Dhondul Dorjee Addresses at the Launch of Summer Immersion Program of Department of Religion and Culture

Secretary Dhondul Dorjee Addresses at the Launch of Summer Immersion Program of the Department of Religion and Culture.

Dharamshala: The Department of Religion and Culture of the Central Tibetan Administration organise a two-week summer Tibetan Culture Awareness Program at Sara College for Higher Tibetan Studies (CHTS) from 1 to 14 June 2025. This program is specifically aimed at Tibetan students studying in various schools across India to enhance their understanding of Tibetan culture and strengthen their language learning with the Tibetan community.

The chief guests at the opening ceremony included Secretary Dhondul Dorjee of the Department of Religion and Culture, Ven Jigme, Vice-Principal of Sarah Tibetan Higher Studies Institute, and Dhundup Tsering, the head of DoRC’s culture section. The program began with a light offering ceremony led by Secretary Dhondul Dorjee, followed by Vice-Principal Ven Jigme Lodoe, who addressed the students on matters related to education and training.

Subsequently, the chief guest, Secretary Dhondul Dorjee, spoke about the purpose of the program and remarked that within Tibet, there is no opportunity to study one’s own culture and language. He noted that the Chinese authorities have established boarding schools with the deliberate aim of undermining Tibetan language and culture through various activities. While Tibetan students inside Tibet lack opportunities to learn their ethnic language and culture, he emphasised the critical importance for students in a free country to study Tibetan religion, culture, and language.

Throughout the two-week summer immersion program, twenty students enrolled to participate from various places, including Dehradun, Mussoorie, Siliguri, Nepal, and Dharamshala.

This program curriculum includes Tibetan history, language, SEE Learning and Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT), and teachings based on His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Four Commitments. In addition, participants will take part in educational visits to key Tibetan cultural institutions, monasteries, and offices of the Central Tibetan Administration to deepen their understanding and appreciation of Tibetan religion and culture.