King of Tibet to Host Short Film and Q&A at The Legacy Project – Posted 2/26/15
The Legacy Project at County College of Morris (CCM) will continue its series on genocide and global conflict this academic year when the King of Tibet, Namgyal Wangchuk Trichen Lhagyari, shares a short film, “My Country Is Tibet,” followed by a question-and-answer session during the program’s fourth event of the year.
The program takes place on Tuesday, March 10, at 12:30 p.m. in the Student Community Center, Davidson Rooms, on CCM’s Randolph campus, located at 214 Center Grove Road.
As the only recognized descendent of the first Dharma King of Tibet (617-698 AD), Namgyal carries the unique responsibility of representing Tibet’s unbroken history and heritage, according to BYkids, the nonprofit producers of “My Country is Tibet.” Yet, as a young man, he also represents a new generation of Tibetans who are caught today between the peaceful traditions of Tibetan Buddhism and a desperate desire to fight for the freedom of their people.
In “My Country Is Tibet,” young Tibetans speak about the slow obliteration of their very identity – their livelihoods, their right to choose where they live, their ability to be educated in their languages – and the stark choice they face of either remaining in Tibetan areas under these constraints or seeking to flee to other countries.
“We are very pleased to welcome Trichen as special speaker for The Legacy Project,” says Professor John Soltes, one of three co-chairs of the Legacy Project. “Trichen’s story is both heartbreaking and inspiring, from his exile from his home country to his devotion to the principles of Tibetan Buddhism, which emphasize kindness and modesty.”
In January, The Legacy Project welcomed Cambodian genocide survivor Sayon Soeun. In November, the college welcomed Holocaust survivor Maud Dahme who shared her family’s struggle to survive in Nazi-occupied Netherlands during World War II. In October, a large audience attended a powerful event featuring guest speaker Eugenie Mukeshimana, a survivor of the Rwanda genocide and founder of the Genocide Survivors Support Network.
The Legacy Project’s first program took place in December of 2013 and focused on the 50th anniversary of the civil rights movement.
For more information, call 973-328-5469.
Photo: Prayer flags symbolize hope in occupied Tibet. The King of Tibet will be the guest speaker for The Legacy Project at County College of Morris on Tuesday, March 10, at 12:30 p.m. in the Student Community Center, Davidson Rooms.