Almost every city or town in the world with a Tibetan population has a community center where Tibetans meet to celebrate Tibetan New Year and the Dalai Lama’s birthday and attend teachings from monks and other international visitors. On Sundays, these centers provide classes for children in Tibetan language, culture, religion, dance and music. They also serve as a place for elders to practice Buddhism as a community and a critical resource to preserving Tibetan culture. With Buddhism as a common bond, Tibetans will ensure the continuation and survival of their culture.

As Tibetan families move to the West and youth become immersed in popular culture through the media and education systems where they now live, differences between Tibetan and local culture become evident. Many of those born outside Tibet or the Indian settlements cannot speak fluent Tibetan. Yet, all young Tibetans identify with their culture and cherish the Tibetan saying, “help others” and “if you cannot help them, at least do not harm others.”