Wentworth Falls

Australia is a multi cultural nation with a beautiful environment and clean air. Especially in the Blue Mountains— the sacred and blessed land of the Aboriginals.

In Australia, there are a few thousand Tibetans and of these, many have fled and come to Australia due to free speech oppression, religious control and destruction of their homeland by the Chinese government. Upon arrival in Australia, a new beginning blossoms, like the Waratah flower, for the Tibetans.

Tibet is located on the summit of the Himalayans with an extraordinary heritage and culture with an origin interconnected to the Buddhas and Boddhisatvas. Ninety nine percent of Tibetans are Buddhists. From the Tang Dynasty onwards, Tibet was a strong nation reigned under King Songtsen Gampo and Tibetans were very proud of their Kings.

Not only that, most of the major rivers in Asia originate in Tibet. The environment is extremely pure and pristine. Tibetans are widely acknowledged as a very compassionate and kind people.

When the Dalai Lama became the king of Tibet he was recognised as the reincarnation of Chenrezig or Avalokiteshwara, who is the embodiment of great compassion and in 1951 the Chinese Communist Party invaded Tibet. In 1959 the Dalai Lama fled Tibet for India with his government, scholars and many Tibetans due to oppression and destruction of the Tibetan culture, language and religion. This enabled Tibetans to protect their language, religion and culture in Dharamsala, India. For the past 60 years Tibetans have been leaving their homeland and are now scattered around the world.

Since 1980 Tibetans in India and Tibet have started to reconnect as refugees by risking their lives walking across the Himalayan mountains. Some of them died on the route over the Himalayans while the fortunate ones made it across the mountains with only one purpose, to enjoy human rights, religious freedom and meet Dalai Lama again.

Once out of Tibet they are not allowed to re-enter, without communication with their remaining family members. Although enduring tremendous difficulties and

As the Drichu River is the source of many major rivers in Asia, it is also the source of emotional connection for Tibetans, to their Motherland. hardships, they remain positive and try their best to preserve their tradition, language and religion no matter where they are scattered in the world. Tibetans still have faith for freedom in Tibet and recognise The Tibetan Government in exile of Dharamsala as their government.

Tibetans are very willing to share their history and experiences with people whenever they have a chance and often times, people are also very curious and willing to learn about the life of Tibetans.