NEWSLETTERS
Tibet Update – October 2025
INSIDE:
ICT Chairman Richard Gere on Wisdom of Happiness film
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You may have seen ICT's Chairman Richard Gere in the media this month talking about Wisdom of Happiness, a special film in which His Holiness the Dalai Lama shares his advice, observations and wisdom in what feels like a face-to-face conversation. As an Executive Producer of the film, Richard has been talking about its importance and encouraging everyone to go see the film on the big screen while it is showing in theaters across the US.
Check out some of the clips of Richard talking about the film »
Dr. Sophie Richardson and Geshe Lobsang Monlam receive ICT's Snow Lion Award from Richard Gere
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Last weekend, ICT bestowed the 2025 Snow Lion Human Rights Award on long-time human rights defender Dr. Sophie Richardson and Tibetan Buddhist scholar Geshe Lobsang Monlam. More than 150 guests gathered at the Berlin Environmental Forum, where long-time ICT Chairman Richard Gere presented the human rights award to the two winners.
Dalai Lama gives teachings to thousands in Dharamsala
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Earlier this month the Dalai Lama gave teachings to an estimated 5,800 people, including 1,300 from Taiwan. "When I was in Beijing," the Dalai Lama told them, "I met Mao Zedong several times and on one occasion he told me in all seriousness that religion is poison. I said nothing, but I felt sorry for him because he had no idea how beneficial spiritual practice can be."
New Dalai Lama film showing at theatres across the country
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As another way to join in the Year of Compassion celebration honoring His Holiness the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday, take advantage of the opportunity to see the new Dalai Lama movie, Wisdom of Happiness on the big screen! This powerful new film reminds us happiness is possible—even in the middle of chaos and uncertainty. Step inside a rare audience with Nobel Peace Prize winner Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, as he shares practical guidance for living with compassion, peace, and hope. With striking clarity and humanity, he calls on us to activate compassion as the strongest force for change.
Wisdom of Happiness is showing at theatres across the country. We encourage you to take your friends and loved ones to see this special film together in the theater. You can find the screening closest to you here: https://www.wisdomofhappinessfilm.com/#usa Don't see a screening in your area? Please reach out to your local movie theater and ask them to add a screening of the film.
Tibetan voices at conference on PRC religious freedom
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More than 200 activists, scholars, Congressional staff, and movement leaders gathered in Washington, DC on September 30 for "Faith Under Siege," a conference on religious persecution and oppression in the People's Republic of China. ICT President Tencho Gyatso spoke about the need for a strong and coordinated international response to China's plan to interfere in the succession of the Dalai Lama.
Arc'teryx fireworks stunt in Tibet shows need for corporate accountability in fragile ecosystems
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Tibet at the 60th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council
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At the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, held in Geneva from 8 September to 8 October 2025, the situation in Tibet was a focal point of concern among governments and civil society organizations commenting on China's human rights record. Numerous interventions condemned China's ongoing repression in Tibet, with particular focus on forced assimilation, severe restrictions on religious freedom, and arbitrary detentions.
Young Tibet advocates gather in Brussels to advance Tibetan rights with EU policymakers
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Eleven young Tibetans and Tibet supporters from across Europe gathered in Brussels last week for the 2025 edition of the Tibetan Empowerment Days, a training and advocacy program coordinated by ICT, with support from the International Federation for Human Rights.
- ICT Chairman Richard Gere on Wisdom of Happiness film
- Dr. Sophie Richardson and Geshe Lobsang Monlam receive ICT’s Snow Lion Award from Richard Gere
- Dalai Lama gives teachings to thousands in Dharamsala
- New Dalai Lama film showing at theatres across the country
- Tibetan voices at conference on PRC religious freedom
- Arc’teryx fireworks stunt in Tibet shows need for corporate accountability in fragile ecosystems
- Tibet at the 60th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council
- Young Tibet advocates gather in Brussels to advance Tibetan rights with EU policymakers
- ICT’s 2026 calendar is now available for sale!
- Smart Giving: A savvy choice to make a big impact during periods of financial unpredictability
SUPPORT TIBET
ICT's 2026 is now available for sale!
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ICT's 2026 calendar, Great Compassion, is a celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday and the power of compassion—the quiet strength and the power it holds to heal and transform. We are deeply honored to collaborate with our friends at Mutts Comics to share some of our favorite illustrations and quotes from Heart to Heart, a remarkable collaboration between His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and renowned illustrator Patrick McDonnell. With gentle wisdom and moving simplicity, this book invites us to reflect on our connection to one another and to this Earth we all live on. It is a call for a Compassionate Revolution—a reminder, as His Holiness writes, that "we are indeed all members of a single family, sharing one little house."
Also, keep your eyes on savetibetstore.org for new, ICT-exclusive Heart to Heart inspired items coming soon … you won't want to miss these!
Smart Giving: A savvy choice to make a big impact during periods of financial unpredictability
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From climate change to the survival of democracy, Tibet is at the heart of the biggest challenges facing our world. That's why we're thrilled to share financially smart ways to give that will promote human rights and democratic freedoms for the people of Tibet:
- Stock: When you donate appreciated stock, you can save on two types of taxes by avoiding capital gains tax and often getting a full deduction for the value of your gift.
- IRA gifts: If you're 70.5 or older, donations from your IRA reduce your taxable income and can help meet a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) if you must take one.
- Donor-Advised Funds: With a grant recommendation from your Donor-Advised Fund, you can give from the money you've already set aside without spending an additional cent!
- Crypto: A donation of appreciated cryptocurrency can help you avoid capital gains taxes and get a big tax deduction.
We hope you consider the donation option(s) best for you, and together, we can shift the balance toward compassion and kindness.
When you give these types of gifts, please use the tools linked above so we can track your gift, send you the right receipt and ensure you get the tax savings you deserve.