There are many in the new generation of the Tibetan and Himalayan diaspora in North America whose exposure to their own cultural tradition has been somewhat limited in the all-encompassing embrace of the Western way of life. The Himalayan Heritage Scholarship provides members of these communities a unique opportunity to reconnect with their own rich heritage, the cultural and spiritual traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.

Supported by the Office of Tibet (the Tibetan government-in-exile), the Tibet Fund, the Conservancy for Tibetan Art & Culture, Richard Gere, and the Garrison Institute, these scholarships are available for people of Himalayan background to attend one of several retreats in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition that occur at the Garrison Institute each year.

Featuring teachers such as Gelek Rimpoche, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, Lama Surya Das, and Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche in 2012, the Garrison Institute is privileged to be a major center for teachers from the Tibetan and Himalayan Buddhist traditions on the US East Coast. This is a relationship the Institute has proudly cultivated since its founding in 2003, and in the past decade the Institute has hosted three retreats led by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

In an era in which Tibetan Buddhism has succeeded in bequeathing an indelible legacy for Western meditative practices, the benefit of strengthening the attenuated relationship between Himalayan-Americans and their own very influential yet threatened mother culture is immeasurable.

“Though a Buddhist by birth, I never had any teaching like this. The teaching and entire experience at Garrison Institute this weekend was very enlightening as well as transforming…. This retreat was very much connected to our real life experiences. It will remain with me."

“It is the first time that I’m taking steps on the path that are so important to help me in my own personal life, with my connection to my own cultural heritage and Buddhism, and also help to me as a Tibetan working for the cause and the struggle of the Tibetan people inside Tibet.”