Day 249: Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center, Bloomington, Indiana

📌APIA Every Day (249) - The Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center (TMBCC) was founded in 1979 by Thubten Jigme Norbu, the elder brother of the 14th Dalai Lama. Norbu established the center on 108 acres of land in Bloomington, Indiana, initially naming it the Tibetan Cultural Center (TCC). His primary goal was to preserve Tibetan culture and religious traditions after being forced into exile following the Chinese invasion of Tibet.

In 2002-2003, Norbu completed the Kumbum Chamtse Ling Temple, which was dedicated by the Dalai Lama. A couple years later, the Dalai Lama appointed Arjia Rinpoche as the director of the center, marking a significant transition in its leadership. In 2007, the center underwent a major transformation. The Dalai Lama broadened its mission and officially renamed it the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center, expanding its scope to include Mongolian cultural preservation. This change reflected the heritage of Arjia Rinpoche, who was a Tibetan Lama of Mongolian descent.

The center continues to serve as a cultural and educational institution, offering Buddhist teachings, meditation classes, and housing collections of Tibetan art. It remains a significant site for preserving and sharing Tibetan and Mongolian Buddhist culture in the U.S., with the Dalai Lama having visited multiple times since its founding.

LEARN MORE:

Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center: HISTORY & BIOGRAPHY

MDMH Bloomington: Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center

Bloom Magazine: Buddhist Cultural Center Celebrates 40 Years Here

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