Lance Corporal Tenzin Choeku Denkhim's Funeral Attended by Tibetan Monks. Click Picture for Story.

NEWS DESK STORY: THE FIRST TIBETAN-AMERICAN TO DIE IN IRAQ WAR

RIGZIN DENGKHIM talks about her son's decision to join the marines. 19 year-old Lance Corporal Tenzin Choeku Dengkhim was killed on April 2nd, 2006, in Anbar Province becoming the first Tibetan-American casualty of the Iraq war. He served as part of the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion in the 2nd Marine Division based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Tenzin was buried with full military honors at Arlington Cemetary.

Click Picture for More About His Holiness the Dalai Lama

A FEW THOUGHTS FROM HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA

In July, 2000, THE DALAI LAMA came to Los Angeles for a series of Buddhist teachings. Executive Producer, Rebecca Novick, had the opportunity to speak with him at his hotel. Rebecca asked His Holiness if he'd be more comfortable speaking in Tibetan. At this, His Holiness kicked off his flip-flops, got cross-legged on his chair, and we began. Here is part of that conversation with voice over by Tenzing Chonden.

Tibetan Government-In-Exile

Click Picture for More About Robert Thurman

AN INTERVIEW WITH PROFESSOR ROBERT THURMAN

In 1962, ROBERT THURMAN became the first American to become ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist monk. He gave up his robes several years later for a life in academia that he desdribes as "America's equivalent to monasticism". He has since married and had children, one of whom is the actress Uma Thurman. Robert Thurman has been voted one of the top 25 most influential Americans by Time Magazine. He is currently the Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies in the Department of Religion at Columbia University, President of the Tibet House U.S., a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Tibetan civilization, and President of the American Institute of Buddhist Studies. He is the author of numerous books on Buddhism including 'Inner Revolution: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Real Happiness'.

Tibet House New York

FEATURE DOCUMENTARY: KEEPING TIBETAN CULTURE ALIVE IN L.A.

A community center in Culver City, Los Angeles, becomes the site of a Sunday class for Tibetan-American children, organized by the Tibetan Association of Southern California. Here they learn prayers, Tibetan history, traditional song and dance, and Tibetan language. Hear Tibetan kids from 8 to 12 years of age talk about the challenges of learning Tibetan and what it's like to be a minority among minorities where nobody guesses your nationality right the first time.

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