Introduction

In the spring of 2004, His Holiness bestowed the Kalachakra teaching for World Peace in Toronto to over 7,000 pilgrims from all walks of life. It was during this auspicious occasion that His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama gave his blessings to the organization and granted the Tibetan name “Gangjong Choedenling” to the proposed community centre.

In the late and early 1970’s, approximately 500 Tibetans sought refuge in Canada, making them the smallest immigrant group in the country. Approximately 350 Tibetans settled in Ontario and ensured the survival and growth of Tibetan identity and culture in a multi-cultural Canada. Later, in 1998 a small number of Tibetan Refugees fron India and Nepal found Canada as their home. The influx of Tibetans in Ontario has been growing over the years and there are approximately over 4000 Tibetans currently living in Ontario. To this day, the Tibetans here have been dedicated to preserving and promoting the values of the unique Tibetan cultural heritage in Ontario.

The Tibetan Canadian Cultural Centre was acquired and established on October 17, 2007 (the auspicious day when His Holiness the Dalai Lama received the US Congressional Gold Medal – the highest civilian award). It is located at 40 Titan Road in the city of Etobicoke (Intersection Islington Ave and Titan Rd). Currently the Centre offers a variety of programs and services which is open to everyone.

Vision & Mission

VISION

To be the premiere centre in Canada to develop and build community engagement for the promotion of moral values, peace and religious harmony by sharing the value of distinct Tibetan arts, culture and heritage.

MISSION

As a community based organization, the mission of the Centre is to preserve, foster and share the rich and distinct Tibetan culture in Canada. In today`s increasingly diverse and multicultural Canadian society, our mission will be met in a spirit of co-operation and harmony among people of different cultures. We will work on developing and fostering community spirit by promoting anti- oppressive practices through civic engagement, adult education, elder care, social service, athletics, arts, recreation, Tibetan system of medicine, astronomy and astrology, moral education and other community endeavors.

GOALS

• To provide cultural, spiritual, recreational and educational programs to all Canadians and in particular to Canadians of Tibetan heritage including children and seniors;
• To create awareness and understanding of the unique Tibetan culture and tradition within Canada’s multicultural and inclusive society, to promote harmony and friendship in our diverse society;
• To provide on-going opportunities to learn and practice the Tibetan values of altruism, loving-kindness, compassion and non-violence;
• To initiate a wide variety of programs and service designed to meet the needs of our elders in a holistic way, enhancing their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.
• To serve new comers by offering a variety of service including settlement service such as job development service, referral services; youth programs such as language classes, music & dance classes, thangka painting classes; and health and wellness programs such as meditation classes, Tibetan medical counseling camps, and yoga classes.
• To build an awareness campaign on the concept of “universality of human rights” and promote democratization in collaboration with other civil rights groups throughout the world.