Multicolored Tibetan Buddhist tapestries hang on the walls of Pasang Thondup's living room in South Burlington, along with photos of his wife, Nyima Bhuti, and an illustrated map of Tibet. Among these keepsakes are two archetypal symbols of Tibet: a framed photograph of the Dalai Lama — the spiritual leader of Tibetans — and a poster of Potala Palace, the Dalai Lama's former residence in Lhasa, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region in China. Formerly the political leader of the Tibetan exile movement, the Dalai Lama remains the spiritual guide of about six million Tibetans. Across the world, they typically hold celebrations on July 6 to mark the octogenarian's birthday and pray for his long life. "He's our god," said Thondup, 74, of the Dalai Lama. "He's everything to us." Few people have spoken with and worked for their god, but Thondup can claim that honor. An album containing photographs of him with the Dalai Lama reveals the unassuming man's illustrious former career as a settlement officer with the Central Tibetan Administration, whose seat of government is Dharamsala, India. "We're happy to work for the government," Thondup said. "That is the most precious work." Thondup is part of the 140-member-strong Tibetan community in Vermont, most of whom live in South Burlington. In 1998, at age 55, he moved to the Green Mountain State, where he worked in sales and manufacturing for a few years before retiring. In his living room stands an altar holding 14 silver offering bowls full of water, two plates of mangos and a vase of flowers. An electric, multicolored prayer wheel is constantly in motion. Plush woolen Tibetan rugs and silky cushion covers made in India complete the décor. "These are all my memories [from] where I worked and lived," said Thondup, referring to the rugs and cushion covers. After Tibet came under Chinese rule in 1950, the Chinese government worked to eradicate Tibetan culture and language. It suppressed a Tibetan uprising in March 1959. Days later, the Dalai Lama fled Lhasa and sought refuge in Dharamsala. About 80,000 Tibetans eventually followed him to India, most of whom resettled there. "Everyone was not happy with the Chinese control," Thondup said. "Everyone tried to escape from Tibet." In December 1959, Thondup and his family, along with about 60 people from his village of Phari, escaped under cover of darkness over the border into Bhutan. They…
Multicolored Tibetan Buddhist tapestries hang on the walls of Pasang Thondup's living room in South Burlington, along with photos of his wife, Nyima Bhuti, and an illustrated map of Tibet. Among these keepsakes are two archetypal symbols of Tibet: a framed photograph of the Dalai Lama — the spiritual leader of Tibetans — and a poster of Potala Palace, the Dalai Lama's former residence in Lhasa, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region in China. Formerly the political leader of the Tibetan exile movement, the Dalai Lama remains the spiritual guide of about six million Tibetans. Across the world, they typically hold celebrations on July 6 to mark the octogenarian's birthday and pray for his long life. "He's our god," said Thondup, 74, of the Dalai Lama. "He's everything to us." Few people have spoken with and worked for their god, but Thondup can claim that honor. An album containing photographs of him with the Dalai Lama reveals the unassuming man's illustrious former career as a settlement officer with the Central Tibetan Administration, whose seat of government is Dharamsala, India. "We're happy to work for the government," Thondup said. "That is the most precious work." Thondup is part of the 140-member-strong Tibetan community in Vermont, most of whom live in South Burlington. In 1998, at age 55, he moved to the Green Mountain State, where he worked in sales and manufacturing for a few years before retiring. In his living room stands an altar holding 14 silver offering bowls full of water, two plates of mangos and a vase of flowers. An electric, multicolored prayer wheel is constantly in motion. Plush woolen Tibetan rugs and silky cushion covers made in India complete the décor. "These are all my memories [from] where I worked and lived," said Thondup, referring to the rugs and cushion covers. After Tibet came under Chinese rule in 1950, the Chinese government worked to eradicate Tibetan culture and language. It suppressed a Tibetan uprising in March 1959. Days later, the Dalai Lama fled Lhasa and sought refuge in Dharamsala. About 80,000 Tibetans eventually followed him to India, most of whom resettled there. "Everyone was not happy with the Chinese control," Thondup said. "Everyone tried to escape from Tibet." In December 1959, Thondup and his family, along with about 60 people from his village of Phari, escaped under cover of darkness over the border into Bhutan. They…