Financial Troubles for Bloomington's Tibetan Cultural Center

June 17, 2005

Source: Chicago Tribune

https://chicagotribune.newspapers.com/search/#query=Since+the+Tibetan+Cultural+Center+was+founded+in+1979%2C+Buddhists+worldwide

On June 17, 2005 the Chicago Tribune reported, "Since the Tibetan Cultural Center was founded in 1979, Buddhists worldwide have flocked to the 90-acre site for dharma teachings and retreats. Four visits by the Dalai Lama drew thousands to the grounds to pray for Tibetan independence and world peace. But in recent years, financial difficulties set in. Last month, officials said the center had amassed $1.7 million in debt and would be auctioned Friday at a sheriff's sale of foreclosed property. Tibetan Buddhist community leaders and center volunteers hired an attorney and organized efforts to save the property. Anonymous donors have agreed to pay $200,000 of the outstanding mortgage debt to stop the foreclosure sale. But the money is contingent on several conditions, the main one being that three members of the Dalai Lama's family resign from the center's board of directors... The story behind the Tibetan Cultural Center's troubles is of a community fighting to preserve its culture and faith, even if it means ousting the flesh and blood of its spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama."