“Jefferson Tibetan Society” and Buddhism in Charlottesville

October 4, 2004

Source: The Cavalier Daily

http://www.cavalierdaily.com/CVArticle.asp?ID=20802&pid=1193

On October 4, 2004 The Cavalier Daily reported, "[Jefferson Tibetan Society] was founded in 1982 by Sandy Newhouse and three friends when the four were graduate students at the University. Newhouse, who currently serves as JTS president, said she first became interested in Buddhism when she studied it at Antioch College as an undergraduate. She eventually became Buddhist and consequently learned more about the situation in Tibet... The purpose of JTS, according to Newhouse, is to provide Charlottesville's general public and surrounding areas with access to Buddhist philosophy and practice. One of the ways in which this is accomplished is through the teachings and leadership of Geshe Jampel Thardo, a distinguished Lharampa Geshe, which is the highest level of learning in Buddhism. He is from Lhasa, Tibet, and studied at the Drepung Loseling Monastery."