By JOSEPH LEICHMAN
Buddhist Tibetan culture does not place great value on material gains.
That is why the Tibet House U.S. benefit concert exists mainly to raise awareness, not to raise funds.
Robert Thurman, founder of Tibet House U.S., uses the proceeds of the annual concert at Carnegie Hall to cover the expenses of the organization, which was formed in 1987 to help preserve Tibetan culture.
This year’s concert features a bevy of big names — renowned composer Philip Glass, Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Ray Davies, Deborah Harry and Lou Reed, Patti Smith, R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe, Ben Harper and Icelandic sensation Sigur Ros make up the bill.
“All the artists have to have some connection to Tibet,” said Thurman, who is also a professor at Columbia University. He once studied alongside the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s spiritual leader, and has known him for 40 years. “Some may have a more political [reason] about wanting to help a downtrodden people, so they may have a human rights agenda on their mind. Some may have a spiritual connection to Tibet.
“The artists are very busy, and they do it for free. No one comes just for the heck of going and singing a song.”
Tibet has long contested China’s claim of sovereignty; its exiled government in India claims occupying forces have tortured and deposed Buddhist monks, and rights groups frequently allege human rights violations. Exile groups say the traditional Tibetan way of life is threatened.
“Tibet politically is in a bad way,” said Thurman. “It doesn’t look good at the moment. But what I always refer to is 1988: The Cold War is going strong, and who would have said that Russia would withdraw and the Soviet Union would be over shortly? But it happened in the twinkling of an eye.
“The Tibetans are happy to be in a big brother relationship with China if the Chinese weren’t colonizing it.”
Proceeds from the benefit will go directly to Tibet House, which will donate a portion to the Tibetan Association of New York and New Jersey, Farm Aid and the Karin Berg Fund for the Myositis Support Group.
The Carnegie Hall showcase always coincides with the first two weeks of the Tibetan new year and begins with traditional chanting from Tibetan monks. In past years, the artists who followed the chanting were just as impressive as this year’s lineup: David Bowie, Paul Simon, Sheryl Crow and Moby have all graced the stage.
With so many musicians set to play, collaborations are the best way to allow each performer more than his or her handful of songs. Each benefit is a mixed bag of solo and joint performances — in 2000, for instance, then-Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio performed one song with ex-Talking Head David Byrne and another with Glass.
“The Tibet House is neither spiritual nor political — it is a cultural preservation organization,” said Thurman, whose organization is on Manhattan’s West 15th Street. “We don’t grind a particular political ax or proselytize — we’re just presenting an endangered culture.”
Tibet House offers an art gallery, library and archive and is developing a Repatriation Collection for particular pieces the museum hopes to one day restore to Tibet. The organization is piecing together a traveling gallery as well as print and media publications that will provide information about Tibetan art and culture.
While there are pockets of militant resistance against the Chinese, Tibetans largely follow the Dalai Lama’s preachings of non-violence.
Said Thurman, “The Tibetans aren’t insisting on a big revolution, but they are really determined to stop the colonization and suppression of their religious culture.”
He sees reason for hope this year. Thurman said that the Tibetan lunar cycle has 12 animals, and this is the year of the “fiery pig.”
“The Dalai Lama [was born in] the year of the pig,” he said. “The pig is very determined, like a wild boar. It’s a powerful year. It’s an auspicious thing.”
WHO: Philip Glass, Patti Smith, Michael Stipe and others.
WHAT: Tibet House U.S. annual benefit.
WHEN: Monday.
WHERE: Carnegie Hall, 881 Seventh Ave.; box office or CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800.
HOW MUCH: $35 to $108.
