Students in the Colfax High School auditorium erupt in applause as six men wearing traditional gold and maroon robes take the stage.  The monks from the Gaden Shartse Monastery are here to share their culture of peace through lively debate, dance and music.

The master teacher GesheLo speaks through his translator. 

The main thing is to share the culture and to make sure that people know we Tibetans are part of this planet.

Their tour also helps the Monks raise money for their monastery in exile.  Joseph Guida is the founder of Sierra Friends of Tibet.  He hopes raising awareness about China’s occupation of Tibet will inspire political action.

They can start changing our elected officials point of view and not see China as a way for United States corporations to make money, but see china as a communist state that doesn’t treat it’s citizens well.

The monks will return to their monastery in southern India in March.