The dreams that gave rise to the Norbulingka Institute began to emerge in 1980s, when the Tibetan refugee community had been in exile for nearly 25 years. With the means of physical survival secured, many monasteries re-established and a satisfactory education system set up, thoughts turned to better preserving Tibetan identity and cultural roots. At the same time, a revelation took place as conditions in Tibet were relaxed and communications between the community in exile and their compatriots in Tibet opened up once more. The Norbulingka emerged from the need to fill the gap between the old and new Tibet, from the urgency to establish a centre to preserve Tibetan culture and its artistic traditions; as somewhere that could preserve the past for the future.