| About Us |
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^ Statue of King Songtsen Gampo |
Songtsen
Library: Center for Tibetan and Himalayan Studies had
been a long held vision of His Holiness the Drikung
Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche. It functions as a non-political
institution geared to the collection and preservation
of books, as well as research and publication on various
subjects related to Tibet and the Himalayas.
The institution is named after the
33rd Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo (617-650 A.D.). The
building is an architectural inspiration of Yumbhu Lakhar,
popularly known as Tibet’s first castle and built
in the 2nd century B.C. by King Nyatri Tsenpo. |
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The construction of the institution began in July 1999 and
was completed in July 2001. It was inaugurated on March 6,
2003 by His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama.
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| The Library
^Main Library building |
The
Library aims to have a comprehensive collection of important
books as well as rare manuscripts on Tibet and the Himalayas.
Of particular interest is the collection of books on
the Dunhuang Documents, the earliest written sources
on Tibetan society and history. These documents were
discovered in the early part of the 20th century at
various caves around the Silk Route in Central Asia.
Another important collection will be
the publications in various languages of the Buddhist
Kagyur and the commentaries of great scholars. The Bon
Kagyur and Tengyur are also in this collection.
The Library has the latest computer
technology for the reproduction, storage and retrieval
of rare and fragile manuscripts, films and photos. Internet
facilities can be provided. |
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Academic Activities
Songtsen Library will undertake, support and publish urgent,
necessary and innovative research projects. There will be
Resident Scholars Program as well as Lecture Series. The institution
will host multi-disciplinary International Conferences and
seek the participation of reputable scholars. The Library
will also provide courses on Buddhist philosophy, Tibetan
language and literature.
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Fellowship
Songtsen Library will introduce fellowships for qualified
scholars without regard to nationality or institutional affiliation.Members
of the Advisory Board of Songtsen Library
• Patron and Chairman: His Holiness the Drikung
Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche
• Mr. Subash Kumar, Commissioner, Garhwal
Division & Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Uttarakhand., India
• Dr. Tashi Samphel, Director, Songtsen Library, Dehra Dun, India
• Mr. Tashi Densapa, Director, Namgyal
Institute of Tibetology, Gangtok, Sikkim
• Dr. Wangchuk D. Negi, Associate Professor,
Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, Varanasi,
U.P., India
• Mr. Tashi Tsering, Director, Amnye
Machen Institute, Dharamsala, H.P., India
• Dr. Paljor Tsarong, Independent Scholar,
Dharamsala, H. P., India
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Visitors
Information
The Library, a beautiful structure of brick and stone is built
on a plateau, overlooking the Sahastradhara River valley with
lush Himalayan foothills behind. This view can be enjoyed
by scholars working at the Library and by those who wish to
use our retreat facilities. We have a thoroughly modern kitchen
with a qualified chef and good vegetarian meals.
The summers in Dehradun are warm with a maximum temperature
of 45 degrees and minimum of 16.70 degree celcius. There is
moderate climate through the rest of the year with a maximum
temperature of 23.60 degrees celcius and less than 5.40 degree
celcius during the months from December to February.
Visit the contact page for more information. |
  
^ Another view of the library...^
Landscape work..................^
View of main library gate |
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