In the spectacular setting of the Dhauladhar foothills, known as little Lhasa, overlooking lush-emerald valleys, marked by rice fields and dotted with red rhododendron flowers, stand the Library of Tibetan works and Archives. Fashioned in the firm, yet muted style of traditional Tibetan Architecture, it is a building of soaring majesty, beauty and energy.

This building is not only a repository of Tibet's ancient books and manuscripts, but also a veritable centre of Tibetan learning where the exchange of knowledge in the greater service of humanity is the guiding ideal. essentially, the Library is a centre for the preservation and promotion of tibetan Culture. And while, from a limited point of view, this building serves a specialised purpose, from a much broader perspective, the Library's functions include a vast spectrum of cultural activities. The idea of establishing such a centre was conceived, nurtured and brought into reality by His Holiness the fourteenth Dalai Lama.

The culture of Tibet has been found to exert an universal appeal on the minds of men. Although initially the subject of purely scholastic research, Tibetan culture has come increasingly to attract the attention of the common people; for, here, in features of intrinsic value, they have began to discover ideas and models which greatly aid their search for answers to the gnawing questions ploughing their own haphazard, disintegrated and aimless materialistic lives. These answers indicating a fuller and more meaningful life are found expressed in Tibet's ancient books and manuscripts, in her arts and sciences, in the tradition and ethos she represents, in the unwritten transmission of knowledge and wisdom she has preserved, and above all, in the daily habits and thought processes of the Tibetan people.

For the Tibetan, the Buddha Dharma means everything. To the extent this is made manifest, their culture is synonymous with the Buddha Dharma. Remove Buddhism and there is nothing left of Tibetan culture. Cultural life is spiritual life. Thus, if the Tibetans as an ethnic entity are to survive, and if Tibetans are to aid in humanity's search for the means towards a more secure, peaceful and balanced life, then these timeless values which have sustained Tibetans through centuries of worldly strife-must continue. This naturally implies measures for their preservation and promotion.

We Tibetans admit that while living in the fortress of isolation, no contribution could be made by us to the advancement of the material civilisations of mankind. Industrially and technologically, we remained backward. However, are we honestly to blame this situation on those structures of society founded upon principles which attributed more importance to things of the mind than to things of the external world? Life itself can be described as a momentary conflux of energy arising, developing and passing away into space and time. Why regard such transient events and phenomena as essentially capable to producing satisfaction and happiness. The founding fathers of Tibet had realized this great wisdom a long time ago. The natural product of this realism was that the Tibetan people, in the course of time, developed a system of culture which is at once original, unique and dynamic, rich in knowledge and wisdom. It is a culture which has some thing worth while to say to people of all levels of intelligence. The applicability of its underlying meanings for men throughout all time and in all places has received widespread acknowledgement. Tibet has, therefore, much to contribute to the mental civilisation of the world.

Living in a foreign country, Tibetans are continuously in contact with thought-steams emanating from other cultures. Some of these are wholesome, while other obviously are not. And while mutual accommodation cannot be avoided, this does not pre-suppose the sacrifice of the best of one's traditions for the sake of "keeping up with the Jones." The younger generation of Tibetans is particularly susceptible and sensitive to this constant bombardment of superficial trends Bereft of examples and firm, tactical guidance, this generation of Tibetans might easily be swamped by and assimilated into the corroding influences of foreign culture, thereby creating the danger of a complete loss of Tibetan identity and personality. Even mature people have succumbed to this force. But the problem is too broad to be discussed adequately within the limits of the present article; suffice it to say that these injurious trends need to be combated on a national scale. We might say that, at least indirectly, the establishment of this centre constitutes a small step in the attempt to arrest these trends. Facilities in th form of cultural institutions and cultural activities are therefore important and necessary; they serve to remind those who might not always be mindful of the richness of their own culture. Measures should be undertaken to promote the cultural consciousness of the Tibetan people; and the Library, in its own humble way, hopes, to play a part in encouraging and promoting the cultural values of a people determined and hopeful for a better future.

The unofficial functioning of the Library commenced on 1st November, 1971 with the total strength of three staff members, and one night watchman. Several Activities were undertaken by the LTWA in the past years. The main building is where research scholars and general public can come and use the various resources on Tibetan and Western references. The Director's office is on the roof. Administration, Museum, Oral History and Tibetan Publication are on second floor. The Tibet Journal Office, Research and Translation Bureau, Computer Section, Western Publication, Photographic Archives Lab and Tibetan and Western languages Classroom are located in the extension building of Library.

Mr. Romesh C. Khosla, who was responsible for the architectural design of the Library building in consultation with Late Kalon Jigme Taring, former Director of the Council for Tibetan Education with special interest in the field of Tibetan architecture, rendered his services to the Library free of any cost.

The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives is a recognised by Himachal Pradesh University as well as gaining a gradual international recognition as a remarkable and reputable academic centre for the study of Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy and Culture. The number of students, scholars and visitors who come to stay and study or visit the Library from all over the world have increased over the years.

The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the generous support of the Government of India, has achieved steady progress. Its numerous activities has come to be recognised as a centre providing fillups for the preservation and promotion of Tibetan culture and learning which Tibet received from India since the dawn of Tibetan history through the numerous dedicated and devoted Indian Pandits, Maha Pandits and translators who visited the Land of Snow.

Since its founding, the Library has acquired a reputation as an international . To date, more than five thousand scholars and research students from over thirty countries have benefited from this unique educational institutions. It offers regular classes in Buddhist philosophy and Tibetan language.

Finally, we would like to record our deep sense of gratitude and indebtedness to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Government of India and to our generous Supporters and Organisations.

TASHI DELEK

For further information contact:

The secretary

Library of Tibetan Works and Archives
Dharamsala - 176215, H.P.
(INDIA)
Phone: +91-1892-22467
Fax:+91-1892-23723
E-mail: ltwa@ndf.vsnl.net.in

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Last updated: 6-Mar-2000