Welcome to His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama Library and Learning Center
Educational and Cultural Institution for the Promotion of Human Values
The Vision
Educational and cultural institution which aims to
preserve the teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and
Tibetan Buddhist culture.
Center of learning to promote human values-
compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment
and self- discipline.
The Mission
Preserve the teachings of His Holiness and to continue his efforts to unite this world’s 7 billion people in peace and harmony.
As a primary education function, the institution brings Buddhist Philosophy and Science together to fosters dialogue and study the science of mind and consciousness.
How the Library and Learning Center
will preserve his message and continue his work
The Library and Learning Center will be a lasting resource where people from all over the world and from all walks of life can study and practice the teachings of His Holiness with the support and guidance of monks from Namgyal Monastery.
The goals of the Library and Learning Center are aligned with the often-stated commitments of His Holiness:
- To serve as the central repository for the collected works of the current and previous Dalai Lamas of Tibet, as well as the Tibetan Buddhist canon (the Tengyur and Kagyur).
- To promote positive human values such as loving-kindness and compassion by researching and teaching how to nurture these qualities in individuals and communities.
- To promote harmony and understanding among followers of various religious traditions as well as people without religious tendencies by hosting discussions on shared human values and ethics.
- To foster the science of the mind and consciousness, as elucidated in classical Indian Buddhist texts, and promote discussions between Buddhist scholars, Western scientists, philosophers, educators, and practitioners from around the world.
- To preserve the Tibetan culture of non-violence and environmental protection, as well as the Tibetan language – uniquely suited to philosophical analysis and debate – by supporting the efforts of Tibetan communities to educate their children and to share their heritage with others.
Message from His Holiness Dalia Lama
The Dalai Lama’s message of the importance of cultivating human values of loving-kindness, compassion and forgiveness is increasingly important during these times of seemingly unrelenting difficulties and suffering. His Holiness firmly believes that developing the warm-heartedness and compassion of every human being is essential for relieving suffering and bringing about peace in our world.
Read Support Letters from HH Dalai Lama
Book Donation Request For HH Dalai Lama Library and Learning Center
We are starting to gather our collection and are wondering if you have any books, videos or audio recordings of His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama’s teachings that you would like to donate to the Library.
For More Information, Click Below:
Letter From President of Namgyal Monastery
HHDL Project Description
The Library and Learning Center
The Library and Learning Center will have an overall size of more than 9000 sq ft. The facilities on the first floor include an exhibition area next to the lobby, twenty-four seats for private study, four computer workstations, a small reading corner along with four other areas with comfortable chairs for reading. The second-floor facilities include a Great Hall seating up to 250 persons for conferences and other presentations, a large reading room, a conference room and a quiet room for meditation.
Learn More
Dalai Lama Library and Learning Center is Under Construction
Plans for the construction of the Library and Learning Center are complete, and a general contractor selected. Construction started in early spring 2022, with the grand opening ceremony planned for July 6, 2023, the 88th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Learn More about the Project.
Namgyal Monastery Institute of
Buddhist Studies
The Library and Learning Center will be built on the grounds of the Namgyal Monastery Institute of Buddhist Studies in Ithaca, NY. At the request of His Holiness in 1992, Namgyal Monastery Institute was established as the North American seat of his personal monastery in Dharamsala, India. Dü Khor Choe Ling is the site for teachings on Tibetan Buddhism by Namgyal monks, for gatherings of the local Tibetan community, and for annual Kalachakra religious ceremonies.
The original Namgyal Monastery was founded in Tibet by the second Dalai Lama in the 16th century. Since then, the monks of Namgyal Monastery have cared for and assisted the Dalai Lamas. In turn, the Namgyal monks receive direct instruction and guidance from His Holiness. Their oversight of the Library and Learning Center will ensure the preservation of his legacy by those who know him best for generations to come.
Birth of the Idea
To serve the needs of all people through education and empowerment, the Namgyal Monastery Institute of Buddhist Studies in Ithaca, NY and Namgyal Monastery in Dharamsala, India agreed on a plan to build a library and a museum, dedicated to the powerful teachings of non-sectarian Buddhism. This step towards realizing the great visions of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, as well as a gesture of repaying a tiny portion of his compassion was enough for the Abbot and the Executive Council of Namgyal Monastery to receive this plan with genuine appreciation, dedication, and happiness. His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave his consent on April 28, 2016 to create The Library, Learning Center and Museum of the 14th Dalai Lama.