Welcome to the home page for
CONFERENCE ON TIBETAN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
MARCH 29 THROUGH APRIL 2, 2003
The International Tibetan Language and Literature Conference has invited more than 30 of the world’s top scholars on Tibetan studies to present their thoughts and research. We also invite those who are interested to register for the conference and participate in the open discussion at the end of each session. The results of these meetings and the various presentations will be published in book form. Conferences of up to 300 people can be accommodated in comfortable meeting rooms.
The Conference will have two sessions each day. Papers will be presented in English or Tibetan and will be translated. Each session will conclude with one hour of general discussion open to all participants and observers. These lively discussions will lead to increased interest in research and scholarship in many aspects of Tibetan Language and Literature.
The conference fee is set at US$150 (Rs2000/-) and includes lunch and refreshments. Charges for accommodations on the Songtsen Library grounds are US$12 per day (Rs350/-) for a private suite, US$ 8 per day (Rs 250/-) for a private single room or a shared suite; all fees include three meals. Costs in Indian currency are for participants from India, Nepal and Bhutan.
To those interested in attending this conference, we request that you inform us prior to the event. Accommodations at the Library are limited, and presenters have first choice. If you want a list of hotels close-by in Dehra Dun, we will provide this along with the discounted rates for conference attendees. Also travel from the New Delhi airport to the Library on air-conditioned buses will be arranged.
Address all correspondence (written, Email or Fax) to
Tsewang Dorje, Public Relations Officer
Songtsen Library P.O. Kulhan, Sahastradhara Rd. Dehra Dun 248001 (U.A.) India
Telephone: 91-135-607-810, 607811, 607813
FAX: 91-135-607268
Email: info@songtsen-library.org
CENTER OF TIBETAN AND HIMALAYAN STUDIES
Songtsen Library is a long held aspiration of Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, the head of the Drikung Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism. The Library is a branch of the Drikung Kagyu Institute (D.K.I).
The D.K. I. was founded by His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang. It was established on 20 October 1985, and it is registered under the Charitable Society Registration Act. XXI of 1860. The Society operates in Dehra Dun, the State of Uttaranchal, India.
The aim of the Institute is to preserve and promote Buddhist Philosophy and Culture.
The Library building is named after the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo (617-650AD), and is designed as an architectural replica of the Yumbo Lakhang Palace, the first castle in Tibetan history, built by the first Tibetan King, Nyatri Tsenpo, during the third century.
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, by visitors taking advantage of the excellent guest rooms, and by those who use our retreat facilities.
Dehra Dun is a modern town and the capital of Uttaranchal. Excellent accommodations and transportation link it by air, train and vehicle to New Delhi, 300 kilometers away; all are available at reasonable cost.
The Library will house a collection of rare and important books on Tibetan and Himalayan society, history, language, literature, religion, medical science and traditional arts and sculpture.
Of particular interest will be a comprehensive collection of the available Dunhuang manuscripts. These manuscripts, dating from about the 6th to 12th century, were discovered in the Dunhuang caves which lie along the famed Silk Road. They are one of the most important and earliest original sources on Tibetan and Himalayan studies.
The Library will hold different publications and translations of the Buddhist and Bonpo Kangyur and Tengyur (Tripitaka).
The dream that began construction of the Songtsen Library includes conferences of world-renowned experts on Tibetan and Himalayan studies. The 2003 International conference on Tibetan Language and Literature (see previous page) is the first fulfillment of this aim. The results of these meetings and the various presentations will be published in book form. Conferences of up to 300 people can be accommodated in comfortable meeting rooms.
The Library will have the latest computer technology for the reproduction, storage and retrieval of rare and fragile manuscripts. Internet facilities will be provided so that researchers worldwide can have access to the Library’s holdings.