Established 11 June 1970 Type Public library | Location Dharamsala Phone 098822 55047 | |
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Address Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh 176215 Similar Namgyal Monastery, Tsuglagkhang Complex, Tibetan Institute of Performin, Tibet Museum, Nechung | ||
Library of tibetan works and archives overveiw
The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (LTWA) is a Tibetan library in Dharamshala, India. The library was founded by Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama on 11 June 1970, and is considered one of the most important libraries and institutions of Tibetan works in the world.
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The library contains sources which were relocated from Tibet during the 1959 escape, including important Tibetan Buddhist manuscripts and archives related to Tibet's history, politics, culture and even art. It possesses more than 80,000 manuscripts, books and documents; over 600 thangkas, statues and other artefacts of Buddhist heritage; 6,000 photographs; and many other materials. The present director is Geshe Lhakdor, and Geshe Sonam Rinchen is scholar-in-residence.
The primary objective of the library is to provide a comprehensive cultural resource of the highest standard and to promote an environment to facilitate research and the exchange of knowledge.
The third floor of the library contains a museum (opened in 1974) containing notable artefacts, such as a three-dimensional carved wooden mandala of Avalokiteshvara and items that date back to the twelfth century.