Study/Study resources
Available material |
Today the Namgyalgar library is available for readers onsite. One section called the 'Borrowing Library' allows Dzogchen Community members to take home any books they like at no charge.
The other part called the 'Reference Collection' contains all the books published by Shang Shung Institute (see below) which are preserved at Namgyalgar as the largest archive of its type in Oceania. It is available for readers only onsite. This collection is a precious resource for all those interested to study the Santi Maha Sangha program as well as all those interested in the teachings of Dzogchen. For about 20 years, Namgyalgar has collected thousands of books related to the Dzogchen teachings and Buddhist teachings in general. We made a specific effort to develop a collection of all the books related with the Dzogchen Community in general (more than 200 books published by Shang Shung Institute since the 1980’s). 
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"The Shang Shung Institute exists for the preservation of Tibetan culture and to translate Tibetan books into Western languages. Through the Shang Shung Institute we are trying to do something to maintain the survival of Tibetan culture and understanding. Shang Shung, the name of the Institute, reflects the source of Tibetan culture and history - it was known as a great empire throughout the Orient and the study of Shang Shung is extremely important if we are to understand the great antiquity, the unique nature and the universal importance of Tibetan culture, past and present." Chögyal Namkhai Norbu |
Shang Shung Institute
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In 1989, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu founded an international institute of Tibetan studies: the Shang-Shung Institute, named after an ancient kingdom of West Tibet which was the cradle of the autochthonous Tibetan civilisation. The Institute is based in Arcidosso, Italy and promotes the safeguarding of the cultural heritage of Tibet through courses on Tibetan language and literature, traditional medicine, astrology and the organisation of conferences and exhibitions. The Institute has a valuable collection of Tibetan texts and an important video and tape collection on the civilisation of Tibet and the Himalayas. There is an ongoing program to maintain an inventory and archives of the audio and video material of the teachings of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu.
Shang Shung: The Source of Tibetan Culture Shang Shung, the name of the Institute, reflects the pre-Buddhist foundations of Tibetan culture and history. The ancient kingdom of Shang Shung once occupied a large area including Western and Northern Tibet with Mount Kailash at its centre. The study of Shang Shung is important if we are to understand the unique nature and the universal importance of Tibetan culture, past and present.
Many of its traditions have been transmitted across the centuries by both oral and literary means. Knowledge of Tibetan culture, influenced by the Indo-Buddhist tradition which was introduced into Tibet between the 7th and 11th centuries, is traditionally classified into five major fields or sciences: arts and crafts, medicine, linguistics and poetry, logic and "inner knowledge" which refers to the esoteric or Yogic body of knowledge and instructions. These five fields of knowledge form the basis for the proposed academic program for the London School of Tibetan Studies. "I therefore hope and pray that all Tibetans and those who are interested in the future of Tibet and its culture, will help in whatever way they can to ensure the continuing survival of the authentic Tibetan tradition." Chögyal Namkhai Norbu
Shang Shung Institute
International Institute for Tibetan Studies Loc. Podere Nuovissimo 58031 Arcidosso (Gr) Tel: 0039 (0)564-966941 Fax: 0039 (0)564-968110 |
