The Namgyal Monastery in Ithaca celebrated the grand opening of its new library and museum, honoring His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The event, held from September 8 to Sunday evening, marked a significant moment for the Namgyal Monastery Institute of Buddhist Studies, the only Namgyal monastery outside India.
The ceremony included the unveiling of a statue of the Dalai Lama at the library. The library, known as the Dalai Lama Library and Learning Center, had its groundbreaking ceremony on April 29, 2022. It houses the Dalai Lama’s teachings and serves as a space for meditation, peacemaking, and the study of Buddhism and other religions.
This library and museum hold promise as a global destination for the Buddhist community. Ithaca has been home to a Tibetan refugee community since the 1990s, reflecting the broader diaspora resulting from China’s takeover of Tibet and the Dalai Lama’s exile in India in 1959.
The presence of the Namgyal Monastery takes on added significance given the U.S. Department of State’s acknowledgment of human rights abuses against Tibetans in China-occupied Tibet.
In 2007, the Dalai Lama graced the relocation celebration, highlighting the monastery’s role in preserving Tibetan culture. Although he couldn’t attend the recent opening in person, a prominent image of him adorned the prayer hall in the new building.
The library’s collection includes an archive of 40,000 hours of the Dalai Lama’s teachings, 4,000 books with translations of ancient texts, and religious artifacts from Buddhism in India and Tibet. The library embodies the Dalai Lama’s message of nurturing compassion to alleviate suffering and promote peace.
Namgyal-Ithaca functions as a Tibetan monastery, offering a three-year program designed partially by the Dalai Lama, focusing on Buddhist philosophy and meditation suited for Western practitioners.
The Dalai Lama established the North American seat of his monastery in 1992, recognizing Ithaca as a haven for Tibetan refugees. A successful $5 million fundraising campaign led to the construction of a 9,000-square-foot library and learning center, designed by HOLT Architects.
This monumental project testifies to the enduring spirit of Tibetan Buddhism and the profound influence of the Dalai Lama’s teachings. It welcomes individuals of all backgrounds to explore its rich wisdom and spirituality.
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