Central Institute of Buddhist Studies
The Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS) Deemed to be University is located in Choglamsar, 8 kms south-east of Leh town (Ladakh) on the bank of the Indus River. Presently, Prof. Geshe Konchok Wangdu is the Director of the CIBS. It has two campuses: the new and the old. The old campus is located on a piece of land measuring 23 Kanals and used for running the classes for the junior wing from Class VI to VIII. It is under the charge of a Headmaster assisted by Trained Graduate Teachers (TGTs) and other staff members. There are a teaching block, a small auditorium, office, and children‟s library on this campus. A project of the Institute such as Manuscripts Resource Centre, Manuscripts Conservation Centre is also going on the old campus. The new campus is located just half a kilometer away from the old campus built up with separate blocks for Teaching, Administration, Library and Hostels. There are 60 Residential Quarters for staff and a Guest House. There is a sport stadium, an auditorium with seating capacity of 580 people is available to carry out various activities of the Institute. Besides these, a Philosophical Debate Hall, and a Students‟ Recreation Center are available on the campus to carry out other activities. All the Ladakhi scholars, novices and monks before 1959 used to go to Tibet in pursuit of higher monastic Buddhist education, and to do research for years in the famous Mahaviharas of Drepung, Sera, Tashi Lhunpo, Gaden, Sakya, Sangag Chosling, Dege, Drigung and other monastic centres. In the 1950s, this practice came to an abrupt end because of the political situation in Tibet. Hence, it was held imperative that a Buddhist institute should be established for formal Buddhist education in Ladakh. According to archival sources, when the Government of India was organizing the celebration of the 2500th birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha in 1955, Bakula Rinpoche led an official delegation to Tibet, and on his return had a three-hour meeting with the Indian Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. At this meeting, Bakula Rinpoche gave a detailed account of the situation in Tibet, including the fact that Ladakhis could no longer travel there to pursue their religious education. He underlined the need for ensuring similar opportunities in Ladakh.
Accordingly, the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies was established with the holy rituals performed by H.E. Skyabje Ling Rinpoche, the senior tutor of H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama. The institute was initially called the “School of Buddhist Philosophy”. Leh was chosen as the centre for the dissemination of Buddhist culture and philosophy in view of its geographical suitability
and traditional matrix. In 1962, at Kushok Bakula Rinpoche‟s urging, Prime Minister Nehru was fully persuaded of the necessity for such an institution for the Buddhists living in the Himalayas. Thus the institution was given full accreditation with regard to financial support and came under the administrative charge of the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India. In its initial stages, the institute admitted ten monks, one each from ten monasteries in Ladakh. Two teachers were appointed to instruct the students in Tibetan literature and Buddhist philosophy. The first Principal of the institute (1959 – 1967) was a renowned Tibetan Buddhist scholar, Ven. Yeshi Thupstan. For three years these ten monasteries bore the entire expenses of the students and the teachers. From 1959 to 1961 the institute was in Leh. From there it was moved to Spituk village, about 8kms away from Leh, in 1962. The School of Buddhist Philosophy was registered as an educational institution in the year 1964, under the J&K Societies Registration Act of 1941. In 1973 new buildings for the institute were constructed in Choglamsar, 8 kms south-east of Leh. Sanskrit, Hindi, English and Pali languages were introduced, in addition to the teaching of Buddhist philosophy and Tibetan literature. In the same year the institute was affiliated to Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi (U.P.), and courses suitable for students of the frontier region were introduced. In 2016, the Central Government, on the advice of the University Grants Committee (UGC), declared that the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, was „deemed to be university‟ for the purpose of the UGC Act, 1956, but provisionally for a period of five years under the de novo category, from the date the CIBS disaffiliated its courses / programmes from Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi, and the Tibetan Medicine and Astrology Department, Dharamsala. The mission of the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies lies in developing the personality of the students by instilling in them the values of Buddhist philosophy, literature and arts. The institute major focuses on in-depth study of Buddhist philosophy and Buddhist logic along with its history, culture, art and on the study of canonical literature along with ancient classical languages like Sanskrit, Pali and Bhoti. It also works on study of modern subjects like Indian history, Bauddha Puranic history, comparative philosophy, political science, economics, mathematics and general science. CIBS also focuses on translation of Buddhist manuscripts into Indian languages and Collecting, preserving and publishing rare manuscripts. The Institute takes much interest in preservation and promotion of Traditional Himalayan Arts and Culture. Accordingly,
the following departments have been set up for preservation and promotion of the arts and culture of the region: Department of Sowa Rigpa and Astrology: It is centuries old tradition in Ladakh to provide herbal medicines to the patients. When there were no allopathic medicines, the Sowa Rigpa System of Medicines used to be very popular in the region. The people still believe that the Sowa Rigpa System of Medicines is the most useful one and has no side effect. Now the Govt. of India has also recognized Sowa Rigpa as one of the traditional and useful medicine systems. So the people opt for Sowa Rigpa System of Medicines. Keeping the facts in view, the Institute imparts training to students interested in Baudh Medical Science. The +2 (Higher Secondary) passed students having the sound knowledge of Bhoti language are eligible for admission into six years‟ Baudh Medical Science Course. Department of Himalayan Arts and Craft: a) Traditional Scroll/Fresco Painting: This art of painting is very popular in the region. Monasteries of Ladakh are very popular for preserving numerous thankha paintings and frescoes. The frescoes of Alchi Monastery and Lamayuru Monastery are very famous. One can still see the paintings in these monasteries that are one thousand years old. Besides, in each village, there is a monastery having thankhas, frescoes and statues. The tourists from all over the world come to Ladakh in summer season to visit these monasteries. The Institute runs a Buddhist Scroll Painting Course for the students. A number of students receive training in this course to keep alive the centuries old tradition of making the Thangkhas. b) Traditional Sculpture: The making of clay statues and monastic masks are very common in Ladakh region. There are monastic festivals known as Gustor/Dosmoche/Tsetchu/Nagrang in every monastery held on a special occasion. On this occasion, the mask dance popularly known as Cham is performed by wearing masks of different Buddhas and Bhodisattvas, gods, deities etc. The Institute has arranged to train the students for making the art of sculpture of Buddhas, Bhodhisattvas, gods, deities etc., and also teaches the art of making masks. The interested students have to undergo the training for six years after passing Class X. Numbers of students are under training in this art of making statues and masks.
c) Traditional Wood Block Carving: In olden times, when there were no printing machines to print books, here in Ladakh, the people used to get the copy of religious and other texts copied from wooden blocks. The scripts of texts, especially religious texts, are carved on hard wooden
blocks in a systematic way, so that the scripts get printed on a paper for reading. Once a text is carved on the wooden blocks, one can copy the text for thousand times like photo copies. This was very popular in Ladakh in olden times. There is a system to hoist prayer flag in the monastery as well as on the top of every Buddhist household known as Tarchok, and Tarchan on the main gate. These prayer flags are printed texts on clothes of five different colours, which symbolize high spiritual power. The text contained Lungsta and Gyal–Tsan Tsemo. The text is printed on clothes from wooden block made for the purpose. To continue this art, the Institute has introduced a six years course of Wood Carving. Besides the block making, one can learn the art of carving other decorative items like the carving of dragons, birds, lions, horses etc. This art is very popular in Ladakh region and one can earn handsome money for one‟s livelihood through this. The students studying in the Institute and its branches and affiliated Gompa/Nunnery schools students came from most back-ward and remote areas of the region and belong to Schedule Tribe community. Accordingly, under the Tribunal Sub-Plan, the Institute arranged the free distribution of Text/Note Books to all students. During the year under report, Text/Note books worth Rs 22.77 lakhs were purchased and freely distributed among the students of CIBS and its branches and feeder Gonpa/Nunnery schools located in different parts of the region The CIBS has organized so many workshops, National- International Seminars, Students Exchange Programmer in collaboration with ASI, ICPR, ICHR and many other Indian and abroad organizations. The Institute so far published 87 numbers of rare and valuable books on various subjects including the proceedings of the national and international seminars under the title “Ladakh-Prabha”. During the year 2018-19, the institute published Ladakh Prabha-20, the Four Noble Truths and Ladakh Prabha 21, the Mahayana Uttaratantrashastra.The CIBS also has published an annual National Journal of Buddhist Studies in English. And completed many projects like Encyclopedia of Himalayan Culture funded by Ministry of Cultur- India, Manuscript Conservation Centre, Manuscript Resource Centre funded by NMM- New Delhi, The books are sold for minimal rates from the institute. In addition, the students also publish monthly newsletters in Bhoti, English and Hindi languages. An annual tri-lingual students‟ magazine is published under the title of Rig-pa’i Dud-tsi. A Bi-monthly students‟ newsletter “The Green Grove” in English, monthly students‟ newsletter sLob-ma’i dGa-tsal in Bhoti and sGrol-lJang gi sGron-me also in Bhoti by Green Tara Girls‟ hostels are published.
Accordingly, the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies was established with the holy rituals performed by H.E. Skyabje Ling Rinpoche, the senior tutor of H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama. The institute was initially called the “School of Buddhist Philosophy”. Leh was chosen as the centre for the dissemination of Buddhist culture and philosophy in view of its geographical suitability
and traditional matrix. In 1962, at Kushok Bakula Rinpoche‟s urging, Prime Minister Nehru was fully persuaded of the necessity for such an institution for the Buddhists living in the Himalayas. Thus the institution was given full accreditation with regard to financial support and came under the administrative charge of the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India. In its initial stages, the institute admitted ten monks, one each from ten monasteries in Ladakh. Two teachers were appointed to instruct the students in Tibetan literature and Buddhist philosophy. The first Principal of the institute (1959 – 1967) was a renowned Tibetan Buddhist scholar, Ven. Yeshi Thupstan. For three years these ten monasteries bore the entire expenses of the students and the teachers. From 1959 to 1961 the institute was in Leh. From there it was moved to Spituk village, about 8kms away from Leh, in 1962. The School of Buddhist Philosophy was registered as an educational institution in the year 1964, under the J&K Societies Registration Act of 1941. In 1973 new buildings for the institute were constructed in Choglamsar, 8 kms south-east of Leh. Sanskrit, Hindi, English and Pali languages were introduced, in addition to the teaching of Buddhist philosophy and Tibetan literature. In the same year the institute was affiliated to Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi (U.P.), and courses suitable for students of the frontier region were introduced. In 2016, the Central Government, on the advice of the University Grants Committee (UGC), declared that the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, was „deemed to be university‟ for the purpose of the UGC Act, 1956, but provisionally for a period of five years under the de novo category, from the date the CIBS disaffiliated its courses / programmes from Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi, and the Tibetan Medicine and Astrology Department, Dharamsala. The mission of the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies lies in developing the personality of the students by instilling in them the values of Buddhist philosophy, literature and arts. The institute major focuses on in-depth study of Buddhist philosophy and Buddhist logic along with its history, culture, art and on the study of canonical literature along with ancient classical languages like Sanskrit, Pali and Bhoti. It also works on study of modern subjects like Indian history, Bauddha Puranic history, comparative philosophy, political science, economics, mathematics and general science. CIBS also focuses on translation of Buddhist manuscripts into Indian languages and Collecting, preserving and publishing rare manuscripts. The Institute takes much interest in preservation and promotion of Traditional Himalayan Arts and Culture. Accordingly,
the following departments have been set up for preservation and promotion of the arts and culture of the region: Department of Sowa Rigpa and Astrology: It is centuries old tradition in Ladakh to provide herbal medicines to the patients. When there were no allopathic medicines, the Sowa Rigpa System of Medicines used to be very popular in the region. The people still believe that the Sowa Rigpa System of Medicines is the most useful one and has no side effect. Now the Govt. of India has also recognized Sowa Rigpa as one of the traditional and useful medicine systems. So the people opt for Sowa Rigpa System of Medicines. Keeping the facts in view, the Institute imparts training to students interested in Baudh Medical Science. The +2 (Higher Secondary) passed students having the sound knowledge of Bhoti language are eligible for admission into six years‟ Baudh Medical Science Course. Department of Himalayan Arts and Craft: a) Traditional Scroll/Fresco Painting: This art of painting is very popular in the region. Monasteries of Ladakh are very popular for preserving numerous thankha paintings and frescoes. The frescoes of Alchi Monastery and Lamayuru Monastery are very famous. One can still see the paintings in these monasteries that are one thousand years old. Besides, in each village, there is a monastery having thankhas, frescoes and statues. The tourists from all over the world come to Ladakh in summer season to visit these monasteries. The Institute runs a Buddhist Scroll Painting Course for the students. A number of students receive training in this course to keep alive the centuries old tradition of making the Thangkhas. b) Traditional Sculpture: The making of clay statues and monastic masks are very common in Ladakh region. There are monastic festivals known as Gustor/Dosmoche/Tsetchu/Nagrang in every monastery held on a special occasion. On this occasion, the mask dance popularly known as Cham is performed by wearing masks of different Buddhas and Bhodisattvas, gods, deities etc. The Institute has arranged to train the students for making the art of sculpture of Buddhas, Bhodhisattvas, gods, deities etc., and also teaches the art of making masks. The interested students have to undergo the training for six years after passing Class X. Numbers of students are under training in this art of making statues and masks.
c) Traditional Wood Block Carving: In olden times, when there were no printing machines to print books, here in Ladakh, the people used to get the copy of religious and other texts copied from wooden blocks. The scripts of texts, especially religious texts, are carved on hard wooden
blocks in a systematic way, so that the scripts get printed on a paper for reading. Once a text is carved on the wooden blocks, one can copy the text for thousand times like photo copies. This was very popular in Ladakh in olden times. There is a system to hoist prayer flag in the monastery as well as on the top of every Buddhist household known as Tarchok, and Tarchan on the main gate. These prayer flags are printed texts on clothes of five different colours, which symbolize high spiritual power. The text contained Lungsta and Gyal–Tsan Tsemo. The text is printed on clothes from wooden block made for the purpose. To continue this art, the Institute has introduced a six years course of Wood Carving. Besides the block making, one can learn the art of carving other decorative items like the carving of dragons, birds, lions, horses etc. This art is very popular in Ladakh region and one can earn handsome money for one‟s livelihood through this. The students studying in the Institute and its branches and affiliated Gompa/Nunnery schools students came from most back-ward and remote areas of the region and belong to Schedule Tribe community. Accordingly, under the Tribunal Sub-Plan, the Institute arranged the free distribution of Text/Note Books to all students. During the year under report, Text/Note books worth Rs 22.77 lakhs were purchased and freely distributed among the students of CIBS and its branches and feeder Gonpa/Nunnery schools located in different parts of the region The CIBS has organized so many workshops, National- International Seminars, Students Exchange Programmer in collaboration with ASI, ICPR, ICHR and many other Indian and abroad organizations. The Institute so far published 87 numbers of rare and valuable books on various subjects including the proceedings of the national and international seminars under the title “Ladakh-Prabha”. During the year 2018-19, the institute published Ladakh Prabha-20, the Four Noble Truths and Ladakh Prabha 21, the Mahayana Uttaratantrashastra.The CIBS also has published an annual National Journal of Buddhist Studies in English. And completed many projects like Encyclopedia of Himalayan Culture funded by Ministry of Cultur- India, Manuscript Conservation Centre, Manuscript Resource Centre funded by NMM- New Delhi, The books are sold for minimal rates from the institute. In addition, the students also publish monthly newsletters in Bhoti, English and Hindi languages. An annual tri-lingual students‟ magazine is published under the title of Rig-pa’i Dud-tsi. A Bi-monthly students‟ newsletter “The Green Grove” in English, monthly students‟ newsletter sLob-ma’i dGa-tsal in Bhoti and sGrol-lJang gi sGron-me also in Bhoti by Green Tara Girls‟ hostels are published.
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