A Tibet Center Opened at the Birthplace of Heinrich HarrerMonday, 3 November 2008, 3:15 p.m.
Mrs. Claudia Haider (1st R) lights a butter lamp at the opening ceremony ofInternational Institute for Higher Tibetan Studies at Knappenberg, Austria,on 31 October 2008. Also seen in the picture are Carina Harrer (2nd R)and Geshe Tenzin Dhargye (3rd R) /Photo: Tibet Bureau, Geneva
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Knappenberg, Austria:
An International Institute for Higher Tibetan Studies’ inaugural
ceremony was held on 31 October at the birthplace of late Mr. Heinrich
Harrer, the author of the famous book ‘Seven Years in Tibet’. Over 350
people including Vice-Governor of the region of Kärnten, Members of
Parliament, Mayor and various dignitaries were present at the ceremony.
A message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Patron of the
institute was read by Mr. Tseten Samdup Chhoekyapa, the Representative
of His Holiness based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Representative Tseten Samdup Chhoekyapa, reads out a message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the function. |
His
Holiness the Dalai Lama’s message said, “There is a great deal in
Tibet’s religious culture, its medical knowledge, peaceful outlook and
respectful attitude to the environment that can be of widespread
benefit to others. We have been successful in preserving these
traditions so far, but in the long term we will need the continued
support of the many friends we already have around the world and many
more.”“I am very happy to know that an International Institute
for Higher Tibetan Studies is being established under the auspices of
the Tibet Centre in Hüttenberg, Austria, with whose citizens we
Tibetans have a longstanding friendship,” the message noted.International
Institute for Higher Tibetan Studies is funded by the Kärnten regional
government of Austria. The late Governor Mr. Jörg Haider was the key
supporter and instrumental in securing five years funding for the
project. Funding from a government is first of his kind in the Western
Hemisphere. The late Mr. Haider died in a tragic car accident only
three weeks ago. He visited Dharamsala with a team from Austria.
Geshe Tenzin Dhargye, the Director of the Tibet Centre, addresses the gathering. |
The
Institute will offer authentic Tibetan Studies and knowledge through
seminars, lectures, workshops, short and long-term courses, cultural
events and exhibitions. The main of the institute is to bringing
benefit to people’s mental and physical wellbeing as well as the
development of happiness and peace in the world. One of the other aims
to bring together different cultures and wants to foster the dialogue
between different religions. The establishment of the institute will
also preserve and promote Tibetan religion and culture.The
Institute will provide courses on Tibetan Medical & Astrology and
Buddhist Philosophy with collaboration with Tibetan Medical &
Astrology Institute, Dharamsala and Centre for High Tibetan Studies in
Sarnath, India. Also, it will invite visiting lecturers from India,
Europe and America. In September, a road show was organized about the
Institute planned program across Austria.The courses will start
in mid November. From Sept 2009, the institute will offer diploma
certificates for those students who want to become professionals in
Tibetan Massage and Tibetan Physical Therapy as well as Tibetan
Buddhist Philosophy and Psychology.
Representative Tseten Samdup Chhoekyapa (R) with Mrs Carina Harrer (L), wife of late Hienrich Harrer at the function. |
Geshe
Tenzin Dhargye, who was deputed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to
manage the planning of the project, is now the director of the
institute. He has been working on the project for the last two and half
years. He was earlier involved with the Kalachakra Initiation in Graz,
Austria in 2003.In his address, Geshe Dhargye thanked the
Kärnten Government of Austria, all the political parties, various
religious organizations and the public for their support. He said two
key supporters of the project, the late Mr. Harrer and late Mr. Haider
were not present, but he was very happy that their wife’s Mrs. Carina
Harrer and Mrs. Claudia Haider were present.The long-term aim of the institute is to become a university of Tibetan studies in Austria. For more information about International Institute for Higher Tibetan Studies, visit www.tibetcenter.at–Report filed by office of Tibet, Geneva