Department of Religion & Culture

The Department of Religion and Culture is a ministry office established under the executive organ of the Central Tibetan Administration whose function is to overlook religious and cultural affairs in the Tibetan exile community. It has the responsibility of supervising works aimed at reviving, preserving, and promoting Tibetan religious and cultural heritage that is being led to the verge of extinction in Tibet.

It began its operation in the exile community as Council for Religious Affairs office on April 27, 1959, headed by a Director and constituted by the representative of the four Buddhist schools as its principal members in Mussoorie. On 30th May 1960, the Council for Religious Affairs shifted its office to Dharamsala and on September 12, 1960, it became one of the seven main departments when His Holiness the Dalai Lama formally established the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).

Under the affiliation of this department, there are 253 monasteries and 36 nunneries in India, Nepal and Bhutan and also five cultural institutions across India.

Introduction Aims and Objectives Affiliated and Non-monastic Instituations Whos Who Organisational Structure Contact

The Department of Religion and Culture is a ministry office established under the executive organ of the Central Tibetan Administration whose function is to overlook religious and cultural affairs in the Tibetan exile community. It has the responsibility of supervising works aimed at reviving, preserving, and promoting of Tibetan religious and cultural heritage that is being led to the verge of extinction in Tibet.

Under the affiliation of this department, there are 253 monasteries and 36 nunneries in India, Nepal and Bhutan and also five cultural institutions across India.

The primary aim is to preserve and promote Tibetan religion and culture, which has suffered and continues to suffer at the hands of the Chinese regime in Tibet. Other objectives are:

1. To plan and implement religious and cultural policies according to the advice of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration.

2. To promote unity and harmony amongst Tibetan religious schools.

3. To give help to the Tibetan monasteries, nunneries, temples, and cultural institutions for preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of Tibet.

4. To organise and participate in conferences and seminars on religion, culture, and Tibetan studies.

5. To liaise with important religious associations of other faiths and with Tibetan and non-Tibetan Buddha Dharma Centers.

6. To conduct and sponsor research in the areas of Tibetan and Buddhist studies.

7. To oversee and assist in supporting the traditional monastic curricula in the reestablished Tibetan monasteries, nunneries, and cultural institutions.

8. To hold public discourses and teachings for the promotion and preservation of unique and rare oral religious transmissions.

9. To look after the old, sick, and destitute monks and nuns and those who are in retreat.

10. To organise and perform regular and special religious events and activities.

1. Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts:

This specializes in the area of Tibetan traditional dances, opera, and other performing arts. It is a school for learning performing arts, which was established in 1959. They carry out a range of activities aimed at preserving and promoting traditional performing arts. Further information about the institution and its activities can be found at www.tibetanarts.org

2. Tibet House Society:

This was established in October 1965 in New Delhi. Since then, it has been involved in preserving Tibetan religious and cultural artefacts and Tibetan religion and culture. The society runs Tibetan language and Buddhist philosophy classes and organizes special events aimed at creating awareness of Tibetan religion and culture. Check www.tibethousenewdelhi.org for details on their activities.

3. Central University of Tibetan Studies (CUTS):

This Central University was established on 20 August 1967, with funding from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. It was a deemed university and catered for a wide range of services in the field of Tibetan studies.

Originally called Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (CIHTS), it began functioning as a constituent wing of the Sampurna Nanda Sanskrit University and eventually emerged as an autonomous body in 1977 under the Department of Culture of the Ministry of Education of the Government of India. The Institute’s unique mode of functioning has been duly recognized, and on the recommendation of the University Grants Commission, the Government of India bestowed upon it the status of a “Deemed University”, Under Section 3 of the UGC Act 1956 on the 5th of April, 1988. Ven. Samdhong Rinpoche was the first Director. Following the recommendation of the Society, the nomenclature of the Institute was revised to Central University of Tibetan Studies (Deemed to be University under Section 3 of the U.G.C. Act, 1956) with the approval of the Government of India, which was publicly released by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 15 January 2009, and notification to this effect was made on 22.7.2009. For more details, check http://cuts.ac.in/.

4. Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (LTWA):

It was established in 1971. The library houses rare and valuable collection of Tibetan books, manuscripts, thangkas (scroll paintings), icons, and other artifacts brought from Tibet. It also runs services like Tibetan language and Buddhist philosophical classes for foreigners and modern science workshops for the Tibetan geshes and khenpos. For more details, check www.ltwa.net

5. Norbulingka Institute:

It was established in 1995. This institute has schools for thangka painting, embroidery, metal carving, and an academy for Tibetan culture. For more details, check www.norbulingka.org

6. Manjushree Center of Tibetan Culture:

This was established in 1988 in Darjeeling. It runs services like intensive training on Tibetan language and Buddhist philosophies. For more details, check www.manjushree-culture.org.

Present Kalon : PENPA TSERING

Former Kalons

Sonam Topgyal Shenkha Gyurmey (1959 – 1961)
Ta Lama Thupten Norsang (1961 – 1964)
Woesar Gyaltsen Kundeling (1964 – 1975)
Thupten Nyinchen Phechoe (1976 – 1979)
Thupten Namgyal Juchen (1979 – 1987)
Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari (1987 – 1987)
Lobsang Dhargyal Shewo (1987 – 1989)
Kelsang Yeshi (1989 – May 1996)
Tenzin Pelbar Alak (June 1996 – March 1997)
Kirti Rinpoche Lobsang Tenzin (April 1997 – March 1999)
Kalon Tripa Sonam Topgyal (April 1999 – September 1999)
Tashi Wangdi September (1999 – September 2001)
Thupten Lungrig (September 20, 2001 – March 04, 2005)
Lobsang Nyima (March 5, 2005 – August 14, 2006)
Ven Tsering Phuntsok (October 07, 2006 – August 07, 2011)
Pema Chhinjor (September 17, 2011 – May 26, 2016)
Ven Karma Gelek Yuthok ( 1 June 2016 – 25 May 2021)
Penpa Tsering ( 27 May 2021 – Present )

SECRETARIES

Ngawang Dhundup Khendrung (1960 – 1963)
Chogye Trichen Rinpoche (1963 – 1965)
Ngawang Choesang (1975 – 1979)
Khamtrul Rinpoche Jamyang Dhundup (1980 – 1985)
Kelsang Yeshi (1985 – 1989)
Ven. Karma Gelek Yuthok (December 5, 1989 – December 13, 1993)
Lobsang Khedup (January 3, 1994 – July 1, 2000)
Ven. Karma Gelek Yuthok (October 3, 2000 – April 8, 2002)
Thupten Tashi Anyetsang (April 9, 2002 – October 13, 2004)
Tashi Norbu (November 22, 2004 – February 15, 2006)
Tsering Dhundup Namey Lakhang (February 16, 2006 – August 26, 2008)
Lobsang Tsultrim Jeshong (August 28, 2008 – March 31, 2009)
Gonpo Phuntsok [On deputation] (April 10, 2009 – September 07, 2009)
Gonpo Phuntsok (September 08, 2009 – December 15, 2010)
Ngawang Choedak Choetri Tengpa (December 13, 2011 – October 02, 2013)
Ven. Norbu Dhonden (October 03, 2013 – June 30, 2014)
Dhondup Dorjee Gyalling (July 1, 2014 – March 14, 2016)
Tsegyal Chukya Dranyi (March 15, 2016 – August 07, 2016)
Tenzin Lungtok, Acting Secretary ( August 08, 2016- May 21, 2017)
Tenzin Lungtok (May 22, 2017 – January 09, 2020)
Tsegyal Chukya Dranyi (February 19, 2020 – August 30, 2021)
Chime Tseyang Lhutritsang (September 01, 2021 – April 09, 2024)
Dhondul Dorjee (24 July 2024 – Present)

The Department of Religion and Culture has four main sections:

Administrative Section: This section is the main body of the department whose function is to manage and maintain the overall function of the department. The account, scholarship, and sponsorship come under the supervision of the Administrative division. Each sub-section has its own special functions and the concerned persons need to report to an Additional Secretary and the Secretary.

Religious Section: This section has a responsibility to organize and implement various religious activities with the aim of preserving and promoting Tibetan Buddhism and strengthening better relations among four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon, Jonang Tradition. The prayer section, Book publication section and Research section come under the Religious section.

Archives Section: This section’s main responsibility is to maintain records of historically significant documents of the Central Tibetan Administration after assortment by a workgroup called the history section. This section facilitates all the departments of CTA to find old documents whenever they need and also provides a platform for researchers to assist documents in fulfilling their research works on Tibet.

Culture Section: This section was established in July 2021 with the approval of Kashag. The main aim of establishing the culture section is to strengthen its activities and programs for the preservation of Tibetan culture and language.

Secretary

Department of Religion & Culture
Central Tibetan Administration
Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala
Kangra District, HP 176215, India
Tel: +91-1892-222685, 226737
Fax: +91-1892-228037
Email: [email protected]

Programs and Activities

PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES

Scholarship stipend for newly arrived monks and nuns:

This is a support program in which monks and nuns who escaped from Tibet and are aged between 11 and 30 years. Such a monk or nun is provided with a monthly stipend of Rs. 375 per month for 20 years or until they leave the monasteries and nunneries where they are enrolled. This program was started in the 1980s and during the course of its operation, the DRC was able to provide support to more than 10000 monks and nuns.

Support to unregistered and destitute monks and nuns:

This is a support for destitute monks, nuns, and tantric who are not registered to any monasteries and nunneries and are faced with difficulty in livelihood. The department provides a stipend of Rs. 300 per month for them to support their lives. As of our past data, we have 48 beneficiaries and we are now in the process of updating the list from Tibetan settlements.

Support to Russian and Mongolian people:

It is scholarship support for Russian and Mongolian (whose country has strong cultural relation with Tibet) enrolled in Tibetan monastic and other learning centres. Each person is given a scholarship stipend of Rs. 375 per month for 15 years or until they leave the institution to whom they belong. 591 Russian and Mongolian monks are involved in this program.

Support to Himalayan region monks and nuns:

The Himalayan region is deeply associated with Tibetans by language, culture and religion. Tibetan Buddhists and the Himalayan region Buddhists share a common culture of practising and preserving Buddhism. There is a growing number of Himalayans enrolling in various monastic institutions to learn and excel in Buddhism. Since FY 2020-21, the Department has been providing scholarships for 562 Himalayans studying in various Tibetan monasteries.

Honorarium for Teachers:

The DRC provides an honorarium for Buddhist philosophy teachers, Science, and Chinese Language teachers of smaller and financially weaker monasteries and nunneries. As of now, we are providing an honorarium of Rs. 3000 monthly to 490 Buddhist Philosophy teachers, Rs. 3,500 monthly to 16 Science teachers and Rs. 6,500 to nine Chinese Language teachers of various monasteries and nunneries.

Specialization Course:

Under this project, the department provides a special fund to scholar monks and nuns who want to study and write a thesis on one specific topic. The duration of the specialization course program is four years. During the course, the department organises workshop on writing a thesis and also pay scholarship. So far, the department has provided scholarships to 20 researchers from various schools of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon Tradition.

Stipend for Temple Caretakers:

There are many temples and small monasteries in every Tibetan settlement across India, Nepal and Bhutan for performing ritual services to the Tibetans. Since there is no proper financial source for them other than a small amount of veneration offered by Tibetan settlers, the DRC provides a monthly stipend to the caretakers of temples and small monasteries.

MAJOR ACTIVITIES

Religious conference:

The department organizes the Religious Conference of four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon Tradition every bi-yearly. This conference was first initiated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1961 with spiritual heads of Tibetan Buddhism, Kalon, Khenpo and Geshe, at His Holiness’s residence for the purpose of reviving Tibetan Buddhism in exile. Later this department took the responsibility of organizing this conference in order to carry out the work and implement the resolutions passed at the conference. So far, 14 religious conferences have successfully been organized by this department.

Erection of Buddhist Stupas:

The erection of the Buddhist Stupas project was one of the major activities of the department and it was begun in 2014 under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The project has received financial support from Gaden Phodrang (Private office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama) Department of Religion & Culture, CTA and General Tibetan Public Donations. The main purpose of erecting eight stupas in eight holy places of Budha is to pay a symbol of gratitude to the Government and People of India for their unflinching support to the people of Tibet and also dedicated to the prevalence of global harmony and restoration of the natural environment.

Religious Seminar:

The Religious Seminar of four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon Tradition is the follow-up works of the resolution passed in the meeting on the preservation of Tibetan Buddhism held in 2013. The main aim of the seminar is to share knowledge and experiences and understand the common goal of Buddhism and Bon as one among them. The third Religious Seminar will be going to hold soon with speakers and participants from various monasteries and nunneries.

Religious Services:

The DRC yearly organizes Chotrul Monlam Chenmo and Guru Bumtsok, conducts “long life prayers” to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and leaders of four major Tibetan Buddhist schools and Bon religion on a timely basis, and coordinates other religious services required to be done by Tibetan community for the security of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and for the welfare of Tibetan nation. Apart from that, Department also organized special prayer services for Tibetans in Tibet who self-immolated themselves on fire to protest against the Chinese government for freedom in Tibet and return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet.

Modern Science Workshop:

Knowing the significance of modern science workshops to the monks and nuns as well as growing the influence of science in Buddhism, the department conducted an Introduction of Modern Science Workshop to the monks and nuns from various monastic institutions in yearly. In the workshop, we hired science teachers from the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Dharamsala and taught the participants for two weeks about the concepts of modern science and using scientific tools for experiments.

Intensive Course on Tibetan Language and Buddhist Philosophy:

Giving importance to Tibetan youths coming out of college to understand the basic knowledge of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, the DRC initiated the workshop called “Intensive Course on Tibetan Language and Buddhist Philosophy” for the period of six months in collaboration with Snow Land School of Tibetan Studies at Gyumed Monastery, Hunsur. As of now, the department has successfully organized eight workshops and many Tibetan youths received benefits from it.

Tibetan Arts and Culture Fund:

Through this project, we facilitate financial support to the individuals and organizations whose works relate to the preservation and promotion of contemporary Tibetan arts and the distinct culture of Tibet. The core purpose of this project is to encourage Tibetan artists to continue carrying out their works to keep alive and strengthen Tibetan culture. The Department is offering a grant fund of Rs. 1 00,000 to 3 00,000 based on the applicant’s project proposals and interviews.

Summer immersion program:

There are growing numbers of Tibetan students enrolling in Indian private schools. As a student spends more time in schools than with their parents and Tibetan society, their identity gradually fades away with the dominant culture. The first-ever summer immersion program for Indian school-going Tibetan students was held in the year 2022 at Sarah, Dharamsala. The major curriculum of the program includes innovative cultural introductory classes, music and dance classes, and culturally inclusive programs.

MINOR ACTIVITIES

Since its establishment, the Department of Religion and Culture carried out so many programs and activities on a timely based. There are many minor activities have been done by this department, such as collecting data on monastic institutions scared in India, Nepal and Bhutan and Tibetan Buddhist centres around the world from time to time. It also conducts special prayers services for the prevention of natural disasters, provides financial assistance for the renovation of monasteries and nunneries, issues supporting letters for donations and obtains visas for monks and nuns who are going abroad for ritual services.

Announcements

All the Announcements of the Department of Religion & Culture, Central Tibetan Administration are uploaded in the Departmental website. Visit www.chorig.org