Academic Programs

Songtsen Library is a branch of Drikung Kagyu Institute, Kulhan, Sahastradhara Road, Dehradun which is a registered Society under the Charitable Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860. The Library is a non-profit and non-political institution committed to collection and preservation of books, research and publication on various subjects. Since its inception in 2003, the Library has emerged as an important center of knowledge and reference for academicians, scholars, students and researchers from India and around the world for research on Tibetan and Himalayan Buddhist Studies. The reputation of the institute as research center was duly recognized by Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Srinagar, Uttarakhand, which approved and recognized the Center as “Research Resource Center”. In association with HNB Garhwal University and Sridev Suman University Songtsen Library is committed to provide formal study opportunities in Buddhist Philosophy and Himalayan Languages (Tibetan, Bhoti).

Songtsen Library is recognized by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India. It is also recognized by the Ministry of Home Affairs (Foreigners Division) government of India for the purpose of granting five years students and research visa to foreign nationals.

Songtsen Library currently offers BA, MA degrees, a Certificate Course in Tibetan language, and a three-year research PhD degree program. Since the influx of students and researchers to the Library has increased manifold, we have decided that the Library should expand its courses in Buddhist Studies & Bhoti/Tibetan Language and literature in near future. The faculty at Songtsen Library consists of senior monastic professors (khenpos) and junior monastic professors (lopons) as well as international instructors trained in modern academic disciplines. As a crucial element of the training in Buddhist philosophy & languages, courses taught by monastic professors on classical Buddhist scriptures follow the format and curriculum of a traditional Buddhist monastic education. Courses taught by international instructors follow the approach of the modern academy including use of historical-critical methodology and secondary sources. For those students wishing to study for shorter periods, The library administration is also planning to launch some more short term courses most of the courses listed on this website may be taken on a non-degree, non-examination basis.