The Third Consortium Conference of Tibetan Digital Library held at ATWS Dharamshala
By ATWS Staff Editor,
ATWS Dharamshala, March 14, 2026: The Third Consortium Conference of Tibetan Digital Library was held at the Administrative Training and Welfare Society (ATWS) in Dharamshala on March 12-13, 2026. The event was organized by the Department of Religion and Culture (DoRC), CTA, with ATWS providing venue and service facilities.
This significant gathering brought together 52 participants from 49 monasteries, nunneries, and cultural institutions to discuss the progress and challenges of the Tibetan Digital Library Project since its launch in 2023, which aims to safeguard Tibetan Heritage and ensure its continuity for future generations while enhancing its accessibility to a global audience. The Conference was specifically convened to present the prototype of the Tibetan Digital Library and to solicit feedback and inputs.
The Opening Ceremony began with an introductory remark by Mr. Dhondup Tsering la, Head of the Culture Section, DoRC, followed by keynote addresses from Mr. Dhondul Dorjee la, Secretary of the DoRC, and Dr. Geshe Lobsang Monlam la, Founder & Director, Monlam IT.
Geshe Lobsang Monlam la highlighted the crucial role that the Tibetan Digital Library project can play in strengthening the cultural resilience of the community. While providing a comprehensive overview of the pioneering of libraries all over the globe, including Tibet, Geshe la emphasized active participation by the participants in the TDL Project given its transcendental potential towards the preservation of Tibetan rich culture & heritage, which is a key responsibility that every individual owes to fulfil.
Mr. Dhondul Dorjee la, Secretary of the DoRC, delivered his keynote address, highlighting the challenges faced by Tibetans inside Tibet, including massive environmental degradation, cultural and language deterioration, and human rights violations under Chinese CCP Government’s repressive policies. He mentioned that since coming into exile, the Department has undertaken many initiatives, including the TDL project, to preserve and uphold Tibetan culture and heritage, and plans to implement many more important projects in the future.
On the 2nd day, the department had the honour of inviting Sikyong Penpa Tsering la, the Incumbent Kalon of the Department, to deliver the keynote address. Sikyong Penpa Tsering la addressed the conference on its concluding day, stating that the TDL Project is a key initiative of the 16th Kashag aimed at preserving Tibetan religious scriptures in digital form to greatly benefit humanity.
During the 2-day Conference, the participants engaged in various expert talk sessions on library-related topics such as classification, cataloguing, and digitization. The conference also featured group discussions and Q&A sessions. The event marked a significant step towards preserving Tibetan cultural heritage and ensuring its continuity for future generations
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