By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, July 8: His Holiness the Dalai Lama has chosen Ithaca, New York, to host a library for Buddhists to archive all the materials of the Dalai Lamas, like the presidential libraries in the United States.
Svante Myrick, Mayor of Ithaca in his announcement said, “’His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s Library and Museum’ will be built on South hill. It will contain the writings, teachings, and artifacts of all 14 Dalai Lamas. It will include housing for students of Buddhism and visiting Lamas.”
He also added that out of dozens of cities around the world applying for the project, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has chosen Ithaca, where Namgyal Monastery’s branch is located.
According to Ven. Tenzin Choesang, President of the board of the Namgyal Monastery, the Dalai Lama has accepted the monastery’s proposal to create the institution, which would ‘serve to protect the legacy of the Dalai Lama and all he represents to many millions throughout the world.’
“The institution to be created in Ithaca, the first of its kind outside Tibet, will be a repository of materials from the Dalai Lamas,” Ven. Choesang told Ithaca journal.
He also feels that it would serve as a center for the future generations of students, researchers and writers interested in Tibetan Buddhism.
“I don’t think you can overstate what this means for the cultural heart of our community,” said Mayor Myrick calling it a “big opportunity for the city.”
The Namgyal Monastery also thanked the 29-year old Mayor for all the assistance and support shown towards the project. The mayor also visited the monastery on July 6 to celebrate His Holiness’s Birthday.
According to the administration, the library would be built on a 28-acre site of Du Khor Choe Ling, their facility on state Route 96B in the Town of Ithaca. It would be situated between the monastery complex and Route 96B.
