Amnye Machen Institute

Amnye Machen Institute

Founders	Lhasang Tsering, Jamyang Norbu, Pema Bhum and Tashi Tsering
Established	16 July 1992
Focus	Tibetan studies
Head	Ju Tenkyon (khenpo)
Location	Dharamshala , Himachal Pradesh , India

The Amnye Machen Institute is based in Dharamshala working in the field of Tibetan studies. It began along liberal and humanist lines, focusing primarily on secular subjects with emphasis on the contemporary and the neglected aspects of Tibetan culture and history. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

History

The Amnye Machen Institute was founded on 16 July 1992 in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India by Tashi Tsering, Pema Bhum, ^[4] Jamyang Norbu and Lhasang Tsering. The institute aimed at advancing an international and secular culture within traditional Tibetan society.

The institute started with the blessing and Rs. 50,000 seed money from the Dalai Lama and became the central point of intellectual and social movement in the exile community. They started fortnightly newspaper called Mangtso (English: Democracy) and publish scholarly magazine called Lungta (English: Windhorse). ^[5]

Objectives

The institute focuses on addressing the limitations of the Tibetan people inside and outside Tibet in the intellectual, social and cultural life by undertaking scientific studies into Tibetan history, culture, society and politics.^{[ citation needed ]}

The Amnye Machen Institute explores external cultures, ideologies and nations that have influenced the Tibetan history and search for a new path in Tibetan studies by focusing on contemporary Tibetan art, literature and women's studies.^{[ citation needed ]}

Significance

The institute studies the past to understand and direct Tibetan people to prepare for the future, through raising cultural and intellectual awareness, by making literature, culture and scientific knowledge readily available.^{[ citation needed ]}

It provides service and platform to various writers, academics, poets, artists and musicians for their creative growth and promotes their work.^{[ citation needed ]}

Award

The institute was awarded the Poul Lauritzen Prize for Freedom award in 1994 and 1996. ^[6]

List of founding directors

• Lhasang Tsering
• Jamyang Norbu
• Pema Bhum
• Tashi Tsering
• Ju Tenkyon (current director)

Publications

• Trails Of The Tibetan Tradition: Papers for Elliot Sperling ^[7]
• Forty-five Years of Tibetan Studies: An Anthology of Articles by Per Kvaerne ^[8]
• The Centennial of the Tibeto-Mongol Treaty, 1913–2013
• A Short History of Mustang ^[9]
• Pandita and the Siddha: Tibetan Studies in Honor of E. Gene Smith ^[10]
• Tibetan Studies in Honour of Samten Karmay ^[11]

References

1. "Amnye Machen Institute Celebrates 20th Anniversary". VOA. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
2. "Amnye Machen Institute turns 10". Central Tibetan Administration. 28 June 2002. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
3. "Amnye Machen Institute Releases Six Books". VOA. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
4. Modern Tibetan literature and social change. Hartley, Lauran R., 1964-, Schiaffini-Vedani, Patricia, 1967-. Durham: Duke University Press. 2008. ISBN   978-0-8223-8143-3. OCLC   654195740.
5. "Amnye Machen Institute turns 10". Central Tibetan Administration. 28 June 2002. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
6. admin. "In English". PL - Fonden (in Danish). Retrieved 21 July 2020.
7. Trails of the Tibetan tradition: papers for Elliot Sperling. Sperling, Elliot; Vitali, Roberto; Dge-ʼdun-rab-gsal; Willock, Nicole D. Dharamshala, H.P., India. 2014. ISBN   978-81-86227-72-5. OCLC   907461757.
8. Kværne, Per, 1945- (2015). Forty-five years of Tibetan studies: an anthology of articles. A-myes-rma-chen Bod-kyi Rig-gzhung Zhib-ʼjug-khang (Dharmsāla, India). Dharamshala. ISBN   978-81-86227-73-2. OCLC   944339266.
9. Vitali, Roberto (2012). A short history of Mustang (10th-15th century). Dharmshala. ISBN   978-81-86227-57-2. OCLC   820553526.
10. The pandita and the siddha : Tibetan studies in honour of E. Gene Smith. Smith, E. Gene; Prats, Ramón. Dharamshala: Amnye Machen Institute. 2007. ISBN   978-81-86227-37-4. OCLC   182579241.
11. Tibetan studies in honour of Samten Karmay. Karmay, Samten Gyaltsen; Pommaret, Françoise; Achard, Jean-Luc. Dharamshala: Amnye Machen Institute. 2009. ISBN   978-81-86227-54-1. OCLC   648101195.