Dharamshala: The Department of Religion and Culture, Central Tibetan Administration, organised second Consortium Conference on the Tibetan Digital Library from 15 to 16 January 2025, at Hotel Imperial, Khanyara, Dharamshala, in collaboration with Wadhwani AI and Monlam ITRC. This event, funded by USAID, aims to further strengthen the cultural resilience of the Tibetan community by enhancing collaboration and developing actionable strategies.

The ceremony was honoured by the presence of Department of Religion and Culture Secretary Dhondul Dorjee, the Project Management Specialist Radharani Thakuria and development assistance Specialist Balaka Dey of the USAID, founder of Monlam AI and Monlam IT Geshe Lobsang Monlam, and Director of Buddhist Digital Resource Center Dr. Jann Ronis. Around 58 participants from different monasteries and cultural institution attended the conference.

The inaugural ceremony began with Secretary Dhondul Dorjee, Radharani Thakuria, and Balaka Dey lighting a butter lamp and offering prayers, followed by an introduction to the conference. The Department of Religion and Culture also screened a video showcasing the project’s first-year accomplishments and undertakings.

 

During his address, Secretary Dhondul Dorjee, expressed gratitude to stakeholders involved in the program, from USAID, Tibet Fund, SARD, Wadhwani AI, Monlam ITRC, and the Buddhist Digital Resource Center (BDRC). He highlighted the Tibetan Digital Library’s role in preserving Tibetan cultural heritage, such as manuscripts, Thangkas, statues, videos, and audios, ensuring the community’s cultural continuity through secure and accessible digital archiving. He further noted that the program, titled “Strengthening Cultural Resilience of Tibetan Communities”, was launched by Sikyong Penpa Tsering on 3 November 2023, marking a crucial step in safeguarding Tibetan heritage and ensuring its continuity for future generations.

Project Management Specialist Radharani Thakuria of USAID extended her thanks to the Buddhist Digital Resource Center (BDRC) and Monlam AI for their technical expertise. She remarked, “monasteries are the pillars of Tibetan Buddhism, the custodian of culture and heritage and the house of knowledge, passed down for centuries. The creation of the Tibetan Digital Library, is essential for preserving and transmitting Tibetan Culture for future generations”.

Around 11:30 p.m., Dhondup Tsering from the Department of Religion and Culture presented an overview of the project’s first-year achievements, along with plans and budget proposals for the upcoming year. This was followed by an introduction to the Tibetan Digital Library Catalog System, highlighting its features, benefits, and future potential.

The afternoon sessions focused on hands-on activities and expert presentations. Participants observed the examination and digitization of ancient texts and documents, while also exploring the use of modern technology for preservation. Key highlights included a demonstration of the Tibetan Digital Library (TDL) platform and its prototype model by Deepashree Mahajan, Acting COP and product manager of Wadhwani AI, as well as a session on the application of artificial intelligence in digital preservation presented by Dr. Geshe Lobsang Monlam, founder of Monlam AI and Monlam IT. Additionally, methods for preserving ancient texts was shared by Ngawang Thinley, Founding Director of Esukhia and Open Pecha.

The event concluded with group discussions and debates, providing a platform for participants to share ideas and insights. The conference build upon the achievements of the first year, setting the stage for continued innovation and collaboration in the preservation of Tibetan heritage.