The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology’s libraries

The Tibetan library is situated on the first floor of the institute's main building. The NIT’s library holds one of the largest collections of Tibetan works in the world outside Tibet. There are over 60,000 titles consisting of Tibetan translations of canonical and non-canonical works from their original Sanskrit or Pali, as well as tantric texts belonging to the four sects of Tibetan Buddhism. Among others, the library also has the collected works of Padma Lingpa, Mipham Rinpoche and the great Vth Dalai Lama, and the hagiography of guru Padmasambhava.

To the right side of the main building is the general library. This library holds a good collection of books in different languages covering Tibet, Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan and Ladakh, including a number of collections on religion [Buddhism], History and Philosophy. In addition, journals and periodicals from leading institutions and organizations enrich the collection. Since it is a reference library, the institute does not lend or issue books for home use. However, readers and visitors can consult them in the library's reading room. The library allows photocopying although some restrictions apply to the rare books collection.

The library is open from 10 am to 4 pm and remains closed on Sundays, every month's second Saturdays and Sikkim Government holidays.

Some of the important books in the Tibetan library

1. bKa’ ‘gyur (lHa sa edition) 104 volumes
2. bKa’ ‘gyur (sDe dge edition) 103 volumes
3. bsTan ‘gyur (sDe dge edition) 214 volumes

rNying ma

1. rNying ma rgyud ‘bum 25 volumes
2. Rin chen gter mdzod 62 volumes
3. Baii ro’i gsung ‘bum 8 volumes
4. mChog gyur gling pa’i 34 volumes
5. bDud ‘dul rdo rje’i gsung ‘bum 8 volumes
6. Pad ma gling pa’i gsung ‘bum 19 volumes
7. ‘Jigs med gling pa’i gsung ‘bum 7 volumes
8. dPal sprul rin po che’i gsung ‘bum 6 volumes
9. rGyal ba klong chen pa’i gsung ‘bum (mdzod bdun)7 volumes
10. rTse le sna tshogs rang grol gyi gsung ‘bum 8 volumes
11. Sangs rgyas gling pa’i gsung ‘bum 8 volumes
12. Mi pham gsung ‘bum 18 volumes
13. Pad ma bka’ thang 6 volumes

bKa’ brgyud

1. Bu ston gsung ‘abum 26 volumes
2. ‘Brug padma dkar po’i gsung ‘bum 14 volumes
3. gDams ngag mdzod 10 volumes
4. Kong sprul gsung ‘bum 10 volumes
5. Shes bya kun khyab 3 volumes
6. Khams sprul gsung ‘bum 26 volumes

Sa skya

1. rGyud sde kun ‘dus 30 volumes
2. Sa skya bka’ ‘bum 15 volumes
3. Kun mkhyen bsod nams seng ge’i gsung ‘bum 13 volumes
4. ‘Jam dbyangs mkhyen brte’i gsung ‘bum 24 volumes
5. sGrub thabs kun ‘dus 14 volumes
6. Pan chen sa skya mchog ldan gyi gsung ‘bum 24 volumes

dGe lugs

1. rJe tsong kha pa’i gsung ‘bum 18 volumes
2. rGyal tshab rje gsung ‘bum 8 volumes
3. mKhas grub rje gsung ‘bum 10 volumes
4. Ta la’i blama rim byon gyi gsung ‘bum 51 volumes
5. Tshe gling yong ‘dzin gyi gsung ‘bum 19 volumes
6. Klon rdol bla ma’i gyi gsung ‘bum 2 volumes
7. dKon mcog bstan sgron gyi gsung ‘bum 8 volumes
8. Thu’u bkwan gyi gsung ‘bum 10 volumes
9. Co ne grags pa bshad sgrub kyi gsung ‘bum 4 volumes
10. Bo dong phyos las rnam rgyal gyi gsung ‘bum 137 volumes
11. Chos ‘byung dang rig gnags skor 10 volumes
12. gDan sa gsum gyi yig cha pod 38 volumes