Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies

Established in 1967, the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, CIHTS, is a brainchild of Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru which emerged after his consultations with the 14th Dalai Lama. Objective behind the step was to educate the youths of Tibet in exile in Dharamsala and the Himalayan border students of India. The institute was declared a deemed university on April 5, 1988. The Institute aims to attain excellence in the field of Tibetology, Buddhology and Himalayan Studies. The National Assessment and Accreditation Council, NAAC, has accredited it with five stars which is the highest grading of the quality assurance. It is the only university level institution in Varanasi, and one of the two in the entire of Northern India, to receive the uppermost grading.

The university is devoted to protect the Tibetan culture and tradition, and restore ancient Indian Sciences and Literature. It provides a platform for interaction between Buddhist and non-Buddhist Indian philosophical schools; between Buddhist and Western Philosophers; and between Buddhist scholars and scientists. Research projects are also practiced by scholars and researchers from different countries. CIHTS maintains two active exchange programs which are run simultaneously; namely, the Five College Tibetan Studies in India Program and the Tasmania-Tibet Partnership Program. The institute publishes the research material of restoration, translation, original writings and critically edited works in the subject field dominated by Buddhist and Tibetan studies.

 

There is a Shantarakshita library, only one of its like in India, having rich collection of ancient Indian literature in original Sanskrit manuscripts and Tibetan translations. The collections of the Shantarakshita library have been accumulated in accordance with the objectives of CIHTS, declared by the Government of India as an Institute of National Importance. There is a large volume of books on Buddhist / Tibetan / Indian and Himalayan Studies, Audio-Visual collections, Journals and Periodicals.  The institute has hostels, guest house and canteen facilities.

 

The CIHTS initially functioned as a constituent division of Sampurnananda Sanskrit University, Varanasi. Subsequently the government of India examined the advancement of the Institute and decided to accord it the status of an autonomous body under the Department of Culture, Ministry of Education, Government of India in 1977 with 100% financial support. Gradually, the Institute progressed with optimal success. The Government of India declared the Institute a Deemed University in 1988.