The Tenzin Gyatso Institute, named after the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, was established with the mission of serving and advancing his vision, principles, and values. His message of compassion, religious harmony and universal responsibility has touched the hearts and minds of millions of people from all walks of life and spiritual traditions who recognize its truth, its urgency, and its extraordinary potential. The Institute’s headquarters is located on 350 acres of beautiful, unspoiled, rolling hills in upstate New York.

The Institute was founded by Sogyal Rinpoche, author of the ground-breaking The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, who is renowned worldwide because of his special gift for conveying the heart of the Tibetan wisdom tradition in a way that is both authentic and deeply relevant to the modern mind. Sogyal Rinpoche served as His Holiness’ translator and guide during his first ever visit to the west, now more than thirty years ago. They have maintained a close relationship ever since.

The Dalai Lama has enthusiastically endorsed the mission and initial projects of the Institute; efforts focusing on education, religious harmony and social action.

First among these initiatives is the Tenzin Gyatso Scholars Program. As a result of his global travels and his unique ability to bridge east and west, the Dalai Lama has been able to refine his presentation of the Buddha’s teachings to be more attuned to western audiences. In an effort to recreate His Holiness’ experience, the Tenzin Gyatso Scholars Program aims to bring the best and brightest scholars from Tibetan monasteries to American universities where they will study modern subjects. The inaugural class of seven scholars began their studies at Emory University and Hampshire College in the fall of 2010, wherein they were the subject of a widely read Associated Press article which ran in publications including: The Washington Post, USA Today, NPR and other news outlets all over the world.