A glimpse of Tibet at Norbulingka

Whenever I think of Tibet, the first image that comes to my mind is of the Buddhist monks dressed in saffron maroon colored long robes and that ever-present smile and calmness on their face that can bring a sense of joy to anyone by mere looking at them.

Buddhism and Tibetan culture have become so intricately related over the past few centuries that it is almost impossible to separate the two! With the countless symbols that this culture has and the deep meanings associated with them, an outsider may feel lost in its intricacies. But, if one truly digs deeper into it, the real beauty begins to manifest and blesses the seeker with its astonishing meaning.

We all know that after Tibet was invaded by China in 1950, the 14th His Holiness Dalai Lama went into exile and made Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh) his official residence. As a result of the invasion, a lot of Tibetans were either killed or had to flee away from their own homeland. Over a period of time, the rich and timeless heritage of Tibet got lost due to the declining interest of the people in traditional arts and fine works.

In order to restore the centuries-old culture of Tibet, Norbulingka Institute was officially inaugurated by His Holiness Dalai Lama in 1995 with a mission to bring back the lost traditional art of Tibet in the form of paintings, artworks, wood carvings, etc. and help them to sustain in the modern-day.

The institute serves as a living symbol of the efforts of the Tibetan masters to restore the nearly lost Tibetan heritage. Every year, thousands of people, not only from India, but people from all around the world visit the place to get a glimpse and become a part of their community at Norbulingka. The Institute offers various workshops that one can undertake based upon his/ her interest, ranging from thangka painting, statue making, thangka applique, woodcarving, wood painting, tailoring, weaving, screen printing and applique. It also has accommodation facilities where one can spend some time in the beautiful gardens and breathe the fresh air that will help to soak the essential vibes that are present in that sacred land!

Nestled in the majestic Himalayas, Norbulingka takes you to a different world as soon as you step inside its gates. One is greeted with the traditional form of wall paintings that can put the “modern” painters to shame. The entire architecture has been designed in the traditional Tibet style that gives you a feeling that one is actually in Tibet. One needs several hours to explore all the things that are available in the Institute.

Although each and every corner of the Institute is filled with awe, one gets amazed looking at the temple that is situated in the centre of the Institute.

“Deden Tsuklagkhang, a magnificent example of Tibetan religious architecture, displaying some of the finest work done by Norbulingka artists, and the perfect place for prayer and reflection. Adorning the walls are thangka frescoes depicting the deeds of the Buddha, the Fourteen Dalai Lamas, and other great Buddhist masters. An applique thangka, over two stories high, hangs from the ceiling, displaying the Buddha and the 16 arhats, the work of dozens of artists and thousands of hours of dedicated labour. The centrepiece of the temple is a 14ft gilded statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, the largest of its kind outside Tibet, lovingly crafted by Norbulingka artists from hand-hammered copper sheets”

– Norbulingka website

Apart from the temple, there is an extremely beautiful and meticulously designed Doll Museum. It houses nearly 150 dolls that are designed in traditional costumes of Tibet. One can purchase the locally made statutes, paintings, wall decor from the shop inside the Institute. The entire money goes in the development and support of the Tibetan culture.

Norbulingka Institute truly offers a rich and an in-depth experience of the ancient civilization of Tibet, a country that has been the centre of spiritual attraction for many centuries. The magnificence and grandeur of such places are often difficult to express in words. It is not very easy to comprehend the mystical aspects of these places by every soul. A deep level of perception is required to experience even the basic Buddhist practice of living a life of discipline and reverence.