In January 2000 a new branch of the Shang-Shung Institute was opened in Austria for all the German speaking countries. It is located in Gschmaier in East-Styria.
The new Institute is a non-profit association without political or religious aims, dedicated to the study and preservation of Tibetan culture.
It is part of the International Shang-Shung Institute, founded by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, the spiritual master of the International Dzogchen-Community, in 1989 in Italy and inaugurated by H.H. XIV Dalai Lama in 1993. Since 1994 there exists a branch of the Shang-Shung Institute in America - located in Conway, Massachusetts - and since 1999 a branch in the Netherlands.

The aim of the Shang-Shung Institute is to deepen the knowledge and the understanding of the Tibetan cultural traditions in its religious, historical, philosophical, artistic, medical, and social aspects in order to contribute to the survival of this culture. Its purpose is to encourage cooperation among interested groups and individuals, thus keeping alive the essential values of these traditions.

Since the beginning of the Institute several seminars, courses, conferences and exhibitions on the various aspects of the Tibetan culture - such as history, art, medicine, astrology, language, philosophy and religion - were held in collaboration with Tibetan and European scientists mainly in Italy and America.

More information: www.ssi-austria.at