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CENTRAL INSTITUTE OF BUDDHIST STUDIES Before 1959, Ladakhi scholars, novices and monks used to go to Tibet in pursuit of higher monastic Buddhist education and to do extensive research in the famous Mahaviharas and other monastic centres. In the 1950s, this practice came to an abrupt end because of the political situation in Tibet. The Central Institute of Buddhist Studies was established in 1959 with the holy rituals performed by H.E. Skyabje Ling Rinpoche, the senior tutor of His Holiness the fourteenth Dalai Lama. The University Grants Commission (UGC), conferred the status of ‘Deemed to be University’ to CIBS in 2016. The emblem of the university has a dharma chakra kept on a lotus shaped pedestal and is supported by a lotus. On each side of the chakra a deer is sitting and supporting it. The chakra is decorated by flowery creepers on both the sides. All these are ensconced by a four petalled lotus. At the bottom, on a banner the name of the institute is written in B

PARASOL This Buddhist symbol ‘Parasol’ is depicted by the umbrella, whose important function is to cast a shadow, the shadow of protection. The parasol or umbrella is a symbol of both protection and royalty. The coolness of its shade symbolizes protection from the heat of suffering, desire and other spiritually harmful forces. The dome of the umbrella is held aloft by a vertical handle (just like the mountain upholds the sky), which is identified with the central axis upholding the world. The umbrella is carried above an important dignitary or the image of a deity, to indicate that the person or symbol below the umbrella is in fact the centre of the universe and also its spiritual support. In Tibet, depending on their status, various dignitaries were entitled to different parasols, with religious heads being entitled to a silk one and secular rulers to a parasol with embroidered peacock feathers. Exalted personalities such as the Dalai Lama are entitled to both and in procession