ITHACA, N.Y. (WENY) - Ground was broken for the Dalai Lama Library and Learning Center in Ithaca at the site of the Namgyal Monastery on Tibet Drive in Ithaca.

The ceremony was followed by a Tibetan cultural program, highlighting part of the mission of the center to provide educational resources about Tibetan Buddhism.

"The library and learning center will preserve the teachings of His Holiness and continue his work," said Venerable Tenzin Choesang, president of the Namgyal Monastery, who added that when complete the center will total more than 9,000 square feet of space. "It will hold the complete collection of the works of Indian and Tibetan Buddhist masters, as well as copies of all 127 books written by His Holiness."

When completed, the center will be the only place in the world where people will be able to find the written works of the 14th Dalai Lama. In addition, the library will contain an audio archive of 40,000 hours of the Dalai Lama's teachings.

The space will also include an exhibition hall that will display photos of the Dalai Lama, as well as his awards and items of religious significance.

"Most importantly, there will be places where large and small groups of people will discuss and learn from each other," said Choesang, "as well as places where individuals can study or reflect in silence."

The Namgyal Monastery Institute of Buddhist Studies was established in 1992.

For more information about the Monastery, visit namgyal.org.