CULTURE PROJECTS
With the aim of digitizing manuscript archives, recording vanishing traditions, promoting historical memory and cultural knowledge, and leveraging Bhutan’s cultural and spiritual heritage for environmental conservation and socio‑economic development, the Loden Foundation undertakes a diverse range of projects. Since 2003, our founder, Lopen Karma Phuntsho, has initiated and led numerous initiatives in collaboration with both local and international partners. In 2013, he implemented nationwide projects through the Shejun Agency for Bhutan’s Cultural Documentation and Research, which was subsequently merged with Loden in 2017, thereby consolidating efforts to preserve and promote Bhutan’s rich cultural legacy.
2004 - DOCUMENTATION OF THE MANUSCRIPTS IN GANGTEY MONASTIC CENTRE (EAP039)
Through funding from the Endangered Archives Programme, Loden successfully digitized the entire library of Gangteng Temple, the private library of Gangteng Rinpoche, and the manuscripts housed in the monastic colleges. This initiative marked the first major digitization project in Bhutan, setting a milestone in the preservation of the nation’s literary heritage. The project produced 1,451 volumes, amounting to 270,398 pages in digital format, thereby safeguarding invaluable manuscripts for future generations while making them more accessible to scholars and readers worldwide.
2007 - HISTORICAL STUDY AND DOCUMENTATION OF THE PEMA LINGPA TRADITION IN BHUTAN
Through support from the Endangered Archives Programme, Loden successfully digitized the entire library of Gangteng Temple, the private library of Gangteng Rinpoche, and the manuscripts preserved within the monastic colleges. This initiative marked the first major digitization project in Bhutan, setting a historic milestone in safeguarding the nation’s literary heritage. The project produced 1,451 volumes, comprising 270,398 pages in digital format, thereby ensuring the preservation of invaluable manuscripts and expanding access for scholars, researchers, and future generations.
2009 - THE DIGITAL DOCUMENTATION OF MANUSCRIPTS AT DRAMETSE AND OGYEN CHOLING (EAP105)
With support from the Endangered Archives Programme, Loden undertook the digitization of manuscripts and rare block prints housed in the temples of Ogyen Choling, Drametse, and Nyala. This initiative resulted in the creation of 144,728 digital images of rare books, thereby safeguarding invaluable cultural and religious texts while enhancing their accessibility for future generations of scholars and practitioners.
2010 - THE DIGITAL DOCUMENTATION OF THE MANUSCRIPTS IN THADRAK, TSHAMDRAK AND NEYPHUG TEMPLES (EAP310)
With support from the Endangered Archives Programme, Loden undertook the digitization of manuscripts and rare block prints preserved in the temples of Thadrak, Neyphu, Phurdrup Gonpa, and Tshamdrak. This extensive initiative produced 287,193 digital images of rare books, marking a significant contribution to the safeguarding of Bhutan’s cultural and spiritual heritage. By preserving these invaluable texts in digital form, the project ensures their longevity while making them more accessible to scholars, researchers, and future generations.
2012 - DIGITAL DOCUMENTATION OF DONGKALA, CHIZING, DODEDRA AND PHAJODING TEMPLE ARCHIVES (EAP570)
With the fourth round of support from the Endangered Archives Programme, Loden undertook the digitization of manuscripts and rare block prints preserved in the temples of Dongkarla, Phurdokha, Mendrup Gonpa, Pagar Lhakhang, Chizhi Gonpa, Phajoding, Pumola, Thujedrak, Dodedrak, and Dhue Gonpa. This extensive initiative resulted in the creation of approximately 300,000 digital images of rare books, marking another significant milestone in Bhutan’s cultural preservation efforts. By safeguarding these invaluable texts in digital form, the project ensures their longevity while expanding access for scholars, researchers, and future generations
2013 - DOCUMENTATION OF BHUTAN’S ORAL AND INTANGIBLE CULTURES
Funded by the Arcadia Fund and carried out in collaboration with the University of Virginia, this nationwide project undertook the comprehensive recording of Bhutan’s diverse cultural heritage. Spanning five years and covering all twenty districts of the country, the initiative produced more than 3,000 hours of audio‑visual recordings and approximately 150,000 photographs documenting cultural items, events, and places. In addition to these extensive archives, the project developed an exhaustive cultural typology and detailed descriptions, creating a foundational resource for the preservation, study, and promotion of Bhutan’s intangible cultural traditions.
2015 - PUBLICATION OF BIOGRAPHIES OF PEMA LINGPA AND HIS SONS
In collaboration with Pedling Choki Gatshel, the religious organization of H.E. Gangteng Rinpoche, the Loden Foundation has published the autobiography of Pema Lingpa, together with the biographies of his son, Thugsey Dawa Gyaltshen, and his grandson, Pema Thinley. These works not only preserve the legacy of one of Bhutan’s most revered spiritual figures and his lineage but also provide invaluable insights into the historical, cultural, and religious heritage of the nation.
2015 - PUBLICATION OF TWILIGHT CULTURES
With funding from Helvetas, the Loden Foundation published the book Twilight Cultures, which documents the socio‑cultural and economic transformations taking place within four of Bhutan’s remote ethnic communities. This important work captures the lived realities of communities navigating change, offering valuable insights into the preservation of cultural identity amidst modernization and global influences.
2015 - MANUSCRIPT WORKSHOP AND PHOTO ACQUISITION
With support from the Swiss Development Cooperation, Loden organized a highly successful seminar on manuscript studies, bringing together distinguished scholars from both Western academia and Bhutan’s monastic tradition. This unique exchange fostered dialogue across intellectual and spiritual perspectives, enriching the study of Bhutan’s literary heritage. In addition, the project significantly expanded the Bhutan Photographic Archive by securing 5,400 historic photographs from British collections, thereby strengthening efforts to preserve and share Bhutan’s cultural memory.
2016 - CULTURAL DOCUMENTATION OF TALO-NUBGANG AND CHIMI LHAKHANG COMMUNITY LANDSCAPES
With funding from the World Bank, Loden carried out the cultural documentation of sites, features, artifacts, and oral histories in the Talo‑Nubgang and Chimi Lhakhang areas. This initiative preserved invaluable cultural narratives and material heritage, ensuring that local traditions and historical memory are safeguarded for future generations.
2019 - DIGITALISATION OF THE KANJUR SET IN TRASHIYANGTSE DZONG, BHUTAN
With funding support from the Borderlands Kanjur Project at the University of Vienna’s Department of South Asian, Tibetan, and Buddhist Studies, Loden successfully digitized a complete set of Kanjur at Trashiyangtse Dzong. This landmark initiative produced 45,164 digital images, ensuring the preservation of one of Bhutan’s most treasured religious collections. By safeguarding these sacred texts in digital form, the project not only protects them from deterioration but also makes them more accessible to scholars, practitioners, and future generations.
2020 - LEVERAGING CULTURAL PRACTICES AND SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONVERSATION IN TALI
With support from the UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme and in collaboration with various local and national agencies, Loden successfully revived Tali Lake in Zhemgang. The project encompassed mapping and demarcation, the development of a footpath and eco‑cultural trail, a comprehensive biodiversity assessment, and the cleaning of the lake. In addition, an audio‑visual documentary was produced to highlight the ecological and cultural significance of the lake, while also providing guidance for its sustainable management.
(2020 - 2021) ICH VIDEO PRODUCTION PROJECT IN BHUTAN
Supported by the International Information and Networking Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia‑Pacific Region (ICHCAP) under the auspices of UNESCO, this project successfully produced ten documentary films showcasing the intangible cultural heritage of Bhutan. These films capture and preserve diverse traditions, practices, and expressions, serving both as an educational resource and as a vital record of Bhutan’s living heritage for future generations.
(2020 - 2022) DIGITISATION OF 20 REMOTE BHUTANESE ARCHIVES - EAP1494
