About us
My personal hello to all visitors of "Fachbuchhandlung Tsongkang"
My name is Martin Schwarzwälder. I have been dealing with Buddhism and Tibet since 1989. In the same year I was able to experience how the Dalai Lama got the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1990, I met my first Buddhist teacher, Dagyab Rinpoche, who also took refuge in 1991. In 1992, I moved to Hamburg to study Tibetan Buddhism in the context of the seven-year systematic studies taught by Geshe Thubten Ngawang at the Tibetan Center in Hamburg. In later years I received teachings from many teachers and masters of different traditions. The most important ones in my life are Dagyab Rinpoche, Geshe Thubten Ngawang, Sogyal Rinpoche, Sakya Trizin and Namkhai Norbu.
From 1992-1995 I worked for the first time in the bookstore in the Tibetan Center with Rolf Krämer. This was my first experience in the book trade, which never let me go, but there was still a long way to go with many detours and obstacles, to today's own bookstore. (Learn more about the 20-year history of Tsongkang at the bottom of the page)
In the mid-nineties, I traveled several months to India and Nepal, where I deepened my practice; among other things, I did a large part of my ngöndro (preparatory exercises) at the stupa in Boudhanath, Kathmandu. On my second visit, I also met Buddhist artists and dealers. These contacts prompted me in 1999 to found my first company "Himalaya Enterprises" and distribute art from Nepal and India. In addition, from 2003 to 2007, I ran the bookstore in the Tibet Center.
The "biggest" event in the context of this activity was for me to organize and guide the bookstand together with many helpers during the weeklong teachings of the Dalai Lama in the summer of 2007 in Hamburg. The numerous personal conversations have given me an impression of how many interesting and sympathetic people are interested in Buddhism and are committed to the cause of Tibet. In this spiritual community, I felt more encouraged and encouraged to continue my activities.
In autumn 2007 I moved to Saarbrücken. In addition to the operation of this Internet portal, the "Fachbuchhandlung Tsongkang" was opened there in December 2007 in Saarbrücken. ("Tsongkang" is Tibetan and literally means "house where you shopping" = Market").
Newspaper article "Occupation and vocation"
In 2008, together with Ms. Frank and Ms. Schaaf, I founded the Buddhist Meditation Center "Rime Center" and the 1st Public Buddhist Library "In addition to the many events with well-known Tibetan teachers (info here), I also lead study and meditation courses in Buddhism and Tibetan lessons.