Bodhgaya conference to explore Tibetan and Indian philosophical traditions
Aimed at bridging the past with the present, the newly established Dalai Lama Centre for Tibetan and Indian Ancient Wisdom is hosting its first All-India conference in Bodhgaya on April 3 and 4. The centre aims to preserve and promote Indian and Tibetan knowledge systems while bringing the Dalai Lama's vision of establishing a global, multidisciplinary institution dedicated to protecting and promoting profound knowledge.
The Dalai Lama Centre, inspired by the vision of the Dalai Lama, seeks to bridge the gap between wisdom and modern lifestyle. The conference highlights the need to integrate ancient Indian and Tibetan philosophical teachings with modern education, particularly in a world driven by material progress and external well-being. While technological advancements have enhanced external development, there is a gap in developing inner values such as compassion, mindfulness and ethical leadership.
Khensur Tashi Tsering, Director of the Dalai Lama Centre for Tibetan and Indian Ancient Wisdom, highlighted the importance of not only rediscovering but also implementing traditional knowledge in today’s world. He stated, “The main purpose is to provide the general public with the ancient Indian knowledge to help them live with compassion, particularly for the younger generation because the current system focuses on material development.”
The two-day conference aims to align with the Dalai Lama’s four principles which include commitments to promoting universal human values; encouraging inter-religious harmony; preserving the language, culture, and environment of Tibet; and revitalizing ancient Indian wisdom. The conference aims to honour the vision of the Dalai Lama, but its main emphasis is on global awareness of Indian and Tibetan knowledge systems and amplifying their contemporary relevance.
Tsering emphasized, “Ancient Indian and Tibetan knowledge is not about religion, it is about training the mind. If we incorporate these teachings into modern education, we can create a more compassionate and ethical society.”
The conference has invited over 20 Indian and Tibetan scholars, including retired professors and Buddhist as well as non-Buddhist experts, who will discuss the preservation of knowledge and the challenges posed by western cultural influence. Booklets about the conference will be issued, as well as audio and video recordings will be available for the public. The main aim of this initiative is to provide people with the opportunity to have access to these materials and to share information about ancient Indian and Tibetan knowledge systems.
The conference’s key focus will be on the philosophical teachings of ancient Indian and Buddhist masters, concepts of consciousness, epistemology, and psychological well-being. Focus will also be placed on exploring how these teachings can be adapted to contemporary education without imposing any religious constraints, making them accessible to younger generations.
Tsering highlighted the challenges of communicating these teachings in the modern world and said, “We aim to communicate with the modern youth using language. And by language, I don’t mean Hindi or English, but a way that will resonate with them.”
The Dalai Lama Centre envisions collaborating with academic institutions worldwide in order to spread the benefits of these teachings through scientific research, particularly in neuroscience. As the world grapples with issues of mental health, ethical governance, and social harmony, events like this serve as a reminder of how ancient wisdom still holds solutions for modern crises.
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