New Delhi: On 11 October 2025, Tibet House, New Delhi — the Cultural Centre of His Holiness the Dalai Lama — successfully organised the fifth series of dialogue on Theravāda and Mahāyāna philosophical traditions. The conference, titled “What is Real & What Evaluates it?”: Epistemological Issues and Responses from Philosophical Traditions, was held at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, drawing a diverse audience of scholars, academicians, students, and spiritual practitioners.

This event formed part of a year-long commemoration of the 90th Birth Year of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (Ghoton), celebrated as the Year of Compassion.

The conference brought together some of India’s most respected intellectuals and spiritual teachers, including Chief Guest, Prof. Vivek Suneja, Former Pro Vice Chancellor and Former Head & Dean of the Faculty of Management Studies at the University of Delhi.

Among the Guests of Honour were Passang Tsering, Principal of the College for Higher Tibetan Studies in Sarah, Dharamsala, and Prof. Siddharth Singh, Vice Chancellor of Nava Nalanda Mahavihara under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Prof. Singh also delivered the Keynote Address from the Pāli tradition, offering deep insights into Theravāda perspectives on knowledge, reality, and evaluation. The Keynote Address from the Sanskrit tradition was delivered by Venerable Geshe Dorji Damdul La, Director of Tibet House, who eloquently presented the Mahāyāna interpretation of epistemology.

The day-long conference featured a rich lineup of scholarly presentations from the distinguished panels. In addition to the main lectures, a panel discussion by university students from across Delhi provided a youthful and dynamic perspective on the themes explored.

With close to 100 participants attending in person and many more joining virtually via a YouTube livestream, the conference concluded on a high note.

-Report filed by Department of Religion and Culture, CTA