Dharamshala: The Interview for Second Batch Buddhist Studies Research Program initiated by the Department of Religion and Culture was concluded earlier today in the presence of Sikyong Penpa Tsering as the Chief Guest. Other guests include Secretary of DRC, Chemi Tseyang Lutrutsang, Additional Secretary Dudhul Dorjee, Ven Passang Tashi from Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism, Khenchen Nyima Gyeltsen from Kagyu School, Khenpo Gurmey Dorjee from Sakya School, Geshe Lharampa Sangye Tsering from Gelug School, Geshe Yungdrung Younten from Yundrung Bon, and Khensur Kunga Tsamchung from Jonang School.
In his address, Sikyong spoke on the inception of the program by His Holiness the Dalai Lama while apprising Kashag’s effort in achieving His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s vision of bestowing recognised degree to the monastic scholars whose certificates were till now conferred by the DRC to the representatives of major Tibetan Buddhist schools present at the event, along with which, he explained the Kashag’s intention of providing language-learning opportunities to monastic scholars.
Recalling His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s vision, Sikyong suggested engagement of Tibetan Buddhist scholars with philosophers and scientists and recommended scholars collaboration with Theravada tradition.
Speaking about the present Kashag’s policy on monastic sustainability, Sikyong expressed the proposal of creating monasteries a tourist spot to generate income for the monasteries administration and subsidising the monks from Himalayan regions through their respective state government. Considering the prevalent health problems in monasteries, Sikyong suggested training on health care practices to the monks and nuns.
The three-day-long evaluation of research papers and interviewing the specialists pursuing Buddhist studies by the above-mentioned scholars from major schools of Tibetan Buddhism was concluded with the word of appreciation from Additional Secretary Dudhul Dorjee.