Mundgod: The Department of Religion and Culture, CTA, in collaboration with Gaden Shartse and Gaden Jangtse monasteries, organised the 6th Non-sectarian Debate at the Gaden monastery in Mundgod from 21-24 June 2023.

The inaugural of the four-day debate was presided by chief guest Kyabje Sharpa Choeje Rinpoche, and other guests, including Secretary Chime Tseyang from the Department of Religion & Culture (CTA), Director of Geluk International Foundation, Abbots of Gaden Jangtse and Gaden Shartse Monastery, Abbots of Drepung Loseling and Drepung Gomang Monastery, Abbot of Rato Monastery, Abbot of Tsechen Dongag Choeling, Director of Dorje Drak Monastery, and Director of Bokar Thoesam Norling monastery, Abbot of Jangchub Choeling Nunnery, Mundgod Tibetan Settlement Officer and President of Local Tibetan Assembly.

Around 17 speakers from 44 monasteries and 70 attendants appeared at the inaugural function, along with 500 monks from the organising monasteries.

The opening ceremony was addressed by the event’s chief guest, Abbots of Gaden Shartse and Gaden Jangtse monastery, and the Secretary of the Department of Religion & Culture.

A total of 74 monks and nuns from 41 different monasteries and nunneries took part in the 6th Non-Sectarian Debate. During the course of it, two monks and a nun from each major school of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon Tradition will speak to the participants.

As per the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Department of Religion and Culture organised the first non-sectarian debate in 2015 and subsequently it has been holding these debates at different monasteries annually.

–Filed by the Department of Religion & Culture, CTA