Dharamshala: The Department of Education (DoE) organized a closing function after the meeting on Secular Ethics among Tibetan teachers and school administrators from India and Nepal on 8 June 2017 at Nyatri Hall, Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala.
After the completion of morning audience and talk by His Holiness the Dalai Lama at his residence followed by group meeting of teachers, a closing function of the meeting was held at 4 pm. The chief guest Dr Lobsang Sangay, President, Central Tibetan Administration, along with Mr Ngodup Tsering, Education Kalon, Ms Nangsa Choedon and Mr Karma Singey, Secretaries of DoE presided over the closing function which was attended by 303 participants.
The 303 participants include 127 participants from 12 TCV schools, 31 from 3 THF schools, 74 from 25 STSS schools, 28 from 14 CTSA schools, 12 from 8 SLF Nepal schools, 3 from Centre for Higher Tibetan Studies (CHTS), Central University of Tibetan Studies (CUTS) and Dalai Lama Institute of Higher Studies, 24 staff of DoE and 4 sponsors of the meeting.
The Education Kalon in his speech mentioned about the recent meeting held at Delhi with regards to unanimous decision on the standardization of Tibetan terminology for Secular Ethics. He also reiterated His Holiness’ morning speech bestowing a huge responsibility towards building a more virtuous world and promoting secular ethics not only in our community but in our immediate Indian communities.
In whatever small or big things that we do, it is very important not to play two-facedness said Education Kalon. He also reminded the audience about the wishes and prayers of His Holiness written at the end of the book; Beyond Religion that the present century will be the century of love and compassion. Thus, Education Kalon emphasized on the importance of making efforts from each and every one according to one’s ability and skills thereby paying gratitude to His Holiness and shouldering universal responsibility.
Dr Lobsang Sangay commenced his key note closing address by mentioning about giving top priority to education by the present Kashag. He reasoned out that His Holiness, few years back, pointed out that the education standard among the Tibetan students has deteriorated and this is something we could manage and improve upon. Therefore, Dr Losang Sangay stated, “to improve upon the education standard, we are giving top priority to education.”
Dr Sangay continued, with the kind support of His Holiness and CTA, he received very good educational opportunities. And, with the education he received, he has been able to become self-reliant and independent. Therefore, the younger Tibetan generations should work hard to educate themselves so that they could be self-reliant and take care of their family. And, subsequently, be able to serve His Holiness, CTA and the society at large.
The secular ethics talk and the meeting of teachers was funded by Phari Chewang Ngokhang from southern California, USA.
-Report filed by Department of Education-