Latest News
Latest News
Indian Himalayan Council of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition
The Indian Himalayan Council of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition (IHCNBT) organized a one day National Seminar and Workshop on "Nalanda Buddhism in the Himalayan Region of India: Emerging Trends and Developments in the 21st Century," alongside a session on "Recognition of Monastic Education by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) Education Board by the Ministry of Education, Government of India," on 9th February, 2025 at the Gorkha Rang Manch Hall in Darjeeling, West Bengal.
The seminar attracted a distinguished group of attendees, including Darjeeling MLA Neeraj Tamang Zimba, who was the Chief Guest and His Eminence Khenchen Lha Tsering Rinpoche, the Abbot of Tashiding Monastery, Sikkim, who graced the occasion as the Guest of Honor.Organized by the Indian Himalayan Council of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition (IHCNBT), the event sought to promote and formally recognize Monastic Studies within the national education curriculum. The gathering was attended by 25 Buddhist monastic delegates from 25 monasteries across Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Salugara, Jaigaon, and the Dooars region. Representatives from various Buddhist organizations, as well as members of the general public, also participated, resulting in a total of 150 attendees.
The main focus of the seminar was on integrating monastic education with modern schooling systems. The event highlighted the importance of this integration and the potential benefits it could offer, not only to monks and nuns but to society at large.
In his keynote address, Maling Gombu, Secretary of IHCNBT, underscored the importance of the seminar in spreading the teachings of Nalanda Buddhism and the relevance of Buddhist teachings today in the world that is afflicted with war and disharmony. He spoke of Nalanda Buddhism as both a profound philosophy and a science of the mind, emphasizing its relevance in today’s world. Mr Gombu also pointed to the ground breaking efforts made in mainstreaming Buddhist monastic education through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) curriculum. This initiative will allow monks and nuns to receive certification up to Class XII in both traditional Buddhist subjects and modern academic subjects, further bridging the gap between traditional and contemporary educational practices. He spoke of the effort and the initiatives by the Govt. of India in developing and promoting the preservation and development of Buddhist cultural heritage and tradition.
The Chief Guest, Darjeeling MLA Neeraj Tamang Zimba, as the Chief Guest, emphasized the significance of Buddhist education extending beyond religious boundaries. He described it as a valuable ethical framework that can contribute to the well-being of all humanity, regardless of religious affiliation. Zimba further acknowledged the strategic importance of such educational initiatives for North Bengal, home to a large Buddhist population and numerous monastic institutions. He also expressed his appreciation for the IHCNBT's collaborative efforts with NIOS and the Ministry of Education, particularly in ensuring that the Bhoti language and Boudh Darshan (Buddhist philosophy) are now part of the national education curriculum.
His Eminence Khenchen Lha Tsering Rinpoche, the Guest of Honor, praised the Government of India’s initiative to recognize monastic education in conjunction with modern schooling systems. He highlighted the crucial role this recognition plays in the preservation and promotion of traditional Buddhist knowledge, ensuring that monks and nuns have access to greater educational opportunities. He also referenced the developments in Buddhist education in South India, particularly in monasteries such as Sera, Gaden, and Namdroling, and noted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recognition of Pali as a classical language by the Govt. that he believes will further contribute to the growth and preservation of Buddhist studies.
A special address was delivered by Partha Sarthi, an Academic Officer at NIOS, who elaborated on the role and mission of NIOS in offering formal education to monks and nuns. Sarthi emphasized the pivotal role of the NIOS-IHCNBT collaboration in recognizing and certifying monastic education, thus significantly enhancing educational opportunities for students in monastic institutions. He also stressed the broader societal benefits of Buddhist education, particularly its positive impact on the development of responsible citizens and the promotion of world peace.
The Monastic representatives from different monasteries were very grateful for the historic development of recognition of the monastic education with modern education under NIOS education Board and they said that this greatly help the monastic community of Monks and Nuns. The representatives from different Buddhist organisation lauded and the step and work of IHCNBt in developing the Buddhist education in the Indian Himalayan region.
The event concluded on a hopeful note, with all speakers expressing optimism that the formal recognition of monastic education within the NIOS curriculum would pave the way for greater integration of Buddhist philosophy and education into the wider Indian educational system. This recognition was seen as a crucial step toward preserving the ancient Nalanda Buddhist tradition and contributing to the betterment of humanity as a whole.
The Indian Himalayan Council of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition (IHCNBT) remains dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and development of the Nalanda Buddhist teachings and traditions. It continues to collaborate with various educational and governmental institutions to bridge the gap between traditional Buddhist education and modern academic curricula, working toward a more inclusive, balanced educational framework for future generations.
Out of the 25 monasteries listed by IHCNBT for affiliation to NIOS Board, 6 monasteries have already been affiliated in the first phase and the remaining 19 monasteries will fill up the forms for affiliation. Two new Monasteries have also shown interest and will apply for affiliation to NIOS Board. So, there will be 27 monasteries from the North Bengal region of West Bengal. The two monasteries are OKC Monastery, Darjeeling and Rangbull Rigzen Sherap Choiling Gonpa, Darjeeling, WB.
The efforts of IHCNBT has been greatly welcomed by the people in the Indian Himalayan region and the people are feeling that the Government id contributing towards the cultural development of the monasteries and the people. This is sending the right feeling of the contribution of the Govt. of India and this will help in decreasing the dependence on the Tibetan exile community and strengthen the national integration and reduce the tibetinisation and developing the narrative of Nalanda Buddhism and Indian as the land of Buddhism.
The program was widely covered in the local and National media which gave a wide coverage as an important event for the development by the Govt. of India. It was covered by media like DSTV Darjeeling, HG News, Darjeeling Skylark, The Himal World, Himalaya Dharpan, The Siliguri Today, Bagdogra Express, Khabar Aajkal, NewsExposes365Days, and ANI News.
In the workshop in afternoon, all the representatives of the monasteries were given the forms for applying for affiliation. Shri Gombu explained of how to fill the forms and the list of documents to be submitted along with form. The officials from NIOS Sh. Partha Sarthi and Regional office, Gangtok Sh. Sanjay Kumar also gave briefing about NIOS Board and the admission process. The monastic representatives interacted with the resource persons and cleared their doubts on the subject. They all expressed their gratitude for the work done by IHCNBT and NIOS Board for the development of monastic education.
