Governing Council meeting

Second Governing Council Meeting

Date: 20th December 2022

Venue: India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi

The Second Governing Council Meeting of the Indian Himalayan Council of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition (IHCNBT) commenced with the lighting of the lamp and recitation of Manglacharam. H.E. T.K. Lochen Tulku, President of IHCNBT, delivered the Presidential Address and warmly welcomed all esteemed members. In his remarks, he outlined the objectives behind the formation of IHCNBT and highlighted the progress achieved thus far.

Agenda Discussions and Decisions

Agenda No. 1 – Annual Report and Financial Report (2022–23)

The General Secretary, Adv. Maling Gombu, introduced the Governing Council members.
He presented the Annual and Financial Reports for 2022–23, summarizing key programmes undertaken during the year.
A detailed report was circulated in the agenda book for members’ reference.

Corpus Fund for IHCNBT

The need for establishing a Corpus Fund was deliberated, as budgetary support from the Government of India is still awaited. The following suggestions emerged:

Mobilize resources through membership contributions.
Approach the Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and the Lt. Governor of Ladakh, given their Buddhist demographic base.
Request the Hon’ble Minister for Law & Justice, Shri Kiren Rijiju, to write to these leaders supporting the Corpus Fund.
Approach the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Minority Affairs for a Corpus Fund of ₹100 crores.
Form a small committee to pursue this matter.

Agenda No. 2 – Constitutional Amendments

Shri Sonam Wangchuk, Member Secretary, presented the amendments adopted during the First Governing Council Meeting.
Members suggested that all amendments should align strictly with constitutional provisions and be rephrased accordingly.

Agenda No. 3 – Monastic Education Curriculum (MoU with NIOS)

Geshe Lama Chosphel Zotpa, Vice President, briefed members on progress in curriculum development.
The General Secretary elaborated on the MoU with NIOS, under which Bodh Darshan and Bhoti language have been recognized as subjects.
Members appreciated the initiative and emphasized:
- Conducting a survey of monasteries eligible for adopting the curriculum.
- Developing support systems for teachers, classrooms, and related facilities.

Agenda No. 4 – FCRA Registration and Bank Account

The General Secretary outlined the necessity of FCRA registration to receive foreign contributions.
Nine Governing Council members signed the affidavit supporting the application.
Decision: Open a bank account with SBI Headquarters, Delhi, for this purpose.

Agenda No. 5 – Reincarnation of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

H.E. T.K. Lochen Rinpoche and Ven. Janchup Choden Rinpoche presented the agenda.
Members deliberated on the sanctity of the institution of His Holiness and expressed concern about political interference from China.
Resolution: The Governing Council unanimously passed a resolution affirming the authenticity and sanctity of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation process (copy enclosed).

Agenda No. 6 – Membership Categories

Presented by Shri Sonam Wangchuk and Geshe Lama Chosphel Zotpa.
Key decisions:
- Membership to focus primarily on Sangha institutions (monasteries, nunneries, Buddhist organizations).
- Individual monk membership only through their monastery’s institutional membership.
- Membership fees:
  - Individual: ₹1,000 annually
  - Institutional: ₹5,000 annually
  - Life Membership: ₹50,000 one-time
  - Founding Member: ₹25,000 one-time
  - Regional offices in Himalayan states to lead membership drives.

Agenda No. 7 – Grantee Status under Ministry of Culture

The General Secretary informed members that the proposal for IHCNBT to be accorded Grantee Status is under active consideration by the Ministry of Culture.
Relevant correspondence was circulated for members’ reference.

Agenda No. 8 – Survey of Monasteries in Himalayan States

Presented by Ven. Janchup Choden Rinpoche and Geshe Lama Chosphel Zotpa.
Members emphasized:
- Conducting a comprehensive survey of monasteries across Himalayan states, using the IBC survey as a reference.
- Organizing a workshop to guide monasteries on implementing the NIOS-recognized curriculum.
- Registering all monasteries/nunneries with IHCNBT and establishing NIOS Study Centres.

Agenda No. 9 – Regional Offices of IHCNBT

The General Secretary reviewed the functioning of regional offices in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, North Bengal, Uttarakhand, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh.
He emphasized their role as crucial links with IHCNBT and informed members about plans for budgetary support and formal structuring.

Engagements with Dignitaries

The Governing Council delegation met Hon’ble Minister for Law & Justice, Shri Kiren Rijiju, and briefed him on key issues, including:

Pending grantee status of IHCNBT under the Ministry of Culture.
Inclusion of Bhoti language in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution.
Revival of Vishesh Kendriya Vidyalaya for Himalayan and North-East children.
Appointment of Vice Chancellor at the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, Choglamsar, Leh, which has been delayed, affecting students and institutional growth.

The Hon’ble Minister assured support and requested a detailed note for necessary action. The dinner following the meeting was also attended by:

Shri Jamyang Namgyal, Hon’ble MP (RS), Ladakh
Smt. Rinchen Lhamu, Hon’ble Member, National Commission for Minorities, Govt. of India
Shri Abhijeet Haldar, Director General, IBC