Himalayan Buddhist Conclave

Arunachal Pradesh‑ Monyul

Himalayan Buddhist Conclave Cum Meeting in the State of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, North Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Paldar (J&K), Uttrakhand and Ladakh from 29th January 2021 to 14th March 2021, organized by Indian Himalayan Council of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition (IHCNBT)

The Indian Himalayan Council of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition (IHCNBT) organized a series of Buddhist Conclave and meetings all across the Himalayan region starting from Arunachal Pradesh at Dirang in West Kameng district on 29th & 30th January 2021 and ended at Leh- Ladakh on 13th & 14th March 2021.

Through the Buddhist conclave awareness on the issues and Buddhism in 21st century and the challenges in the Indian Himalayan region was taken up in which different scholars, Thinkers, Rinpoches, Social leaders, Buddhist monks and Lay speakers spoke and deliberated. It also deliberated on the representation to the Board of Sangha for IHCNBT from all the regions from all Nalanda traditions that are prevalent in the regions.

The brief reports of all the regions are as follows:

The National Conference on Monyul Buddhist Conclave (Issues, Interactions & Initiatives)- Cultural Preservation and Identity: Challenges and Way forward in the 21st Century, on 29th & 30th Jan. 2021 was organized at Thupsung Dargye Ling Monastery, Dirang, West Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh in collaboration with Int'l Buddhist Confederation (IBC), Delhi and Local Monastery Thupsung Dargye Ling Monastery, Dirang.

The program started with Mangalacharan and National Anthem. The Conclave was attended by 300 delegates and graced by all the eminent Rinpoches, Khenpo, Nuns ( Anis) and Lamas/monks from all traditions of Mahayana Buddhism and Social worker, Scholars and Laity from Monyul and from Tuting, Upper Siang dist., Mechuka in Shi-yomi dist. And Takshing in Upper Subansiri dist., that are inhabited by Buddhist and located at international border in remote areas of Arunachal Pradesh.

The Conclave cum Meeting was attended by Dr. Dhammapiya, Secretary General, IBC, Padmashree Thegtse Rinpoche, Ven. Guru Rinpoche, Abbot, GRL Monastery, Bomdila, Online address by His Eminence Rev. TK.Lochen Tulku, President, IHCNBT and Ven. Jangchup Choeden Rinpoche, Deputy Secretary General, IBC, Rev. Jigme Raptan, Abbot, TDM Monastery, Rev. Gyabung Tulku, Abbot of Tawang Monastery, Khenpo Dorjee Pasang, Sangti Monastery, Khenpo Leiki Wangchu, Luing Monastery, Khenpo Kalden Gyurmey of Tuting Monastery, Khenpo Se Dawa of Mechuka Monastery, Lama Wangdi Tsering of Tuting Monastery.

The Conclave had deliberations on the topic of “Indian Himalayan Buddhist Communities- Cultural Preservation and Identity-Challenges and Way forward in 21st Century”, discussed and deliberated on the representation to the Board of Sangha of IHCNBT from all the Mahayana traditions in Arunachal Pradesh. The House after deliberations nominated the Sangha Members of IHCNBT from all traditions.

The session on Buddhist Heritage sites and Mapping of Buddhist Monasteries, Monastic institutions, Stupas, Mane in Monyul and Tuting, Mechuka and Takshing, the speakers Sh. ER. TT Dirkhipa presented a paper that recounted the landscape of Buddhist environment in the region, the other speakers were Lama Sagey Leta from Tawang Monastery, Sh. Tseri Gonpapa from Dirang, Sh. Tashi Norbu from Khalaktang, Sh. Rinchin Norbu Thongchi from Rupa-Shertukpen, Sh. Tsewang Dorjee & Khenpo Kalden from Tuting, Sh. Norbu Tsering from Mechuka and Lama Wangdi Tsering from Takshing

A Task force Committee was set up with Er. TT Dirkhipa as the Chairman and Ven. Jigme Tulku as Member Secretary to work on the Documentation of Heritage sites and prepare a report for action that needs to be taken for preservation and development of the heritage sites in the Monyul, Beyul and Pemako areas in Arunchal Pradesh. After the two days deliberations and sharing of thoughts, it ended with World Peace prayer and National Anthem.