National Conference on Nalanda Buddhism

Report

Retracing the Source in the Footsteps of Acharyas

From Nalanda to Himalayan Buddhism

Venue: India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi Dates: 22nd & 23rd March, 2025

The National Conference on Nalanda Buddhism was held on 22nd and 23rd March, 2025, at the India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi. The conference was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Minister for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs, Government of India, Shri Kiren Rijiju, in the holy presence of His Eminence Lochen Tulku Rinpoche (Key Monastery), His Eminence Thegtse Rinpoche (Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh), His Eminence Somang Tulku Rinpoche (Himachal Pradesh), His Eminence Khenchen Lha Tsering Rinpoche (Sikkim), and His Eminence Aka Tulku Rinpoche, along with a distinguished audience comprising senior monks, nuns, and delegates from across the Indian Himalayan region. The conference was attended by 130 delegates.

The Keynote Address was delivered by Acharya Roshanlal Negi, IHCNBT, from Himachal Pradesh — a renowned scholar and translator of great Buddhist masters such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, and His Holiness Drukchen Rinpoche. In his address, he emphasized the origin of Nalanda Buddhism and highlighted that it was from the ancient Nalanda University that Buddhism spread far and wide. The form of Buddhism followed today in the Himalayan region is rooted in the Sanskrit tradition of Nalanda University. He also spoke about the importance of the Bhoti language as the source and medium of Nalanda Buddhism, noting that all its literature exists in Bhoti (Bhoti Bhasha).

The Hon’ble Minister, in his inaugural speech, appreciated the efforts of IHCNBT in creating awareness about the narrative and concept of Nalanda Buddhism, retracing its origins to Bharat, the land of the Buddha. He mentioned that the Hon’ble Prime Minister often states in his addresses worldwide that “India has given Budh to the world, not Yudh.” He spoke about the significance of Buddhism as Nalanda Buddhism, noting that the entire Himalayan belt is home to a predominantly Buddhist population.

He highlighted that due to the profound influence of Buddhist values, the Himalayan region has never been a place of armed rebellion or violence — a fact that reflects the deep-rooted principles of peace and compassion inherent in Buddhist teachings. He emphasized that in today’s world of stress and anxiety, Buddhist principles such as peace, compassion (karuna), and loving-kindness (maitri) are more relevant than ever for the welfare of humanity.

The Minister assured that his ministry would extend all necessary assistance to monasteries, which could be coordinated through the IHCNBT Council. He reiterated the Government’s commitment to the development and welfare of all minority communities in Bharat.

Shri Maling Gombu, General Secretary, IHCNBT, delivered the Concluding Remarks and Vote of Thanks. He briefly summarized the important themes discussed and the scholarly

presentations made during the conference, emphasizing the collective effort to develop and strengthen the concept of Nalanda Buddhism, tracing it back to the land of Buddha —Bharat.

He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Hon’ble Minister for graciously inaugurating the conference and addressing the distinguished assembly of scholars and members of the monastic community. He also thanked the Ministry for its continued support in organizing the event. Today, while many express concern over the extinction of specific plants, trees, and animal species, an even greater threat lies in the extinction and loss of the vast repository of human wisdom accumulated over thousands of years. Therefore, it is imperative to preserve, promote, and propagate the precious Nalanda Tradition — not only in universities and monasteries but also among the general public. The Himalayan region, encompassing Tawang, Sikkim, Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, Uttarakhand, and Ladakh, is a repository of the rich cultural heritage of Buddhist traditions that have flourished for centuries under harsh geographical conditions. Today, this vibrant living heritage is undergoing rapid transformation due to political, cultural, and socio-economic changes, posing strategic challenges.

Nalanda Buddhism, with its cross-cultural connections, has long served as a powerful force for cultural cohesion and social stability in the Himalayan region. It continues to play a vital role in national integration and the consolidation of these strategically significant areas of the country.

During the conference, scholars presented their papers on various topics, followed by detailed discussions and interactive question-and-answer sessions. There was a healthy exchange of ideas, with valuable suggestions and perspectives offered by members of the monastic community and other participants in attendance.