Rewalsar H.P

Report

The National Conference on ‘Nalanda Buddhism: Re-tracing the Source in the Footsteps of Acharyas: from Nalanda to Himalayas and Beyond’ on 05thFeb. 2023 at Gram Panchayat Ground, Rewalsar (Tsopema), Himachal Pradeshwas organised by the Indian Himalayan Council of Nalanda Buddhist Traditions (IHCNBT). The inaugural session of the day-long conference was presided by the H.E.T.K. LochenTulku Rinpoche, Spritual Director, Key Monastery, H.P. & President Indian Himalayan Council of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition.ShriJagat Singh Negi, Hon’ble Minister, Revenue, Horticulture and Traible Department, as chief guest along with the Shri Ravi Thakur, MLA, Lahaul-Spiti, Himachal Pradesh as the guest of honour, Former MLA ShriPrakashChoudhary and Former Minister Phunstok Ray as Special Guest.The programme was attended by Vice President, IHCNBT, Delhi, Ven. Khensur Rinpoche JangchupChoeden, Vice President, IHCNBT, Delhi, Ven. Geshe Lama ChosphelZotpa, Shri H.C. Negi, Vice President, IHCNBT Himachal Pradesh, Shri Sanjay Moktam, Chairman, Tawang Development Board, Govt. of West Bengal, ShriTseringShamphel, Former Member, National Commission for ST, Govt. of India, AcharyaRoshanLalNegi, KhenpoJigmeyLodos (Nako), H.P., Dr.JangchukNegi, Jangi, H.P. ShriTobden, H.P., KhenpoSherapNegi, H.P., LopanLobsangGelekChoskorling Monastery, Kinnaur, H.P., General Secretary, IHCNBT, New Delhi, ShriMalingGombu, along with esteemed scholars and dignitaries.

In his welcome speech, the General Secretary, ShriMalingGombu spoke on the importance of Buddhism and that Nalanda Buddhism that was the gift of India to the world. Today the Nalanda Buddhism is spreading far & wide. He spoke on the formation of IHCNBT with a National Conference on Buddhism in 21st Century on 29th& 30th June, 2018 at New Delhi (Gurugram) wherein for two days 300 Scholars, Social workers, Monks, Nuns &Rinpoches from Indian Himalayan region, wherein the formation of IHCNBT was founded. The delegation briefed HHDL on the issue and HHDL advised the delegation for the name IHCNBT and was very happy to develop the monasteries in the Himalayan region as centre of study/learning.

He spoke on the objectives of IHCNBT for development & preservation of Nalanda tradition of Buddhism and re-trace to Nalanda Masters for the Mahayana Buddhism is all of Nalanda Buddhism that developed & went to the world over and once upon a time the entire Bharatvarsh influence by Buddhism like the times of SamratAshoka.

At the present time, In India today, Buddhism is on decline & there is need to strengthen the Monastic education system and develop relation belt lay people & the Monastic community. He also spoke on series of National Conference conducted all across Himalayan region.

The Hon’bleMinister of Revenue, Horticulture and Tribal Development, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh ShriJagat Singh Negisaid that India is diverse in terms of religions. He said that all religions have their own religious leaders. There is an effort by the religious leaders to advance their religion. He said that along with other religion, Buddhism has been given right to move forward by the constitution of India. He said that this National Conference organized by IHCNBT in Rewalsarhas many scholars who addressing the conference who know the Nalanda Buddhism. Dissemination will benefit in the future.

On this occasion, Cabinet Minister ShriJagat Singh Negiannounced to give Rs 5 Lakhs from his discretionary fund to the Indian Himalayan Council of Nalanda Buddhist tradition for carrying out activities for the Buddha Dhamma.

The Hon’ble MLA, Lahaul-Spiti, Himachal Pradesh Shri Ravi Thakur said that we all should follow the teachings of Mahatma Buddha and Buddhism for our betterment. He said that Rewalsar is a holy and religious place of three religions and is also the abode of great sages; hence the importance of this place is priceless in itself. During this, MLA Shri Ravi Thakur also announced to give Rs. 3 Lakhs to the IHCNBT from his discretionary fund. In his keynote address, Vice President, IHCNBT, Delhi, Ven. Khen Rinpoche JangchupChoeden, extended deep gratitude to the IHCNBT for taking initiatives to address this crucial point through this conference.Since pre-emptive steps are much better solutions than remedies,Highlighting the significant growth in the literacy rate among Himalayan people in general and particularly among women of the Himalayan region, Ven. Khen Rinpoche stressed the need to revisit the old modes of propagation and practice of Dharma and search for new ways and methods more appropriate to contemporary people. He added that such conferences on Himalayan culture and religion will offer a platform for complete and thorough discussions, coupled with an in-depth understanding of the subject matter would help achieve common benefits for the Himalayan region and the wider world.He said that he would like to request that various Himalayan cultural and religious organizations existing in thepan-Himalayan region radiate and resonate similar spirit and enthusiasm to address the clear and presentdangerwearefacingnow. He said that a complete and thorough discussion grounded on sincerity, focus, and an in-depth understanding of the subject matter may help us produce good outcomes for the Himalayan region and wider world.Whateveroutcome we get from this and various other conferences on Himalayan culture and religion, we should share it openly for the common benefit of all.Since collective effort is a better approach than working independently to solve a widespread problem,we must create networks and link our efforts to mutually support each other. We are at a crossroads now, so the timing is crucial; missing this opportunity may causeus great regret in the future.

The conference also featured in-depth sessions on ‘Nalanda Buddhism: In the Footsteps of 17 Panditas of Nalanda’ and ‘Nalanda Buddhism: In the Footsteps of Guru Padmasambhava in the Himalayas’ conducted by esteemed scholars and guests. There was two technical session for the conference as under. The first session was on Nalanda Buddhism-In the Footsteps of 17 Nalanda Masters/Acharyas.

The session was chaired by H.E.T.K LochenTulku Rinpoche & co-chaired by Mr.Neera Lama Lopchan, Advisor, Tawang Development Board, Govt. of West Bengal from Kalimpong.

The speakers on the session were Acharya Roshan Lal Negi, Scholar, H.P, KhenpoJigmeyLodos (Nako), Scholar, H.P, and Dr.JangchukNegi, Scholar, Jangi, H.P.

Acharya Roshan Lal Negi addressed on the history of 17 Nalanda Masters and history of word Bhoti. He said that Bhoti is word that was earlier Bot and pronounced as Bodh by Acharays of NalandaMahavihara during the visit of ThumiSambota. ThumiSambota was by the 33td king of Tibet SongstenGampo. Thus, he tried to say that Bhoti is not Tibetan by again it is contribution of Nalanda Masters. The Bhoti script was prepared by Thumisambota in Llesa at direction of King SongstenGampo. The king was the first to the script and before doing so, the king sat inmeditaion for 4 months.