October 5,2022
Curtain Falls on Fourth International Conference on Vajrayāna Buddhism
The conference officially concluded with a day-long excursion to Punakha for international participants.
Zhichenkhar, Thimphu. The afternoon autumn rain pitter-pattered on the courtyard; the bustle inside in all solemnity. Briefly, the shower gave way to the soothing sounds of silver gilded jaling (oboe-like Bhutanese instrument), echoing and heralding the end of the Fourth International Vajrayāna Buddhism Conference. The Laytshog Lopön of the Zhung Dratshang (Central Monastic Body) completed the revolution of the wheel of blessing set in motion by the Tsugla Lopön a few days ago.
“Enlightening and meaningful,” said Venerable Dr Dhammapiya, the Secretary-General of the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), India, recalling his experience at the conference. The IBC supported the event.
“This (conference) is important for us to reflect upon our roles and responsibilities as Buddhists. What do we do to contribute to the world environmentally, socially and in other areas to create a peaceful and harmonious world?”
It was an altogether different yet contemplative episode for Dr Seiji Kumagai, an associate professor at Kyoto University who has been working on the fusion of Buddhism and technology. “Although called academic, it’s a conference of its kind. Generally, during academic conferences, we discuss only academic issues. But in this one, we talked about the importance and possibilities of Buddhism to the world in the presence of rinpoches, monks, laypersons, and academics.”
The conference revolved around a broad theme of ‘Modernity of Buddhism’, a synonym reiterating Buddhism’s timeless relevance and a philosophy that is unantiquated. Thus, the four-day event served as a melting pot of discussions ranging from Buddhism in the digital age to Vajrayāna’s social contributions to women’s roles in Vajrayāna. It also saw the fulfilment of the President of CBS Dasho Karma Ura’s opening statement that Buddhism offers its “distinctive bearings and viewpoints in understanding human conditions and its future” through the topics of Buddhism and medicine, music, and environment, among others.
Close to 200 international participants, including renowned religious practitioners, authors, and scholars from over 30 countries, took part in the program. There was an overwhelming number of Bhutanese attendees too.
The Fourth Vajrayāna Buddhism Conference was also a reunion of familiar faces and a moment of reflection as it resumed after almost three years due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Dr Ian Baker, who has been involved since the conception of the conference, felt that each edition provided a unique dimension to understanding Vajrayāna Buddhism.
“This time was very participatory, and particularly, we had Kalu Rinpoche and Dolpo Tulku Rinpoche giving, essentially, what were workshops on their work. Also, a couple of other speakers presented practices that people could introduce into their daily lives that would bring about that state of fundamental wellbeing, which is the foundation for any meaningful spiritual cultivation.”
At the same time, the discussions have been moving towards a new direction of dismissing taboos associated with Vajrayāna Buddhism. “Imagine Kalu Rinpoche publicly showing Tsalung Trulkhor and giving clear reasons why that should not be kept secret. We are moving into a new dimension where old taboos are being removed, and therefore, we can look more clearly at Vajrayāna’s form,” Dr Baker added.
Similar to the past, the Zhung Dratshang was an integral part – practically and spiritually – of the occasion. In Dasho Karma Ura’s words, their forthcoming was “an embodiment of the Vajrayāna institution dedicated to combining skilful means in practice and wisdom in realizing that nothing exists inherently.”
Meanwhile, the rain outside had stopped, and a gentle breeze carried together the fragrance of rain-quenched soil. Along with the dimming shades of the evening, people started to leave gradually. Yet another fruitful gathering stood testimony to the flourishing history of Vajrayāna Buddhism, which has been a central part of Bhutan since the 6th century. At the same time, there was more to look forward to – the next conference defined by a more profound awakening, stronger fortitude and greater zeal.
October 1,2022
Press Release
Fourth International Vajrayana Conference looks into the Modernity of Buddhism
A four-day international conference on Vajrayana Buddhism began in Thimphu today. More than 300 participants participated in the conference.
The first day’s discussion included presentations and discussions on research such as Mind-Body Practices in Vajrayana Buddhism, Vajrayana Buddhism in the West, Vajrayana’s values and Ethics, including Vajrayana in daily life.
The Centre for Bhutan & GNH Studies (CBS) and the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan are organising this conference in close collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), India.
Speakers include world-renowned spiritual leaders, prominent practitioners, teachers, scientific researchers, academics and independent scholars to explore and analyse the central theme of “Modernity in Buddhism”. The modernity of Buddhism is another way of saying that most of the insights of Buddhism can be explored as being timelessly relevant or that it is not antiquated.
Other sub-themes include Vajrayāna’s skilful techniques, Buddhism’s social contributions, core concepts of Buddhism, including emptiness, the evolution of Vajrayāna forms of Buddhism, and myths and legends in Vajrayāna, among others.
During the course of four days, presentations will range from Buddhism and Medicine, Vajrayana and Modernity, Buddhism in the digital age, Women in Vajrayana, to Evolving Buddhist Tradition. Eighty-one speakers from more than 35 different countries will share their insights and experiences and engage in discussion with both international and domestic participants.
The first day also saw the opening of an exhibition on Buddhist Calliprahy: An Emerging Art by renowned calligrapher Jamyang Dorjee Chakishar from Sikkim, India. He is a record holder of the world’s longest calligraphy scroll (165m). Her Majesty the Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck graced the opening of the exhibition open to the public.
Vajrayana Buddhism has been a central part of Bhutan since the 6th century. Taking a broader view, there is thus a historic charge for CBS to take its insights further afield to the extent possible through such events.
Buddhism has developed across time and geographies, and how its philosophy and practices can actively contribute to global wellbeing and transformation as the world emerges from the pandemic. Therefore, the conference examines how Vajrayāna Buddhism continues to adapt to the modern world creatively.
CBS’s President Dasho Karma Ura said that the Central Monastic Body, co-hosting the conference, is an embodiment of the Vajrayana institution dedicated to combining skilful means in practice and wisdom in realising that nothing exists inherently. Its many offerings can be globalised, and one way is again through such events.
He added that Buddhism offers its distinctive bearings and viewpoints. In that sense, it is also a source of insights on how anyone might approach and shape economics, business, management, environment, food, trade, technology, ethics, social organisation, politics etc., from a Buddhist framework of understanding our human condition and its future.
“With the blessings of His Revered Majesty we have received now as in the past, I am certain that the conference will be perpetuated. I hope that this event becomes regular.”
ICB’s Secretary General, Venerable Dr Dhammapiya, said, “We need to attend such conferences for ourselves just to be knowledgeable and feel part of the process to work together. It is important for every Bhutanese as well as all the Buddhists across the globe to attend a conference like this.”
The conference, which is open to all, will end on October 4.
September 29, 2022
Vajrayana Buddhism has been a central part of Bhutan
Countdown to 4th International Vajrayāna Buddhism Conference Begins
September 15, 2022
Zhichenkhar is all set to host the 4th International Vajrayāna Buddhism Conference from 1st to 4th October 2022.
How does Vajrayāna Buddhism continue to adapt to the modern world creatively? How has this Tantric form of Buddhism exerted a lasting influence and remained relevant in a transcultural, scientifically driven, and environmentally challenged society? How can its philosophy and practices actively contribute to global wellbeing and transformation as the world emerges from the Coronavirus pandemic?
To probe into these questions, Zhichenkhar is all set to host the 4th International Vajrayāna Buddhism Conference from 1st to 4th October 2022. The Center for Bhutan & GNH Studies (CBS) and the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan are organising the event in close collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), India.
After a hiatus of almost three years due to the pandemic, this conference edition will see a record number of presenters comprising prominent practitioners, teachers, scientific researchers, academics and independent scholars explore and analyse the central theme of “Modernity in Buddhism”. About 400 people, including 250 international participants from 41 nations, are expected to participate.
Over the four days, it will delve into the subjects of Buddhism in the digital age, Vajrayāna and modernity, women in Vajrayāna, applications of Vajrayāna in our daily life, ethics, values, and meditative practices. Other sub-themes include Vajrayāna’s skilful techniques, Buddhism’s social contributions, core concepts of Buddhism, including emptiness, the evolution of Vajrayāna forms of Buddhism, and myths and legends in Vajrayāna, among others.
The CBS and the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan have been organising the conference since 2016. The continuity of the forum stands as a testimony to its flourishing history. And so far, it has shared knowledge and perspectives on various characteristics of Vajrayāna Buddhism. They included the deeply embodied forms of self-cultivation activating dormant capacities of mind and body towards more altruistic modes of awareness and well-being, the measurable effects and positive outcomes of meditative and yogic techniques, health and longevity practices, Vajrayāna Buddhism’s engagement with evidence-based cognitive neuroscience and psychology, and Buddhist art.
As in the past, the conference will remain open to the public and pre-registration is encouraged considering the overwhelming number of participants expected. Registration can be done online through this link Registration for Fourth International Vajrayāna Conference (google.com). Meanwhile, with the conference date drawing closer, we will keep you posted on the presenters and their biographies regularly on our website as well as social media accounts.
We are on Instagram @ Centre for Bhutan Studies (@centreforbhutanstudies) • Instagram photos and videos and Facebook @ Centre for Bhutan & GNH Studies | Facebook. You can also follow the conference updates through our website https://www.bhutanstudies.org.bt.