CIBS students arrived Leh after successful Bharat Darshan 2019-20
Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (Deemed to be University) organizes Bharat Darshan (educational tour) for students during every winter vacation. During the educational tour the students visit important historical and archeological sites in different states of India. This year the students were taken to Bihar, Varanasi, Lumbini, Nagarjuna Sagar in Hyderabad, Buddhist centres and monastic institutions in Karnataka, south India, Goa and Delhi. The students also visited several academic and botanical sites and institutions in different states of the country.
Conference, debate and interactive session with the monks and scholars were also organized in educational institutions. The students had a very fruitful interaction session with the Vice Chancellor Nalanda Mahavihara in Bihar where they also had chance to see the Nalanda campus museum. In Varanasi, Dr. Wangchuk Dorjey Negi guided them to the Buddhist sites. They also participated in discussion session with the students studying in Varanasi. During this Tashi Yangdol from CIBS gave a presentation on Four Noble Truth and Stanzin Chosrab introduced Sowa Rigpa and prevention of diseases. During this Dr. Wangchuk Negi gave a precious advice to the students about individual responsibility and education for world peace. He highlighted the importance of Nalanda tradition of education system that students should learn during such educational tours. On same day the students studying in Varanasi hosted a grand New Year celebration and the students of CIBS Leh got a special invitation.
In Bangalore, the students were hosted by the Dalai Lama Institute for Higher Studies. While staying here the students participated in talks and discussion with scholars from the Dalai Lama Institute for Higher Studies on topics such as Buddhism and modern science, importance of secular ethics and several other subject related to Buddhist studies. In Karnataka the students got opportunity to interact with eminent Geshe and scholars in Sera Jey, Tashi Lunpo, Drepung Losseling, Namdoling and Kagyu Gonpa. The students also visited several religious, historical, botanical and archeological sites in Mysore and Goa. The students were guided by two teachers, Geshe Dakpa Kalsang and Konchok Nawang.
At the completion of the tour Geshe Dakpa Kalsang expressed gratitude to all the individuals and institutions that supported the students group in terms of providing board and lodge, organizing talks and discussions and introducing them to historical sites. On their return, the director CIBS, Prof. Konchok Wangdu said that the aim of the Bharat Darshan is to enhance the knowledge of the students through interaction, discussions and dialogue with scholars and students of other institutions and give them exposure to important sites in the country. Prof. Konchok Wangdu also expressed thanks to all the people who helped the students from CIBS during their educational tour.