A brief report on Students Exchanged Programme 2019-20
Continuing the students’ exchange programme initiated by Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS) Leh and Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (CUTS), thirteen students from CIBS were sent to CUTS, Varanasi during the winter vacation 2019-20 for two months.
On arrival the students interacted with the officials of CUTS, members of Student Welfare Committee, CUTS and the Ladakhi students studying in Varanasi. From next day onwards the students decided to attend the ongoing classes at CUTS and they also requested Prof. Wangchuk Negi and Geshe Biri Jigmed Wangyal to conduct special classes for the visiting students. Accepting their request, Prof. Wangchuk Negi has conducted special classes on Bodhisattva Carya Vatara (Fundamental Mahayana Work by Shantideva) and special classes were also conducted by Ven. Tashi Gyalpo, Ven. Lhakpa Tsering, Ven. Biri Wangchuk and Shri Jamyang Tundup for different subjects including Tibetan Grammar, Language and Literature. The Ladakhi Students Welfare Association organized discussions on different topics twice a week especially for the visiting students. Questions and answer sessions were also conducted with Acharya Lotus on every Friday.
A site visit for students organized by the Students’ Welfare Committee, CUTS was guided by Shri Urgyan to the sacred and historical sites at Saranath. Meditation sessions followed by questions and answers were conducted by Ramesh Chandra Negi and the president of Students’ Welfare Committee, CUTS Stanzin Stanskyong delivered talk on different methodologies for translations.
The Ladakh Students Welfare Association organized an interaction session where all visiting students expressed their views and experiences. At last the visiting students thanked Ladakh Students Welfare Association, Varanasi for their guidance, supports and for organizing interaction sessions.
At last an interaction with the Vice Chancellor of CUTS Prof. Nawang Smastan was organized. Prof. Nawang Samstan inquired visiting students about their experiences and benefits from the exchange programme. Prof. Samstan also gave precious advices to the students. After two months of successful visit to CUTS in Varanasi, students got back to Ladakh on 14th February 2020. On arrival the students thanked Director, CIBS Prof. Konchok Wangdu and all concerned academic and non-academic staff involved in organizing the exchange programme.
