Lumbini Buddhist University Hosts Academic Seminar Integrating Scholarship and Devotion
The Sangha Welfare Committee of the Department of Bhot Buddhist Studies at Lumbini Buddhist University organized a one-day academic seminar to commemorate the Parinirvana of the revered Buddhist master Gampopa (1079–1153 CE), also known as Dakpo Lhaje. This seminar, held on the Central Campus, aimed to honor Gampopa’s enduring contributions to Buddhist philosophy and meditation, while simultaneously fostering academic inquiry and spiritual reflection among the university community. The program was facilitated by Venerable Tsultrim Lama and supported by institutional leadership, monastic scholars, and students.
Overview of the Seminar
The seminar was thoughtfully structured into a series of academic and devotional components, reflecting a balanced integration of intellectual engagement and spiritual observance.
Inauguration and Opening Remarks:
The event commenced with formal opening remarks by key dignitaries, including Dr. Manik Ratna Shakya (Dean, Faculty of Buddhist Studies), Dr. Nir Bahadur Gurung (Campus Chief), and Dr. Fanindra Neupane (Former Campus Chief). Their speeches emphasized the importance of commemorating Buddhist masters within both academic and spiritual contexts.
Welcome and Contextual Introduction:
Venerable Geshe Yeshe Dorjee, President of the Sangha Welfare Committee, provided an overview of the committee’s ongoing academic initiatives and the historical and spiritual context of the Parinirvana commemoration. He acknowledged the generous sponsorship of the program by Venerable Tulku Damcho Rinpoche, coordinated through Venerable Karma Dolma.
Paper Presentations:
The core academic segment featured two student-led biographical presentations on Gampopa, delivered in English and Tibetan by Venerable Tenzin Norbu Lama and Venerable Tsewang Norboo, respectively—both first-semester MBBS students. This bilingual format ensured accessibility for a wide range of participants and encouraged academic engagement among students.
Remarks by University Leadership:
Dean Dr. Manik Ratna Shakya offered scholarly reflections on The Jewel Ornament of Liberation, Gampopa’s most influential work, and reaffirmed the university’s support for student-led academic initiatives. Dr. Nyima Sherpa, Head of Department, also addressed practical academic matters such as enrollment and submission deadlines.
Resource Development and Acknowledgements:
A donation of texts related to Gampopa by the monks and nuns of the Trangu Vajra Vidya Buddhist Association (Canadian Temple, Lumbini) enriched the Central Library’s academic resources. Contributors to the university’s student publication Garden of Knowledge were also honored with certificates and honoraria.
Devotional Observances:
The program concluded with a series of devotional practices, including a 45-minute collective prayer for world peace, the offering of blessed items, and a ritual circumambulation of the Prajna Stupa while carrying a portrait of Gampopa. These activities served to spiritually contextualize the academic themes discussed during the seminar.
Significance and Outcome
The seminar highlighted Lumbini Buddhist University’s commitment to preserving and promoting Buddhist scholarly traditions while fostering the integration of intellectual rigor with spiritual practice. By commemorating Gampopa’s Parinirvana through both academic and devotional approaches, the program created a multidimensional learning environment that encouraged reflection, inquiry, and community participation. The inclusion of student presenters highlighted the university’s support for emerging scholars, and the contributions to the Central Library will support ongoing research and study. Institutional leaders expressed strong support for similar initiatives in the future, emphasizing their alignment with the university’s academic mission. The seminar ultimately served as a testament to the vitality of Buddhist education and its relevance in contemporary academic and spiritual contexts.