The Faculty of Buddhist Studies (FBS), Lumbini Buddhist University (LBU), successfully organized the third edition of the Teachers and Students Seminar-2082 on 19-20 Chaitra 2082 (April 2-3, 2026) at the Conference Hall of the Central Library, LBU. Centered on the theme “Journey of Shared Dialogue, Learning and Wisdom through a Buddhist Approach,” the seminar provided a vibrant academic platform that brought together teachers, students, and scholars for meaningful dialogue grounded in Buddhist perspectives. The program reaffirmed the faculty’s commitment to fostering collaborative learning and research excellence through inclusive academic engagement.
Exploring Buddhist Thought through Diverse Academic Themes
The seminar was organized around four major sub-themes: Buddhism for social harmony, inclusion, and human values; applied Buddhist ethics and contemporary social engagement; meditation, doctrinal and educational traditions in Buddhism and textual, psychological, historical, and cultural heritage studies. These thematic areas encouraged interdisciplinary exploration and highlighted the enduring relevance of Buddhist teachings in addressing contemporary social, ethical and academic challenges.
Promoting Shared Learning and Academic Inclusivity
A central objective of the seminar was to promote balanced collaboration between teachers and students by creating an inclusive academic environment. The program emphasized active dialogue, mutual respect and the co-creation of knowledge, thereby minimizing conventional academic hierarchies. It also aimed to ensure equal opportunities for academic exposure and professional growth while strengthening networks across constituent and affiliated institutions. Through critical engagement and peer exchange, the seminar contributed to enhancing analytical thinking, research communication, and scholarly interaction.
Strong Participation Reflects Academic Commitment
The seminar was chaired by Dr. Manik Ratna Shakya, Dean of the Faculty of Buddhist Studies, LBU. The program was effectively coordinated and hosted by Mr. Kamal Thapa, Assistant Lecturer and Member of
The seminar witnessed enthusiastic academic participation, with 18 abstracts submitted and 16 full papers selected for presentation. Contributions were received from three constituent institutions and eight affiliated campuses, ensuring balanced representation of eight teachers and eight students. Organized into four thematic sessions, the seminar engaged 28 experts and attracted more than 200 participants, reflecting a strong commitment to academic excellence and collaborative learning.
Leadership and Scholarly Guidance
The seminar was chaired by Dr. Manik Ratna Shakya, Dean of the Faculty of Buddhist Studies, LBU. The program was effectively coordinated and hosted by Mr. Kamal Thapa, Assistant Lecturer and Member of the Research Committee, FBS. The academic sessions were chaired by distinguished scholars including Dr. Manik Ratna Shakya, Sr. Prof. Basanta Bidari, Dr. Kul Prasad Khanal (Director, Planning and Evaluation Division) and Dr. Kumar Khadka (Director, DEDP), ensuring academic rigor and depth in discussions. The sessions were further facilitated by moderators Dr. Nir Bahadur Gurung, Dr. Sharada Poudel, Dr. Deepak Prasad Acharya and Dr. Sagar Neupane, while rapporteurs Mr. Bal Bahadur Pandey, Mr. Dayaram Bhandari, Mr. Sumanta Raj Neupane and Mr. Jit Bahadur Shettri ensured systematic documentation of the proceedings. The responsibility for timekeeping was effectively managed by Ms. Sanju Bhandari, of the Central Library.
Diverse Research Presentations Enrich Discourse
The seminar featured a wide range of research presentations from both teachers and students, including Mr. Dharma Raj Shakya, Ms. Kamal Devi Khadka, Ms. Suroj Maharjan, Ms. Li Zeyang, Mr. Shakti Dhar Yadav, Mr. Kamal Silwal, Mr. Birkaji Shakya, Mr. Mingma Nurbu Sherpa, Mr. Lobsang Tsundru, Mr. Nyima Sherpa, Ms. Ambika Prajapati, Mr. Manjeel Subedi, Mr. Nirnaya Bikram Dangol, Mr. Gobinda Neupane, and Ang Kusalanyani. The presentations reflected diverse scholarly perspectives, integrating doctrinal insights with contemporary applications of Buddhist thought.
Expert Commentary Strengthens Academic Quality
Scholarly feedback was provided by a panel of commentators including Mr. Indra Prasad Kafle, Dr. Arvinda Kumar Singh, Dr. Nir Bahadur Gurung, Dr. Fanindra Kumar Neupane, Dr. Sharada Poudel, Mr. Manjeel Subedi, Mr. Sanjay Shakya, Mr. Kabir Shakya, Mr. Kamal Thapa, Mr. Gajendra Gupta, Ms. Anju Khanal, Mr. Neshan Shrestha, and Mr. Lilamani Pandey. Their constructive critiques and analytical insights significantly enriched the academic discussions and contributed to refining the quality of the research outputs.
Journal Release and Publication Opportunities
A major highlight of the seminar was the official release of Lumbini Insights Journal, Volume 3 during the inaugural ceremony by distinguished dignitaries. Furthermore, selected papers presented during the seminar have been recommended for publication in Volume 4 of the journal, reflecting the scholarly merit and academic rigor of the contributions.
Strengthening Academic Culture through Buddhist Values
The seminar successfully integrated academic excellence with core Buddhist values such as dialogue, mindfulness, and wisdom. By bridging the gap between teachers and students, the event fostered a more inclusive, participatory, and reflective academic culture. It also strengthened institutional collaboration and reaffirmed the role of Buddhist studies in addressing contemporary societal needs.
A Step Forward in Academic Collaboration and Research Excellence
In conclusion, the Teachers and Students Seminar-2082 stands as a significant academic initiative of the Faculty of Buddhist Studies, Lumbini Buddhist University. The seminar not only enhanced research culture and academic engagement but also established a sustainable platform for continued collaboration, intellectual growth, and the practical application of Buddhist knowledge in contemporary contexts.
Enhancing Academic Access through Library Initiative
On the occasion of the Seminar, the Central Library established a Book Corner to promote a culture of study and strengthen library-related programs. The Book Corner provided reading and access facilities for paper presenters and scholars throughout the seminar period.
According to The Dean of the Faculty of Buddhist Studies, Dr. Manik Ratna Shakya, the future editions will emphasize deep learning, collaborative engagement, research and creative scholarship to foster a more reflective and impactful academic culture through timely and context-relevant programs.