The third conference on Vajrayana Buddhism began yesterday at the new library of body, mind and sound in Thimphu. More than a hundred participants from over 15 countries are attending the conference.
The Centre for Bhutan and GNH Studies in collaboration with the Central Monastic Body is organizing it with an aim to provide a rich insight into Vajrayana Buddhism’s history, practice and contemporary relevance.
The first two conferences were organized in 2016 and 2018.
The President of the Centre for Bhutan and GNH Studies said the conference is the first pre-consecration of the new library of body, mind and sound named in honour of the Great Fourth as Zhichenkhar.
“Zhichenkhar is almost complete and we are yet to do the consecration and this is the first pre-consecration event. And by the subject matter itself, it is very auspicious.” Dasho Karma Ura said.
Over the next two days, the conference will see scholars and practitioners from around the world sharing experiences and findings on Vajrayana Buddhism.
This year’s conference will specifically seek to identify the characteristics of Vajrayana Buddhism that distinguishes it from other Buddhist practices.
It will explore the various ways in which the techniques of Vajrayana Buddhism can be adapted and made relevant to a modern world.
Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering at the inaugural of the conference said, “we need such activities and facilities because with modern technologies eroding our age-old traditions very fast, we have no guarantee that the younger generation will follow the footsteps. So like-minded people must gather together, dissect out the ways and dos and don’ts of such traditional practices and make it relevant for the newer minds that are coming up.”
Today, Bhutan is the last surviving Vajrayana kingdom in the world.
Conferences of this nature will contribute to strengthening a broader foundation in the relationship between and among people around the world.
