Entry By Invitation Only

CONCEPT NOTE

On the landmark occasion of the 90^th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and in particular felicitation of the blessings of his presence on Indian soil since the last 75 years, the International Buddhist Confederation is greatly honoured to organise a conference, “Celebrating Glorious 90 years of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama - Spiritual Wisdom and Global Relevance” on 13 July 2025 at The Ashok, New Delhi.

The contributions of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to India, the Buddhist population across the globe and indeed, the whole world, are innumerable. A resident of India since 1959, His Holiness the Dalai Lama self-identifies as a “son of India”, articulating that his mind is entirely suffused with the teachings of the great Nalanda Tradition, and his body sustained by simple Indian cuisine. Be it globally or to audiences within the country, he never misses an opportunity to extol the virtues of ancient Indian wisdom traditions, and the evergreen values of ahimsa (non-violence) and karuna (compassion), holding up India as a role model for the troubled contemporary world, in terms of its sophisticated treatises on wisdom and how to cultivate mental hygiene, and its peaceful nurturing of people of different faiths and identities. In this sense, His Holiness has been an ambassador extraordinaire for India, its indigenous knowledge systems, and its age-old values.

The 14th Dalai Lama is also a deeply revered personage across Buddhist countries and communities, perceived as the living manifestation of the Buddha of Compassion and the foremost holder in the world today of the Nalanda Tradition. In contemporary times, no single figure has done as much to revive the flourishing of Buddhism and Buddhist institutions in the Himalayan region, guiding them on how to revivify their dharma study and practice; to see the Pali and Sanskrit traditions as complementary, and foster a deep bridging conversation between the two; to attract the devout from across East and Southeast Asia for his discourses and teachings, and to spread the teachings in the Western world.

In today’s troubled times, His Holiness has earned his place as a truly global icon for a non-violent approach; as a man of unbiased and unconditional love; and as a believer in the truth. Upholding these values throughout his life and the most challenging circumstances have made his very name synonymous with compassion. The unparalleled stature and unanimous respect across the globe for His Holiness is evident in his being honoured with over 150 significant awards by various countries and universities, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, felicitated the world over time and again for his contributions as an esteemed leader with a vision and message of non-violence, peace and compassion that resonates with all.

International Buddhist Confederation is pleased to organize panel discussions on the following three important topics.

PANEL 1 - The Spiritual Teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama: Relevance in the 21st Century

The 14th Dalai Lama is acknowledged as the preeminent and highly esteemed Buddhist figure globally. In the contemporary world, there is a pressing need for advocates of peace, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama has committed himself to this cause, living it as an exemplar in our violent age. His pledge involves serving all of humanity by guiding individuals towards alleviating their suffering and achieving lasting happiness through the cultivation of wisdom, unconditional love and compassion. In his own words, the profound teachings of the Indian Nalanda masters have much to offer the world, by way of providing a ‘map of the mind’ and techniques to practice mental hygiene. The Dalai Lama's message of cultivating a good heart and fundamental human values, such as compassion and tolerance, based on understanding our interdependence, goes beyond all boundaries of religion, politics, and culture.

PANEL 2 - Quantum Physics, Neuroscience and Buddhism

His Holiness has famously said that Buddhism can be categorised into three parts: Science, Philosophy and Religion, and that of these, the last is a matter for personal practice, but the first two are of great interest to any thinking mind. Paraphrasing the famous verse of Buddha Shakyamuni, where he exhorts his followers to test his words and not accept them out of blind faith, just as one tests gold by rubbing and polishing it, the Dalai Lama initiated a 35-year and counting conversation between Buddhism and Science – Physics, Neuroscience and many other disciplines – that formally took the shape of the Mind and Life Dialogues. In personally presiding over international dialogues with scientists for decades, to unearth areas of convergence and mutual learning and bidding adieu to ideas that did not bear up to scientific scrutiny, for example, the cosmology of the world being different to that set out in the texts, the Dalai Lama opened up many frontiers of research on both sides.

PANEL 3 - The Future of Tibetan Buddhism and the Preservation of Culture

Buddhism has a global following close to half a billion people. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama represents a highly revered lineage which provides spiritual leadership for the people of Tibet and for followers of Buddhism across the world. His Holiness is revered in Tibetan Buddhism as the reincarnation of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, who embodies the infinite mercy of all the Buddhas. Believed to return lifetime after lifetime to guide sentient beings, His Holiness carries forward this sacred legacy of selfless service and spiritual wisdom. It is on this global stage of moral leadership that the modern institution of the Dalai Lama now sits, and from which it continues to provide a spiritual compass for those of faith around the world. Tibetan Buddhism and culture, given its root in the Indian Nalanda tradition based on human intellectual rigour, finds its place in universities and institutions for extensive studies and research by scholars across the globe.

Expected Outcome

The conference on His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s enduring legacies serves as a profound testament to his unparalleled stature and the multifaceted impact of his contributions across spiritual, scientific, and cultural domains. It underscores the ongoing and increasing relevance of his legacies in navigating the complexities of the 21st century. This includes the practical applications of his spiritual teachings for mental well-being, a sophisticated "map of the mind" for contemporary psychological challenges. It also highlights the pioneering model of interdisciplinary dialogue with science, fostering mutual learning and opening new frontiers of research. Furthermore, the strategic preservation of Tibetan culture through rigorous intellectual engagement ensures the vitality of a profound wisdom tradition for generations to come.

Ultimately, this conference is positioned not merely as a commemorative event, but as a catalyst for continued dialogue, deeper learning, and the active application of His Holiness' universal message, ensuring his legacy continues to inspire and guide future generations towards a more compassionate, wise, and peaceful world.

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