The Southeast Asia Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Buddhist Centre Singapore, in collaboration with the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, Varanasi, and International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) are jointly organized three-day Pali and Sanskrit International Bhikkhu Exchange Program (PSIBEP) at the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies from 26th to 28th December, 2025.

The opening ceremony of the conference held at the Atisha Hall of the Institute and was presided over by the Prof. Dr. Wangchuk Dorjee Negi, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of the Institute, Prof. Ven. Homagama Dhammananda Nayaka Thero, Vice Chancellor, Buddhist Pali University, Sri Lanka, Ven. Mahathero Revata Bhante, Former General Secretary of Maha Bodhi Society of India, Shri Pari Jinpa Gyatso, Coordinator, Southeast Asia, Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Ven. Khemachara Bhikkhu, Deputy General Secretary, International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) and eminent professor from BHU, Sampurnanada Sanskrit University, and senior Buddhist monks from Buddhist Viharas at Sarnath and more than 70 monks from Thailand, Sri Lanka, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, and the Tibetan traditions.

This program closely aligns with the vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to promote harmony, dialogue, and mutual understanding among diverse world traditions. It brings together senior monks, scholars, and practitioners from various Buddhist traditions and serves as a vital platform for strengthening scholarly and spiritual exchange among Buddhist monastic communities.

The participants of the Pali and Sanskrit International Bhikkhu Exchange Program (PSIBEP) undertook an academic visit to the Institute’s Research Departments, the Shantarakshita Library, and the Sowa Rigpa (Tibetan Medicine) Departments. The visit provided the participants with an opportunity for scholarly engagement and academic exploration, offering insights into ongoing research activities, classical manuscript collections, and traditional systems of Tibetan medical knowledge system. Some glimpses from the occasion.

On the second day of Pali and Sanskrit International Bhikkhu Exchange Program, students of the CIHTS presented a debate on Abhidharma according to the Tibetan tradition in the fourth technical session before 56 Bhikkhu participants from Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos.

Shastrartha (debate) holds a special place in India's learning tradition. It helps students memorize scriptures, grasp subjects thoroughly, and understand logic and its rules. Debate is a crucial part of the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies' curriculum. On this occasion, the Bhikshu Sangha also recited sutras for world peace, following the Pali and Sanskrit traditions of Buddhist philosophy.