BYLAKUPPE: The President of the Central Tibetan Administration Dr Lobsang Sangay today spoke about the importance of combining modern education with the rich spiritual knowledge of ancient India to acquire an all encompassing, holistic education.
He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of IGNOU’s special study center at Sera Jey monastery. The function was attended by abbots and Geshes of various monasteries, members of Tibetan Parliament, settlement officers, the Chief Representative of Southern Tibetan settlements along with local Tibetan public.
Khenpo Tenzin Choesang Rinpoche of Sera Jey Monastery gave the welcome remarks of the function. He thanked IGNOU for establishing the special study center in the monastery to provide easy access to modern education for its resident monks and the local Tibetan public.
President Dr Lobsang Sangay, in his address, underlined hard work and dedication as the key to achieving success, and briefly narrated the struggles and effort of the older generation of the Tibetan people.
“Starting from the days in Buxar, the foundation of the Tibetan community in exile is laid brick by brick with the hard work and sacrifices of the older generation. We should always be grateful to their sacrifices,” he said.
Speaking about the importance of education, Dr Sangay said: “We Tibetans have immersed ourselves in the rich spiritual knowledge of ancient India. Now it’s time to combine modern education with the spiritual knowledge to let Buddhist philosophies flourish throughout the world.”
He also advised the lay people to study Buddhist texts and philosophy, explaining that most of the monks these days are equipped with double degrees of modern education and spiritual knowledge, thanks to centres of learning such as IGNOU.
Dr Sangay also thanked all the people behind the successful opening of IGNOU special study center at Sera Jey monastery and said that from this study center, Buddhism will travel all over the world.
President Dr Sangay with abbots and monks of Sera monastery in Bylakuppe. Photo/Tenzin Phende/DIIR
Monks and local Tibetan public at the inauguration of IGNOU special study center at Sera Jey monastery. Photo/Tenzin Phende/DIIR