At the Geluk special General Conference
Starting from 11 June 2016, for three days there took place a Geluk special General Conference, with His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche as the main Advisor guiding it.
At the inaugural session, convened in the vihara-Temple of Gadhen Trithok-khang (Gadhen Tripa Throne-Holder House), and organised by Geluk International Foundation, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave an extensive guidance talk on the theme of “His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s thoughts concerning the monastic Seats (monastic universities).”
His Eminences Gadhen Tri Rinpoche and Sharpa Choejey Rinpoche as well addressed the meet.
In the afternoon His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche continued with the remainder of guidance on “His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s thoughts concerning the monastic Seats (monastic universities).”
Stemming from the guidance talk by Rinpoche at the inaugural session and further guidance talk in the afternoon that day, as regards His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s thoughts concerning the monastic Seats, there took place active discussions, by the participants of the Conference, on these agenda:
1. Setting up of Teachers’ Training Programme for Geshe Lharampa graduates, for them to teach in accordance with needs of place and time, in their making flourish forth the Buddhist teachings, and also to initiate programmes of languages and other related fields with that.
2. The scholars from the monastic Seats to do specialised research studies on psychology (study of mind), physics, biology, explained in Buddhist texts and teachings, and thereby to be able to do comparative studies with modern science.
On 12 June 2016, for the entire day the Conference discussed the remainder of the agenda:
3. In addition to the studies on Perfection of Wisdom and The Middle View, which are already in the monastic syllabus of studies, there needs to be making the monastic scholars familiar with the major classical Indian Buddhist commentarial texts, such as, The Five Texts of Maitreya; The Six Texts on Middle View Reasoning; etc.
4. To maintain without decline the ongoing important Science Study programme being run in each monastic colleges.
5. The general administrative body of Geluk Association, and the individual monastic Seats and monastic learning centres to make contact with universities in India and abroad, to initiate collaborative teaching/academic programmes.
6. To set a uniform guideline of attending to the situations and providing facilities for scholars from Himalayan regions, Mongolia, central and south India, in the exile monastic Seats and monastic learning centres.
7. To discuss means of improving studies in the monastic seats and monastic learning centres, and to present to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the means discussed and the resolution to implement accordingly.
8. As regards recognising of Tulkus (Re-incarnate Teachers), to discuss whether or not there have been implementation of the rules of the general Geluk Association. And to discuss how to implement the advice as regards this from His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
9. The ways of creating conducive environment and providing facilities to lay people – male and female – wanting to study Buddhist path of reasoning (philosophy) to be able to participate with the monastic ordained scholars in the dialectical debates.
10. Ways of making become efficient the works at Gadhen Trithok-khang (Gaden Tripa Throne-Holder House) the headquarters of managing Geluk Administration; to promulgate The Guidelines to be followed by all its officials; to have an educated, efficient and dedicated Secretary, for Gadhen Trithok-khang; ways of making the present Geluk International Foundation standing to international standards, in all its spheres: objectives, nature, functions, etc. With slight modification to the agenda discussed thus, resolutions were passed on them.
In discussing the above agenda, where the participants of the Conference needed clarification, and on the questions raised, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave explanations and answers in between.
Also, at the concluding session Rinpoche gave an extensive address. His Eminences Gaden Tri Rinpoche and Sharpa Choejey Rinpoche as well gave concluding words of advice.
Participating in the special Geluk Conference were the Honourable Abbots and Abbot-Representatives of the three major monastic universities, the two Tantric Monasteries, Tashilhunpo, Namgyal Dratsang, Rato Monastery, their administrative officials, and the staff members of Geluk International Foundation.