Guidance on Traditional Education versus Modern Education, at Sera Je Secondary School, Southern India
At the request of Sera Je Secondary School (of Sera Je Monastery), southern India, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche travelled to the school, from Drepung Monastery, arriving there at around midday of June 13, 2015. 
In celebration of the 80th Birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Sera Je Secondary School has organised a two-days Lecture Series by Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche.
The inaugural session in the morning of June 15, 2015 began with the Representative of the Honourable Abbot of Sera Je Monastery, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, the Director and the Principal of Sera Je Secondary School inviting a photograph of His Holiness the Dalai Lama onto the throne, followed by Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, the Chief Guest, lighting a butter-lamp, thus official opening the event.
There followed, while the ceremonial tea and sweet-rice were served to all by the Organisers, the recital of the extensive prayer requesting His Holiness to kindly live long. A choir of ordained students then chanted Verses of Auspiciousness. The Principal of Sera Je Secondary School gave a welcoming speech, and then a group of senior students of the school presented a discussion on The three altruistic commitments of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche then addressed the gathering, explaining the kindnesses of all previous His Holiness the Dalai Lamas and in particular that of the present His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama; the importance of implementing into daily practice and life the advices by His Holiness, thus becoming the offering of implementation, the best way of delighting one’s Teacher; the three altruistic commitments.
Rinpoche further explained in details that the internal fightings in Tibet, in the past in history, were not caused by spirituality (religion), rather by politics and power struggles.
At the end the Headmaster of the school gave a speech expressing gratitude.Those who attended the inaugural function included the Local Commissioner of Justice (Tibetan Administration-in-Exile), the Heads of the local Settlements, Officials of the local Co-operative Societies, the Representative of the Honourable Abbot of Sera Je Monastery, the Disciplinarian, The Chant-Leader, and many other dignitaries.
During the main Lecture Series, in the first session, the Director of Sera Je Secondary School gave an extensive explanation of the objectives of organising the Lecture Series. Thereafter, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave the first of the lectures, on the requested topics of “Traditional Education and Modern Education”.
Rinpoche explained in great details the understanding of what are meant by “Traditional” and “Modern”; the drawbacks of modernity, the merits of the traditional, the differences between the two, the end results of the two; in particular, how modernity creates the five major inequalities; and other. Rinpoche then touched upon in details on the topic of Traditional Education and Modern Education, and answered the questions from the audience.
After lunch, Rinpoche visited the photographic display of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s biography, orgainsed by Sera Je Secondary School.
In the second session Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave the lecture on the topic of “The subjects and methodology of teachings, in the traditional and modern systems”, followed by questions and answers.
In the morning session of June 16, 2015 Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche explained that the modern Education system is that of globalisation and non-conscientious consumerism, and other details, followed by insights on the requested topic of “Traditional Teacher and Modern Teacher”. Rinpoche answered in details the questions from the students.
Prior to lunch, the teachers and staff members of Sera Secondary School, and the Editorial Board of the school’s literary journal, had group photographs taken with Rinpoche. Likewise, prior to the start of the afternoon session, the students of the school had a group photograph taken with Rinpoche.
In the afternoon session Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave an insightful lecture on the topic of “Traditional Student and Modern Student”, followed by questions and answers.
At the end the Representative of the Honourable Abbot of Sera Je Monastery gave a speech expressing gratitude.
In the evening, as requested by Sera Je Monastery, Rinpoche visited the daily dialectical debates at Sera Je debate-courtyard, and as well as went for a homage visit of the main prayer and gathering hall of Sera Je Monastery. Rinpoche thereafter visited the daily dialectical debates at the debate-courtyard of Sera Je Secondary School.