Itanagar, Dec 3 (UNI) Scholars and delegates from India and across the world have converged in Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang for the first-ever International Conference on the Cultural and Historical Significance of His Holiness the Sixth Dalai Lama, Gyalwa Tsangyang Gyatso, being held from December 3 to 6 at Kalawangpo Convention Hall.
Inaugurating the four-day conference, state Chief Minister Pema Khandu said that while the Sixth Dalai Lama is widely remembered for his poetry, his deep spiritual, cultural and philosophical legacy remains less understood. He expressed hope that the conference would help create a clearer, well-researched understanding of the life and timeless relevance of the Dalai Lama, who was born in Tawang in 1683.
The programme began with a sacred Mandala offering, followed by the keynote address of Venerable Yangteng Rinpoche, Secretary, Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Scholars from prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, University of Michigan, Florida State University, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, CIHTS Sarnath, LTWA Dharamsala and others are participating in the conference.
The event is being jointly organised by the Department of Karmik and Adhyatmik Affairs, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, Thubten Shedrubling Foundation, and the Centre for Cultural Research and Documentation (CCRD). Cultural tribute performances by artists from Switzerland, Dharamshala and Tawang will also mark the occasion.
The conference aims to highlight the unique contribution of the Sixth Dalai Lama to Tibetan literature and spirituality, and reaffirm Tawang's significance as a centre of trans-Himalayan Buddhist heritage.
UNI TD SSP