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A Seminar on Interaction of Buddhism between Nepal and Tibet was for the first time convened for the period of 2 days (May 18-19, 1995) at Blue Star Hotel. The conference was organized by Nagarjuna Institute to explore and deepen the Buddhist relationship between Nepal and Tibet.  A seminar report divided into three segments is as follows:

INAUGURAL SESSION

PRESENTATION SESSION

SEMINAR PAPERS

INAUGURAL SESSION (May 18, 1995)

On May 18-19, 1995 a substantially seminar-cum-workshop on Buddhist Interaction Between Nepal and Tibet was held in Kathmandu as a social programme of Nagarjuna Institute of Exact Method (NIEM). The distinguished participants hailed the event as a very special one and first of its kind ever-held here in Kathmandu. Twenty scholars and seventy-five erudite persons participated in this conference. The conference progressed with the blessings from Ven. Thrangu Rinpoche by offering his prostration to the sacred Buddha image accompanied by chanting and prayer from the monks of Thrangu Tashi Choeling Boudhnath. The Rinpoche is the spiritual director of NIEM.

Mr. Erik translating Ven. Thrangu Rinpoche's Teaching.

After the welcome speech made by Mr. Min Bahadur Shakya the programme director of NIEM the function was formally inaugurated by the Honb'le Minister of Health and Labour Mr. Padma Ratna Tuladhar. Ven. Thrangu Rinpoche spoke to the audience through his interpreter. The opening ceremony was chaired by Dr. Bajra Raj Shakya, a director of NIEM. Among the distinguished scholars form the chairman of Lumbini Development Committee, Mr. Tashi Namgyal Representative of Tibetan Community in Nepal, Dr. Prem Khatry- Director of Center for Nepalese and Asian Studies, CNAS, T. U., Mr. Bhakti Das Shrestha- a senior asst. teacher of Nepal Vipasyana Center and a director of NIEM, the Minister Padma Ratna Tuladhar, Mr. Harihar Raj Joshi, addressed the gathering giving a very high regard to the past masters of Buddhism who virtually transmitted the Dharma across the trans- Himalayan region.

In his welcome speech, Mr. Min Bahadur Shakya pleaded for continual support of Tibetan Dharma masters. Regretting over the degraded immorality among the caretakers of temples and monasteries who have virtually sold the properties of the shrines, he hoped a fresh campaign would awaken the astrayed laymen. He also highlighted the Newar Vajrayana Buddhism practiced in Kathmandu and pointed out it as the only living tradition of Vikramsila and Nalanda- Sanskrit Buddhism arguing it be taken for the same and not as a corrupt form of Vajrayana. Giving credits to various historical events caused the spread of Buddhism in Nepal, Mr. Lok Darshan Bajracharya remarked that several eminent Buddhist scholars and monks take shelter in Kathmandu before moving to Tibet eventually linking Nepal and Tibet for Buddhist interaction. For Mr. Tashi Namgyal, it was very timely seminar. Highlighting the historical ties between Nepal and Tibet, he expressed happiness in making Nepal a second home for him and for other twenty thousand Tibetans living in twenty two districts.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Prem Khatry stressed the need of deep study to be made by Nepalese scholars in order to breach the gap as the studies and researches made by western scholars have not been to extent of full satisfaction. Giving an extra ordinary example of devotion of a Tibetan monk, Mr. Bhakti Das Shrestha highlighted the spiritual capability of the monk who had come to offer his devotion to Swayambhu Nath Stupa in Kathmandu. He had the great and difficult high mountain path by prostrating and it look a little more than four years to reach his destination. He further highlighted the benefits of meditation. Speaking briefly Mr. Padma Ratna Tuladhar stressed the need for a close relation between the Nepali and Tibetan people. Further researches of the past would certainly throw light thereby bringing more intimate relations on the peoples level. While giving vote of thanks, Mr. Harihar Raj Joshi expressed that the Tibetan Buddhism was not only religion but that is was a way of life. Speaking from the chair; Dr. Bajra Raj Shakya informed about the NIEM programmes and said NIEM would organize many such events in the future. With his remarks the days address- proceedings come to an end.

Afterwards the Ven. Thrangu Rinpoche donated books on "Collected works of XVth Karmapa Khakhyab Dorje" to the Nagarjuna Institute Library. After the formal closer of the opening ceremony, lively cultural show was presented. The northern highlanders' pleasing music and attractively fast moving steps displaying a rich musical talent of the northerners. A short stage ballet from Muna- Madan a very popular lyrics work based on folk music by late poet L. P. Devkota was performed. The play highlighted the kindness of a Tibetan couple shown on a poor Nepali who had gone to Lhasa to earn money. A sumptuous dinner capped the seminar of the day one proceedings.

PAPER PRESENTATION SESSION (May 19, 1995)

The paper reading seminar was divided into two sessions although only five papers were to be presented. Since the seminar began at 11.00 AM, it was but to have a break after two hours of busy participation. I looked around the hall: the walls were beautifully and attractively decorated Shakyamuni Buddha image was quite impressive and the mandala just behind the dias looked impressive plus mysterious as well. It was in-fact, a real nice place for such a conference to be held with five paper readers. There were fifty participants among whom few were foreign diplomats too. Prof. Dr. Kamal Prakash Malla (Tribhuwan University) a name widely known among the Nepali Scholars-chaired the first session.

Prof. Kamal Prakash Malla in the center chairing the first session.

Ven. S. Chusang Rinpoche- the Spiritual Advisor, Nepal Buddhist Welfare Association- reading his paper ‘ Impact of Tibetan Buddhism on Himalayan Region’ stated briefly the Buddha’s early life and his first teaching at Deer Park in Sarnath. Highlighting the Tibetan Buddhism, he said,”the Tantric vehicle, or Vajrayana, which is considered by the Tibetan tradition to be the highest vehicle. The Buddhism of Tibet is perhaps the most complete form of Buddhism. It includes all the essential teachings of various traditions of Buddhism that exists in the world today.”

That briefly stating as how Nepali and Tibetan dharma masters did help to establish monasteries and learned tradition, he pointed out the great works of the masters accomplished in the Himalayan regions. Stating in purpose he said, if we do some social welfare such as setting up schools and medical clinics in the remote parts of the Himalayan region….. a very practical thing to do. I personally have a dream of a project which includes a retreat center, primary school and a clinic in the eastern part of Nepal.” He hoped his dream would come true very soon. The paper – after thrown on the floor for discussion- received first remark from Mr. Ramesh Kr. Bajracharya who mentioned the importance of missionary work as started by the Rinpoche. Comparing it to the missionary work being carried out by the Christians in the remote hilly regions of the kingdom he pointed the effectiveness of such program. The next query was put forward by Prof. Saraswoti Prasad Ghimire who commented on the ‘Bodhichita’ or the enlightenment mind. Dr. Malla, form the Chair, attracted the audience towards the statement of the Rinpoche where the Tibetan form of Vajrayana Buddhism was sated as the highest and most complete form of Buddhism.

Reading his paper ‘Nepalese Princess Bhrikuti Devi and her contribution to Tibet’ Mr. Min Bahadur Shakya- the director of NIEM- informed us that the present paper was a part of his research work conducted in 1990 in Lhasa and Bhutan. This paper sought to highlight the historical and cultural role played by Princess Bhrikuti Devi. Introducing the paper he said, “Nepalese Princess Bhrikuti Devi was on of the outstanding stars in the Tibetan society by introducing Buddhist temple, art and Buddha’s religion.” The paper seems to be a tangible work which can pave the way in presenting some of the plausible arguments about her (Bhrikuti Devi) existence and possibility of her marriage relation with the Tibetan King since some native & foreign historians have questioned her existence on the ground that this, a substantially important historical event, was not found inscribed in hitherto found historical inscriptions of the period. But the Tibetan and Chinese sources mention her existence firmly and the historical monuments accredited to her name stand in Tibet as yet. After the elaborate analysis of the issue, the paper was discussed thoroughly in the issue of the Princess’s father.

Answering the querry, Mr. Shakya expressed the difficulty of naming her father with the available documents as more than one name would paper in the scene. Prof. Saraswati Prasad Ghimire’s querry was on the princess’s influence in Kathmandu valley. Mr. Shakya explained that the short period she had in Nepal gave her no chance to display any significance work. He further expressed his hypothesis that Tibet was introduced to Buddhism first from Nepal before Bhrikuti era. Before concluding the session Dr. Malla assessed the paper remarking that the spread of Buddhism in Tibet was in fact based on various sources such as art objects carried by various sorts of travelers. Requesting for the meticulous use of literary sources, he argued for a dispassionate and objective look into the historical events. The Second session held its discussion with Mr. Bihari Krishna Shrestha at the chair who invited the three paper readers at the dias.

Miss Angela Dietrich- a research scholar on Newar Buddhism in Kathmandu- read her paper on ‘Newars and Tibetans in Kathmandu Valley. Pointing out the long sustained interdependence between the Newar Dharma masters and their Tibetan counterparts, she expressed the view that takes Newar Buddhism just a form of Indian Buddhism and cannot be put at par with other forms of Buddhism on the ground that it has a caste system is not justifiable and is a causal system is not justifiable and is a causal observance of outsiders. Hence, she pleaded for a better understanding with deeper study and researches in Kathmandu’s Newar Buddhism which has undoubtedly, been influenced various alien forces in order to be alive at various points of time. Postulating a harmonious relationship between the aforesaid communities, She said, “……Since the influx of Tibetan refugees in 1959 creating a permanent Tibetan presence in the valley, some of it in the midst of older, established Newar settlements, there has been more occasion for close contact and mutual serufing. Thus,  there have been many opportunities for cross- fertilization, especially in the religious fields and in that of partisanship and craftsmanship linked with the expression of Buddhist of Buddhist arthritics and values. In this connection, it is also significant that the Newars began at the turn of the present century, was not exclusively oriented towards Theravada Buddhism. But also towards the partial adoption of Tibetan Buddhism…… For instance, as myself have observed, it has become a more common practice for Newar families on ceremonial occasions to call the Lama for Puja, chanting and a dharma talk, after the family Guruju has performed his rituals. However, there is still some evidence for a wider appreciation of their (Vajracharyas/ Gurujus) tantric powers: for example, recently a British women was said to have sponsored the holding of a rain puja in Shantipur, Swayambhu, by a number of Vajracharyas, to overcome the drought – which obviously was effective !” concluding her paper, she hoped for the dissemination of such powerful tantric heritage before it disappears from the valley.

As the paper was opened for floor discussion, Mr. Lok Darshan Bajracharya put his elaborated comments on the social hierarchy of Newar Buddhism in the valley. Couple of other participants too commented on the aspect of Theravada revivalism getting momentum especially, in the farming communities and the so-called untouchable’ caste in Newar Community.

Mr. Harsha Muni Shakya- an ex- Tibet trader- read his paper ‘Newar’s contribution in Tibet’ in Nepali which was summarized in English by Mr. Ramesh Kumar Bajracharya. His observation while in Tibet made him to believe that in some parts of Tibet between Kyirong and Lhasa there exists a unique Nepali culture, architecture and dharma practice which is fast disappearing from Kathmandu Valley. Mentioning the contribution made by Nepalese merchants in Tibet, he explained the unique Nepalese Buddhist festivals observed in various business centers in Tibet. These festivals are equally well observed by the Tibetans as well which indicates a harmonious existence at people’s level and concluding his saying hoping a better haven for those Nepali merchants still trading in Tibet. Since Mr. Shakya personal experience were expressed in the discussion, hence academic exploration was seconded. His lively descriptions of monasteries, monks, Nepali traders and their life and business, spell bound the audience.

Mr. Ramesh Kumar Bajracharya – the last speaker in the final session – read his paper entitled ‘Nepal- Tibet Buddhist Relation : a Historical perspective’. His paper highlighted the various causes to spread Buddhism in Nepal and Tibet and the mutual relationship the Dharma caused then. In his talk the early medieval period Buddhist masters great work in Kathmandu and Tibet was well documented. Highlighted the relationship, he said, “The third important aspect of Nepal Tibet relation from ancient time has been the trade relation. After the Mughal war in 1639 AD with Ladakh cuts off Indo- Tibetan trade through Kashmir, all transactions shifted of Patan- Nepal Lhasa route which consolidated the trade of Nepal with Tibetan bringing further more prosperity to Kathmandu.’ Since his war the topic already exhaustively discussed, so the floor discussion was mostly concerned about his oral presentation on present day moral values and attitude in lay Buddhist. His observation were based on personal witness at various places since in India and in Nepal. Hot discussions in the floor raised questions about the standard and level of education being provided at monasteries.

Before bringing the session to a formal closer the chairperson expressed his view on the papers. His general view stated the need of new approach in disseminating Buddhist teaching based on practical approach which was also a motto in Ven. Chusang Rinpoche’s talk. After the formal closer of the two day seminar the participants were invited to visit the II International Buddhist Book Exhibition being held at Royal Nepal Academy Hall commencing from 19^th May for five days.

Seminar Papers

First Session (from 11 AM to 1 PM)

Chairman: Prof. Kamal Prakash Malla

Papers:

Impact of Tibetan Buddhism on Himalayan Region - Ven. Chusang Rinpoche

Life and Contribution of Nepalese Princess Bhrikuti Devi  - Min Bahadur Shakya

Second Session (from 2 PM to 4 PM)

Chairman: Mr. Bihari Krishna Shrestha

Papers:

Newars and Tibetans in the Kathmandu Valley - Dr. Angele Deitrich

Nepal Tibet Relation: A Historical Perspective - Mr. Ramesh Bajracharya

Nepal Tibet Relation (in Nepali) - Mr. Harsamuni Shakya

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