Exploring life and legacy of Second Buddha

Centre for Escalation of Peace (CEP), India International Centre (IIC) and Sahapedia are organising a two-day conference on the rich tradition and legacy associated with Guru Padmasambhava, one of the most revered and iconic figure for Buddhists today.

The conference, titled 'Life and Legacy of Guru Padmasambhava', will be held on January 29-30 at IIC in New Delhi. The event will bring together some of the most distinguished scholars from India, Nepal and Bhutan, who will retrace aspects of the Guru's life and will highlight the contemporary relevance of the Guru's teachings as well as the rich, diverse tradition associated with the 8th century Rinpoche. The conference is slated to be one of the events celebrating the 50 years of diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan.

Amb. Shyam Saran, Life Trustee of the IIC, said "Guru Padmasambhava is known as the Second Buddha because he played a seminal role in spreading Buddhism and Buddhist teachings across the Himalayan region, including Northeast India, Nepal, Bhutan and, Tibet." N N Vohra, President of the IIC, will inaugurate the event. The keynote address will be delivered by Dasho Karma Ura, President of Centre for Bhutan Studies and credited with developing the Himalayan country's Gross National Happiness concept. Other speakers include accomplished Buddhist practitioners such as Mingyur Rinpoche, Neten Chockling Rinpoche and distinguished scholars such as Wangchuk Dorjee Negi, Karma Phuntsho and Ian Baker.

The conference is open to the public and will be documented.

Arun Kapur, Director of Centre for Escalation of Peace, said, "Guru Padmasambhava undertook many travels across India, Bhutan, Tibet and Nepal. A study into his travels demonstrates his ability to contextualize and localize his message, taking into account the particularities of place and sensibilities of the people. Guru Rinpoche found a way to celebrate our individual differences in our shared commonalities. That is why, in addition to bringing into focus the contemporary relevance of his teachings and the rich and diverse tradition associated with him, this conference is dedicated to the 50 years of diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan."

The conference will be accompanied by an exhibition of rare thangka paintings, sculptures and photographs associated with the sage. Exhibits have been loaned by both individuals and organisations, including from His Majesty's Secretariat, Bhutan, Tibet House, Delhi, the Palpung Sherabling Monastery, Library of Tibetan Works and Archives and Tsurphu Labrang. The exhibition, to be mounted at the IIC art gallery, will be on from January 29 until February 3.

Conference sessions will range from the local contexts associated with Guru Padmasambhava, texts and commentaries, to the ritual practices, mandalas and iconography that are central to Vajrayana Buddhism.