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GU to offer prog of learning in Nalanda tradition

| DECEMBER 12, 2019, 04:03 AM IST

the goan I network

PANAJI

The Goa University will soon offer programmes of advanced learning in the Nalanda tradition, Vice-Chancellor of the University Prof Varun Sahni announced on Wednesday at the Kala Academy, while speaking ahead of the lecture given by the Dalai Lama.   

Sahni announced that the GU had on Tuesday, December 10, signed an MoU with the Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, a non-profit organization established with the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the 14th Dalai Lama exactly 30 years ago.   

Sahni said that the formal relationship of co-operation and friendship with the Foundation was intended to support the GU in establishing programmes of advanced study in the Nalanda tradition. “Specifically, we have agreed to establish the Dalai Lama chair for Nalanda studies at the GU under the visiting research professors programme,” he added.   

Explaining the importance of the Nalanda tradition, Sahni said that for seven centuries, from the 5th century of the Common Era, the Mahavihar at Nalanda was “not only a repository of 

ancient wisdom, but also the site of a unique method of teaching-learning that we desperately need in India 

today.”   

DALAI LAMA CHAIR
The Dalai Lama chair under Nalanda Studies will focus on the study of wisdom, or sutra, and method/practice aspects of an ancient tradition under the umbrella of a modern Indian university, explained the Goa University VC Prof Varun Sahni
He added that apart from didactic studies of the Nalanda texts, the GU’s initial phase of co-operation would also encompass meditation and training of the mind, logic and debate, Buddhist metaphysics, conflict resolution and peace studies, and gender studies
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