One of the largest Buddhist settlements in India is located in Mundgod, home to several Tibetan universities that uphold the Nalanda tradition. Among these are the Ganden, Drepung, and Loseling monasteries, where around 20,000 Buddhist monks study. The International Pali and Sanskrit Bhikku Exchange Programme was inaugurated in Bodh Gaya in 2022 under the patronage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, with the aim of bridging the gap between Buddhist traditions and promoting mutual understanding.
The third phase of this programme commenced in India on 21 December 2024, with participation from Buddhist monks representing Sri Lanka, Tibet, India, Thailand, South Korea, Vietnam, and Bhutan, including 11 monks from Sri Lanka.
The inauguration ceremony of this phase took place on 7 January 2025 at the Ganden Shasthre Bhikku Arama in Karnataka, India. The Chief Guest for the event was the Most Venerable Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Maha Nayaka Thero, Dean of the Pali and Sanskrit Cultural Exchange Centre in Sri Lanka, President of the International Buddhist Confederation in New Delhi, and Maha Nayaka of the Sambuddha Sasanodaya Sangha Sabha.
Following religious activities performed in both Pali and Sanskrit traditions, the welcome speech was delivered by Kensur Rinpoche Lobsang Gyatso, General Secretary of the International Geluk Foundation. During the programme, Dr Damenda Porage, founder of Buddhist Brotherhood and General Secretary of the International Buddhist Confederation, spoke about ongoing efforts to preserve Buddhism.
He recalled a discussion with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Bodh Gaya in 2017, where the importance of uniting Buddhist traditions worldwide to create a new pathway for Buddhism was emphasized. Based on a proposal by His Holiness, the International Bhikku Exchange Programme was initiated, followed by the establishment of the International Pali and Sanskrit Cultural Exchange Centre.
Dr Porage also announced a significant milestone: for the first time, a Tibetan Buddhist monk would serve as a resident monk at the centre to teach Tibetan language and traditions. He further noted that a versatile delegation of Buddhist monks, led by Venerable Niggaha Gnaninda Thero, is participating in this third phase of the programme.
The event was graced by the presence of several esteemed personalities, including the Sangha Nayaka of Dakshina Lanka, Venerable Kosgoda Gnaninda Nayaka Thero; Abhijit Halder, Director General of the International Buddhist Confederation; Kensur Rinpoche Jangchup Choden, General Secretary of the IBC; and Pari Jingpa, the East Asian Coordinator for His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
