The Tibetan Buddhism College is located in Nyethang Township, Chushur County, Lhasa in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Photo shows a panoramic view of the Tibetan Buddhism College.[Photo/Tibet United Front]

The Second Seminar on New Interpretations of Tibetan Buddhism convened at the Tibetan Buddhism College. Participants discussed theses from the five sects of Tibetan Buddhism, and researched ways to adapt Tibetan Buddhism to the socialist society from June 23 to 24.

Party General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out at the recent Central United Front Work Conference that religion should be guided to adapt to the socialist society and strive to serve promoting economic development, social harmony, cultural prosperity, national unity, and national unification.

Drukhang Thubten Khedrup, president of the Tibet Branch of Buddhist Association of China and dean of the Tibetan Buddhism College, delivered the opening speech on behalf of the Tibetan Buddhism College.

In his speech, he stressed the importance of guiding the adaption of Tibetan Buddhism to the socialist society and improving the level of Tibetology research. He called on the masses of religious people to join hands in undertaking this historic mission, to consciously uphold the integration of the motherland and ethnic unity, and to make greater contributions to Tibet’s leapfrog economic development and lasting social stability.

In his published thesis, he made a comparative research on the Dharma and core values of socialism , and point out that the effective way for a qualified disciple to carry on the Tibetan Buddhist doctrines and ideology.

This particular seminar received a total of 47 theses, which involved the five major sects of Tibetan Buddhism, namely Gelug, Nyingma, Sakya, Kagyu and Kadam . Two of the theses came from leaders of the Tibetan Buddhism College, five from sutra teachers, and 40from students.

The theses are focused on the three monastic precepts of “renouncement, determination and wisdom”, with the themes of cherishing all sentient life, relying on the mentor, and promoting the spirit of compassion. They gave new interpretations of the religious doctrine by fully exploiting the positive factors of Tibetan Buddhism, carrying on the Tibetan Buddhist traditions of “patriotism, abiding by the law, abandoning the evil and promoting the good spirits and deeds, advocating harmony, and praying for peace”, and citing the classic Buddhist scriptures and the maxim of eminent monks, in accordance with the requirements of the times and social progress.

Activities during the two-day seminar included thesis exchange, recognizing award-winning theses, and issuing letters of appointment to guest professors to the Tibetan Buddhism College.

After the seminar, the collection of theses will be edited and published. Thirty-two experts and leaders from the China Tibetology Research Center, the High-level Tibetan Buddhism College of China, Academy of Social Sciences of Tibet, and other scientific research institutes were invited to attend the seminar.