Dharamshala: The Department of Education (DoE) of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) commenced the Dharamshala and Mussoorie Cluster Dialectic Meet for Tibetan schools in the two hill towns of northern India, scheduled from 17 to 24 August 2026, at the College for Higher Tibetan Studies (CHTS), Sarah.
The opening ceremony was attended by Karma Choeying, Secretary of the DoE, along with the Principal and Vice-Principal of CHTS, Sarah, and Ngodup Tenpa, Education Officer (Traditional) of the Academic Section, DoE. The seminar brought together a total of 129 participants, comprising 15 Philosophy teachers and 114 students from 15 different schools.
At the outset of the ceremony, Education Officer Ngodup Tenpa gave a brief introduction to the origin and development of the DoE’s dialectics programmes, highlighting its outcomes and outlining future expectations for the programme.
Addressing the gathering, Principal of CHTS Passang Tsering expressed concern that policies imposed by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in Tibet are increasingly disrupting the preservation and study of the Tibetan language and culture. He noted that opportunities for Tibetan children in Tibet to learn their own language and culture are becoming increasingly limited.
He observed that the preservation of Tibetan culture has become increasingly critical and noted that monastic institutions remain the primary custodians of Tibetan Buddhist culture and learning, while relatively few members of the wider Tibetan community are taking up this responsibility.
He further highlighted that the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics and CHTS, Sarah, have jointly organised various programmes, including Tibetan language courses, teacher training, and staff training workshops, aimed at preserving and promoting the Tibetan language and culture. He also provided an overview of the admission process, teacher training, staff workshops, and other educational opportunities available at CHTS, Sarah, for those interested in pursuing further studies.
Following this, Secretary Karma Choeying delivered the inaugural address to the participants. He stated that the opportunity to study dialectics at the primary-school level exists largely due to the astute guidance of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, whose repeated emphasis on the importance of teaching dialectics has encouraged the DoE and schools to strengthen their efforts in this field.
He described dialectics as a unique field of Tibetan knowledge and reasoning that broadens understanding and deepens comprehension across different subjects. Amid growing challenges to the Tibetan language and culture inside Tibet, he urged continued efforts, quoting that Tibetans must “prepare for the worst while hoping for the best.” He also praised the students’ enthusiasm for Dialectics and encouraged them to maintain the same interest and dedication in other areas of study.
Concluding the ceremony, Secretary Tenzin Minlay of CHTS, Sarah, expressed gratitude to the chief guest, speakers, philosophy teachers, and participating students for their presence and contributions. She formally brought the inaugural ceremony to a close.
