Darjeeling: The Northeast Tibetan Schools Dialectic Meet, organised by the Department of Education (CTA), began on 25 September 2024 and will continue until 1 October 2024, at Tashiling Cooperative Hall in Sonada Tibetan Settlement, Darjeeling.
The opening ceremony was presided by chief guest Khen Rinpoche Jampa Palden Sangpo of Guru Sakya Monastery, along with special guest Dorje Rigzin, Chief Representative Officer for the Northeast, the Chairman of Sonada Cooperative, and the Principal of Sonada Sambhota School.
Ngodrup Tenpa, the Education Officer of the Department of Education, commenced the ceremony with a brief overview of the history and background of the Dialectic meet. He noted that the event includes participation from four schools in Nepal and four Sambhota schools from the Northeast region, with a total of 90 students and 8 teachers, bringing the total to 98 participants.
A Buddhist philosophy teacher from Namgyal Higher Secondary School, representing the participating Buddhist philosophy teachers, discussed the historical roots of dialectic practice, originally studied by monks in Tibet. After Tibet’s political upheaval and exile to India, His Holiness the Dalai Lama extended the study of logical reasoning to nuns and later to students in schools. The teacher highlighted the value of dialectic for making informed decisions by understanding perspectives, rather than engaging in unnecessary arguments. He also noted the benefits of students learning from various teachers and exchanging experiences with peers during the meet.
Special guest Dorje Rigzin, the Chief Representative Officer of Northeast, highlighted the lifelong benefits of dialectic practice in his address. He urged them to make the most of their time and educational opportunities, reminding them of their responsibility as Tibetan students to contribute to the reclamation of their homeland through education and the Middle Way Approach.
Khen Rinpoche Jampa Palden Sangpo, the chief guest, emphasised the importance of dialectic practice, praising the students’ current understanding and encouraging further improvement. He explained that dialectic is crucial for expanding one’s knowledge and enhancing reasoning capabilities that is valuable for everyone, not just religious scholars. He credited the success of its introduction in schools to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s benevolence, the dedication of philosophy teachers, and students’ efforts. Khen Rinpoche stressed that dialectic sharpens critical thinking and decision-making, advising students to study with sincerity and avoid using their skills for arguments or deception, but for personal growth and societal benefit.
The ceremony concluded with Ngodrup Tenpa, the Education Officer, expressing gratitude to the chief guest, other guests, representatives from Sonada Cooperative, and all participants.
