Nalanda Diary
Quarterly Newsletter of Nalanda University, Bihar, India
School of Buddhist Studies, Philosophy and Comparative Religions | SBSPCR
School of Buddhist Studies, Philosophy and Comparative Religions | SBSPCR
Ven. Dr Pooja Dabral
Assistant Professor
Publications
- Research Paper titled “Buddhism and Business Ethics: Integrating Ancient Wisdom with Modern Corporate Practice.” in Pandikattu, K. (2025). Inclusive Spirituality and Ethical Leadership: Reimagining Business and Society for Our Collective Flourishing. Written Words/XLRI. Delhi/Jamshedpur. 2025.
Paper Presentations
- Delivered a lecture on “Traditions of Buddhist Texts in Several Languages of the World (Euro-American Translations)” at the Six-Day Hybrid Training-cum-Workshop on Testing & Evaluation and Item Writing in Maithili, organised by National Testing Service-India, CIIL, Mysuru in collaboration with Nalanda University, Rajgir, 26 September 2025.
- Delivered a presentation on “Nalanda Insights for East Asia–India, Sustainable Development Model” at the Nalanda Special Panel, EAS Conclave of Heads of Higher Education Institutions & EAS Knowledge Exchange Workshop on Energy Efficiency Policies and Programs – Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE), organised by Nalanda University, Rajgir, 19 September 2025.
- Presented a paper on “Nālandā and its Global Impact: Repatriation of Indian Manuscripts – Preserving Heritage, Restoring Identity” at Gyan Bhāratam: International Conference on Reclaiming India’s Knowledge Legacy through Manuscript Heritage, organised by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, 11 September 2025.
- Invited as Distinguished Speaker, to Deliver Talk titled “The Four Commitments of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and their Global Relevance” at Yarchos Chenmo International Conference – 2025, organized by Summer Philosophical Symposium & Cultural Welfare Society, Ladakh. July 2025.
- Delivered Lecture: “The Path to Awakening: Ācārya Kamalaśīla’s Exposition of Meditation” at Buddha Jayanti – Indian Contemplative Traditions: Textual, Soteriological and Comparative Insights’, organised by Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR) and Nalanda University, Rajgir. September, 2025.
- Delivered a lecture on “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) with its ‘Can-do Descriptors’” at the Six-Day Hybrid Training-cum-Workshop on Testing & Evaluation and Item Writing in Maithili, organised by National Testing Service-India, CIIL, Mysuru and Nalanda University, Rajgir, Bihar, 5–10 August 2025.
Dr. Pranshu Samdarshi
Assistant Professor
Debate Society Event Coordination
August 26 & August 30, 2025
- As Faculty In-Charge of the Nalanda Debate Society, Dr. Pooja Dabral coordinated the Inter-School Perspective Debate Workshop and Competition at Nalanda University on the theme “Traditional & Modern Paradigms: Clash or Convergence?” The event featured engaging discussions on subthemes such as Grihastha Ideals, Commerce and Ethics, Women’s Agency, and Ethical Governance.
- Participants explored whether traditional wisdom and modern thought stand in opposition or can converge meaningfully to shape contemporary society. The sessions showcased exceptional articulation, analytical depth, and the vibrant spirit of academic exchange that defines Nalanda University.
Chanting Club had a session at Griddhakuta, Rajgir
September 7, 2025
- As Faculty In-Charge of the Nalanda Chanting Club, Dr. Pranshu coordinated a trip to Griddhakūṭa Hill and led a Heart Sūtra chanting session, providing students experiential engagement with Buddhist practice and its intangible spiritual heritage.
International Conference on Manuscript Heritage, Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi
September 11, 2025
- At Gyan Bhāratam: International Conference on Reclaiming India’s Knowledge Legacy, Dr. Samdarshi presented a paper on AI-driven recovery and translation of Nalanda manuscripts preserved in Tibetan collections.
Lectures on Himalayan Buddhism
Indian Army, Clement Town, Dehradun
September 18–19, 2025
- Dr. Samdarshi delivered five lectures in the program “Himalayan Buddhism: Indic Foundations of Tibet and China,” discussing the transmission of Indic ideas and the Himalayan region’s role as a conduit of Buddhist exchange.
India–Bhutan Youth Friendship Camp of OTA, Gaya at Nalanda, September 13, 2025
- Dr. Samdarshi delivered a talk on “Nalanda Spirit: Bridging India and Bhutan’s Buddhist Traditions,” emphasizing enduring philosophical linkages and Nalanda’s historical role in fostering spiritual diplomacy.
August 30, 2025
Panel on Indo-Tibetan Linkages HQ Central Command, Lucknow
- Participated in a panel discussion and presented a talk on “Reviving the Indo-Tibetan Linkages”, exploring historical, cultural, and spiritual ties between India and Tibet and their relevance in current geopolitical contexts.
Lectures on Himalayan Geostrategic at PerspectivesHQ Eastern Command, Tenga,
August 7–8, 2025
- Delivered a series of four lectures for the Himalayan Geostrategic Course organised by HQ Eastern Command, focusing on the Buddhist cultural continuum of the Himalayas and its significance in India’s strategic and civilisational framework.
Buddha Jayanti Lecture and Workshop
September 1, 2025
- Presented a paper on “Contemplative Tradition and Philosophical Vision” examining the Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta within Mahāyāna Buddhism, highlighting continuities in meditative and philosophical traditions.
Geshe Lungtok Sherap
Teaching Associate
- Delivered a distinguished talk titled “Cultivating Wisdom to Remedy Afflictions” in the presence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the KarGon Yarchos Chenmo International Conference 2025, Leh, Ladakh (July 22, 2025).
- Spoke on “Translation Traditions of Buddhist Texts (Asian Translations)” at the One-Week Translation Workshop, jointly organized by Nalanda University and the National Translation Mission, CIIL Mysore (September 24, 2025).
- Presented a lecture on “Śamatha, Vipaśyanā, and Tantric Visualization in Mahāyāna Buddhism” during the Buddha Jayanti Symposium, Nalanda University (September 2025).
Dr. Rajeshwar Mukherjee
Teaching Fellow
Invited Lectures, September 29–30, 2025
- Delivered two invited lectures at the Department of Yogic Science, Gurukula Kangri (Deemed to be University), Haridwar.
ICPR Lecture Series,
Deepening the Buddhist Discourse at SBSPCR
The School of Buddhist Studies, Philosophy & Comparative Religion (SBSPCR) continues to nurture critical inquiry and philosophical depth through its monthly ICPR (Indian Council of Philosophical Research) Lecture Series—an initiative designed to bring eminent scholars and practitioners into dialogue with students and faculty.
On August 13, 2025, the School hosted an insightful lecture by Venerable Geshe Dorji Damdul, Director of Tibet House, New Delhi, who explored the groundbreaking contributions of Nālandā masters Dignāga and Dharmakīrti to the fields of epistemology and logic. This was followed by the Buddha Jayanti Distinguished Lecture on September 4, 2025, delivered by Professor Siddharth Singh, Vice Chancellor of Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, on “Insights on the Science of Consciousness: Buddhist Meditation through the Abhidhamma Lens.”
The ICPR Lecture Series has emerged as a vital academic platform that encourages students to engage deeply with classical Buddhist philosophy, comparative thought and contemporary applications of ancient wisdom. These intellectually enriching sessions not only strengthen the University’s ties with leading institutions but also foster reflective thinking and research excellence among Nalanda’s students, reviving the true essence of the Nālandā tradition of dialogue and discernment.
