Nalanda Diary

Dean:

Prof Godabarisha Mishra

Publications

• Edited the Journal of Holistic Science Research Institute Theme Holistic Vision Integral Living (Vol. IX, July 2024). Published in June 2025.

• Submitted an edited volume titled “Collected Papers of Professor V. Swaminathan,” which is being published by the Indian Council of Philosophical Research, New Delhi.

• Published the paper titled “Philosophy as a Critique of Experience, Indian Perspectives” Journal of Holistic Science Research Institute, Surat, pp. 226-238.

• Submitted a research paper titled, “Integrating Yuṣmad with Asmad Rethinking Advaitic Paradigm of Social Liberation” (accepted for publication in the IKS Volume Nana Pathah Research Trends in Indian Knowledge Systems).

Conferences/ Invited Lectures:

• Delivered the Valedictory address and a few lectures on Central Teachings of the Buddha at a National Workshop on Traditional Indian Knowledge Systems (TIKS) to held at St. Joseph’s College, Jakhama, Nagaland from 29th June – 5th July, 2025.

• Organised and directed a National Seminar on “Echoes of the Self: Contemporary Reflections on Indian Spiritual Masters (June 9–11, 2025) organized by HSRC Surat and presented the Concept note on the above theme.

• Delivered a lecture on “Gautama Buddha: A Life of Peace and Mindfulness, in One one-day webinar at the Department of Philosophy, MJ College Jalgaon on May 12, 2025

• Presided over a session and presented a paper on “Indian Materialism” in a ICPR National Seminar on “Indian Materialism in the Broader Context of Indian Spirituality, Shyamaprasad Mukherjee College, Delhi University. April 16-17, 2025

• Delivered a special plenary titled, “On Being as Consciousness and Consciousness as Being: Rational and Functional Paradigms of Cit in Indian Philosophy, at the VI International Conference of the Caesurae Collective Society, on “Paradigms of Consciousness and its Cultural & Aesthetic Expressions” from 9-11 April 2025 at Cooch Behar College, Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India.

• Delivered an online talk on “Sankara’s concept of Aparoksanubhuti”, at Ramakrishna Mission, Muzaffarpur on April 6, 2025.

• Delivered a lecture titled “From Brahman to Śūnyatā: In Quest of a Shared Horizon Between Vedānta and Buddhism” at the “Inaugural All-India Conference of the Dalai Lama Centre for Tibetan and Indian Ancient Wisdom, Bodhgaya” held during 3rd & 4th April 2025 at Bodhgaya.

The School of Buddhist Studies, Philosophy, and Comparative Religions has been a hub of intellectual and spiritual exploration, hosting significant academic events and producing impactful research:

Event Organized:

• 5 April 2025: Hosted an ICPR Study Circle Lecture by Professor Pradeep P. Gokhale on Cultivation of the Four Sublime Attitudes (Brahmavihāras). The lecture explored the Buddhist ethical practices of loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy, and equanimity, emphasizing their relevance to modern ethical life.

• 17 March – 18 April 2025: Organized a month-long lecture series by Professor K.T.S. Sarao, covering 13 topics on Buddhist history, philosophy, and modern expressions. 26 sessions, totaling 39 hours, included topics like the Mahabodhi Temple, the Buddha biography & HH Dalai Lama to name a few.

Faculty:

Ven. Dr. Pooja Dabral

Publications

• Research Paper titled “Prajñā-infused Bodhisattva Actions: Buddhist Insights for World Peace and Sustainable Development” in “Unity and Inclusivity for Human Dignity: Buddhist Insights for World Peace and Sustainable Development” VESAK 2025, ed. Most Ven. Thich Nhat Tu, Vietnam Buddhist University Publications, May 2025.

• Research Paper titled “The Buddhist Insights on Self-Reliance: Reflections from Nālandā Treatises” in: Prajñā (The Wisdom), A Journal of Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee, Bihar: Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee, May 2025. ISSN-2250-1983.

Paper Presentation and Talks

• July 2025: Invited to share Insights on the Relevance of Nalanda Buddhist Thought in Addressing Youth Loneliness, Technological Disruptions, and Planetary Sustainability in Utopias Podcast hosted by Professor Ramesh Srinivasan, University of California, Los Angeles and Produced by Jack Garland, Published on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Buzzsprout, July 2025. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2272465/episodes/17471453-venerable-dr-pooja-dabral

• 22 June- 1 July: Invited to Lead discussions on Bodhicittavivaraṇa by Ancient Nalanda Master, Arya Nāgārjuna during the Study and Contemplation Retreat Workshop at Ngari Institute, organized in collaboration with Tibet House from June 22 to July 1, 2025. Provided insights into the Applied Philosophy of Buddhist iconography at prominent monasteries such as Ngari, Temisgam, Lamayuru, Atitse, Likir, Alchi and others in Leh, Ladakh.

Lectures

• 12 April: Delivered Lecture: “Emotional Strength and Well-being: Perspectives from the Ancient Nālandā Wisdom” at Geriatric Yoga Workshop -11-12 April, 2025, organised by Nalanda University, Rajgir, April 12, 2025.

• 11 April: Delivered Lecture: “Psychology for Training the Mind based on the Classic text for Bodhisattvas-training, “The Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life” by Bodhisattva Shantideva.” organised by Forest of Wisdom: Planting Seeds of Compassion and Roots of Wisdom, A Centre for Learning for Peace for Compassion, (Online mode), Scotland, USA. 2025.

• Invited as Distinguished Speaker, to Deliver Talk titled “Relevance of the Buddhist Idea of Peace in Contemporary Times”, featuring esteemed scholars under the H.H. The Dalai Lama Chair. at Symposium Organised by H.H. the Dalai Lama Chair, Punjab University at Principal P.L. Anand Auditorium, Punjab University, 2025.

• 5 June 2025: Invited as Distinguished Speaker, to Deliver Talk titled “Relevance of the Buddhist Idea of Peace in Contemporary Times”, featuring esteemed scholars under the H.H. The Dalai Lama Chair at Symposium Organised by H.H. the Dalai Lama Chair, Punjab University.

Nalanda Debate Society

May 8, 2025: As Faculty In-charge of the Nalanda Debate Society, coordinated the Inter-School Perspective Debate Competition. The event featured engaging debates between academic departments on topics spanning language, sustainability, and mindful living. Students showcased critical thinking and eloquence, with spirited participation across all schools. Winners included, SLLH, SEES and SHS.

Faculty:

Dr. Pranshu Samdarshi

Publications

• “बौद्ध धर्म के इतिहास-लेखन की विसंगतियाँ एवं पूर्वाग्रह” (Inconsistencies and Biases in the Historiography of Buddhism), Chetana, the biannual journal of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla for Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. 8, 2025, 60–71.

• “भारतीय बौद्ध विरासत का पुनर्जागरण एवं औपनिवेशिक​ भारत के पालि विद्वानों की भूमिका” (Revival of Buddhist Heritage and the Contributions opf Pāli Scholars in Colonial India), PRAJNĀ, Vol. XXII, Annual Journal of the Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC), Bodhgaya, 83-87.

Conference Paper/ Lectures

• 2 May 2025: Presented Reassessing Krimila: Sacred Geography, Art, and its Connection with the Nālandā Tradition at the Lakhisarai seminar.

International Academic Engagement

• 2-3 April 2025: Participated as a member of NU delegation, led by VC, for the Letter of Association (LoA) Signing Ceremony with Lumbini Buddhist University at Lumbini, Nepal. Also attended the 18th N.E.W.S. Conference.

Academic Coordination

• 2-4 May 2025: Coordinated a 3-Day Heritage Tour for 45 students of Nalanda University to various historical sites in Lakhi Sarai District, organized by the District Administration, Lakhi Sarai & Bihar Tourism, Govt of Bihar.

Invited Lectures

• 12 April 2025: Delivered a lecture on Ageing with Spirituality: Insights from the Buddha and Śaṅkarācārya at a Geriatric Yoga Workshop, blending spiritual and practical perspectives.

• 11 April 2025: Lectured on Stūpas, Maṇḍalas, and Yantras at UGC-MMTTC, Assam University (online mode), discussing architectural traditions in Buddhist and Hindu contexts.

Invited Talks

• 5 June 2025: Delivered a talk on Buddhist Tradition in Relation to Agricultural Culture in Southeast Asia at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH), Ho Chi Minh City, exploring the interplay of Buddhism and agriculture.

• 14 June 2025: Presented Overview Buddhist Psychology at USSH, Ho Chi Minh City, introducing Buddhist perspectives on the mind.

• 23 June 2025: Spoke on The Interaction Between Mind and Body in Buddhist Philosophy at USSH, Hanoi, delving into Buddhist philosophical insights.