Bodh Gaya: In connection with the celebration of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday according to Tibetan tradition, the Sera Jey Monastery’s renowned scholars invited Buddhist Vinaya masters from various countries to Bodh Gaya for the Fifth International conference on Vinaya from 16 to 18 December 2024. It was organised by Sera Jey Monastery in collaboration with Buddhist Thai Bharat Society, Bodh Gaya.

Representing the Central Tibetan Administration, Secretary of the Department of Religion and Culture Dhondul Dorjee attended the conference. 

On the morning of the 16 December, the opening ceremony took place at the Watpa Thai Monastery’s  conference hall. The main guest, Sera Monastery’s Khen Rinpoche Geshe Tashi Tsethar, along with other special guests, inaugurated the event with a ceremonial lighting of a butter lamp. Subsequently, monastics from Thailand, Tibetan community, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan, and Myanmar chanted prayers in their respective languages.

The Watpa Thai Monastery’s Secretary, Ratneshwar Chakma, delivered a welcome speech and introduced the guests. Sera Monastery’s Treasurer, Geshe Ngawang Jangchub, then gave a greeting speech and presented ceremonial scarves to the guests.

Special guests including Dr Mahashweta Maharati from the Bodhgaya Mahabodhi Temple Management Committee and Secretary of the Department of Religion and Culture Dhondul Dorjee delivered speeches related to the event.

Ven. Guo Qing Shi from the Taiwanese Monastery, Ven. Dr Phra Bodhi Nandhamunee from the Thai Monastery, and the main guest Khen Rinpoche from Sera Monastery subsequently delivered speeches.

The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by Geshe Lobsang Dorje.