Dharamshala: A non-sectarian scholarly conference on Acharya Shantideva’s Bodhicaryavatara and on the Noble and Sacred Deeds of His Holiness the Dalai Lama was held on 28 December 2025 at Drepung Loseling Monastery, as part of the Ghoton commemoration marking the 90th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

Secretary Dhondul Dorjee of the Department of Religion and Culture (CTA) attended the inaugural ceremony as the representative of the department’s incumbent Kalon, Sikyong Penpa Tsering.

At 9:25 a.m., the inaugural ceremony was graced by the presence of the 105th Gaden Tripa, Chief Guest Shri Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of Minority Affairs of India; Secretary Dhondul Dorjee; the Abbot of Drepung Loseling Monastery, Geshe Yeshi Lhundup; along with the monastery’s chant master, disciplinarian, and treasurer.

Other dignitaries in attendance included Kasur Jetsun Pema, younger sister of His Holiness the Dalai Lama; members of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile—Geshe Lharampa Gowo Lobsang Phende, Geshe Lharampa Atuk Tseten, and Choephel Thupten; Secretary of the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lobsang Jinpa; and Kasur Tempa Tsering.

With the lighting of a butter lamp by the 105th Gaden Tri Rinpoche, accompanied by auspicious offering prayers led by the chant master, the event commenced with a joint ceremonial cutting of the birthday cake by Gaden Tri Rinpoche and Honourable Union Minister Shri Kiren Rijiju.

After the distribution of cake to the gathering, the conference’s organising committee presented souvenirs to the distinguished guests.

The programme then featured addresses, in sequence, by the Abbot of the Monastery; Shri Shivaram Hebbar, MLA, Government of Karnataka; Kyabje Samdhong Rinpoche; Kyabje Ling Rinpoche; Kalon Dolma Gyari, Minister of the Department of Security, CTA; Lok Sabha MP Shri Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri; the Chief Guest, Shri Kiren Rijiju; Gaden Tri Rinpoche; and Geshe Lobsang Tenzin Negi from Emory University.

During the event, the Abbot of the monastery also presented a petition for assistance to Union Minister Shri Kiren Rijiju.

As part of the cultural programme, students from Camp 3 and Drepung Loseling School engaged in dialectical debates. Three students from Loseling School recited poems in praise of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, followed by a cultural performance by the Deoguling opera troupe and the Gorshey (circle dance) group of Settlement Camp 6.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the Treasurer of Drepung Loseling Monastery.