Padmapani Lectures

The Padmapani Lectures

Annual Padmapani lecture series is one of the important academic events. They are delivered by leading scholars from around the world, who have made outstanding contributions to the field of Buddhist and Tibetan studies. Padmapani is a name for Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, the embodiment of universal compassion. Hence the title of the lecture series evokes the idea of universal understanding and harmony. The Padma (lotus) is significant to both Tibetan and Indian cultures. For the titles of Padmapani Lectures since 1989, see Appendix.

Padmapani Lectures

  1. 1989, The first Padmapani lecture was delivered by Prof. K. Satchidananda Murty on: “The Philosophy of Universal Interpenetration”.An exhibition of Tibetan Thangkas on the theme of sixteen Arhats was shown to celebrate the inaugural lecture.
  2. 1990, Prof. Mahesh Tiwari of the Department of Buddhist Studies, Delhi University: “Chatur Brahma Viharas: Its Significance to the Indian Tradition”.
  • 1991, His Grace Dr. Paulos Mar Gregorios, the Syrian Orthodox Bishop of Delhi and the North: “Buddhism in India’s Cultural Heritage – Buddha and Ashoka” and “The Buddhist-Hindu Debate in the Golden Age of Indian Philosophy”.
  1. 1992, Dr. Raja Ramanna, Director of the National Institute of Advanced Studies in Bangalore: “Scientific Philosophy with Reference to Buddhist Thought”.
  2. 1993, Shri Ravindra Varma, Chairperson, Gandhi Peace Foundation: “Mahatma Gandhi and Mahayana Buddhism”.
  3. 1994, Prof. Dr. Lokesh Chandra: “The Tibetan State and Buddhist Culture”.
  • 1995, Prof. Krishna Nath, Trustee of the Krishnamurti Foundation of India, Bangalore: “What is Sahaja?”and “Sahaja in Daily Life”. To coincide with the lectures, an exhibition of rare Tibetan Thangkas from the time of the seventh Dalai Lama (1708-1757), depicting incarnations of the Panchen Lama from the Tibet House collection were shown.
  • 1996, Prof. M. N. Deshpande, former Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India: “Artistic Efflorescence in the Deccan through the Buddhist Ideal of Compassion and Righteousness”.
  1. 1997, Dr. Dawa Norbu, Associate Professor of Central Asian Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi: “Indo- Tibetan Cultural Relations Through the Ages”.
  2. 1998, Dr. Pratapaditya Pal, Norton Simon Museum at Pasadena, California, and the Art Institute of Chicago: “IndianArt and the Tibetan Connection”.
  3. 1999, Prof. Ramchandra Gandhi: “Self and Emptiness”.
  • 2000, Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan: “Himalayan Buddhist Heritage: Past and Present”.
  • 2001, Arjan Sulak Sivaraksa, Buddhist activist from Thailand: “Buddhist Solutions to Global Conflicts: Peacemaking, Peacebuilding, Peacekeeping”.
  • 2002, Professor Stanislav Menshikov, Russian Economist: “Compassionate Economy has a Future”.
  1. 2003, Prof. N.H.Samtani, Emeritus Professor, Banares Hindu University: “The Concept of Mahapurusha and Rishi in Buddhism”.
  • 2004, Dr. (Mrs.) Bhuvan Chandel, Professor of Philosophy, Punjab University, Chandigarh: “Sambodhi”.
  • 2005, Prof. Geshe Ngawang Samten, Director, Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath: “Theory and Practice of Buddhism”.
  • 2006, Prof. Stkari Mukhopadyaya, Eminent Scholar of Buddhist History and Culture: “Buddhist Literature in Pali and Sanskrit” 
  • 2007, Prof. K.T.S. Sarao, An Alumnus of Delhi University: “The Concept of Pilgrimage in Buddhistm”
  1. 2008, Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne, founder and president of the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement in Sri Lanka: “Translating Buddha’s Teachings into Development and Peace Action”
  • 2009, Dr. James G. Mullens, Department of Religion and Culture, University of Saskatchewan, Canada: “Buddhist Humanism and Education at Nalanda Mahavihara: The Making of Renaissance Men”
  • 2010, Professor Geze Bethlenfalvy, Eminent Hungarian Scholar: “Message of Buddhism for the 21stCentury” and “Aspects of Buddhist Mediation”
  • 2011, Prof. B.N. Goswamy, Professor Emeritus of Art History, Punjab University: “In Awareness of the Buddha”
  • 2012, Dr. Pema Dorjee, Renowned Tibetan Medical Practitioner: “Spiritual Medicine of Tibet“
  • 2013, Er. Sonam Morup, Lecturer in Engineering College: “Tibetan Buddhist Calendar and Astronomical Science”
  • 2014, Prof. Sudhir Kumar Sopory, Vice Chancellor, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU): “An Insight into Plant Life: perception, Feelings and Self Regulation”
  • 2015, Prof. Dr. Lokesh Chandra, President, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR): “Erstwhile Nalanda”
  • 2016, Ms. Shobhana Radha Krishna, Chief Functionary of the Gandhian Forum for Ethical Corporate Governance: “Ideology of Mahatma Gandhi on Peace, Compassion and Nonviolence”
  • 2017, Prof. Nicolas Gisin, John Stewart Bell Prize Recipient: “Quantum Non-Locality, Randomness and Free-Will”