National Conference Indian Himalayan Buddhist Communities: Cultural Preservation and Identity Challenges and Way forward in the 21st Century 29th & 30th June, 2018, Venue: Gurugram, Haryana

RESOLUTION (Socio-Political)

The august house of learned delegation from the Himalayan region of gathered at Double Tree by Hilton, Gurugram in the National Capital Region for The National Conference on Indian Himalayan Buddhist Communities: Cultural Preservation and Identity: Challenges and Way forward in the 21st Century on 29th & 30th June, 2018, after two days of deliberations unanimously adopted the following resolution:

1. Endorse and extend whole hearted unanimous support to the long pending and just demand of the Himalayan Buddhists for inclusion of Bhoti Language in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India. 2. Unanimously urge Govt of India and various state Govts to restore holy relics, currently housed in National Museum, New Delhi and various other museums all over India, in an appropriate sanctified place for Buddhists all over world to worship and pay obeisance. Their display as archeological artefacts in museums deeply hurts the religious sentiments of followers of Buddha and our nation's prestige and significance as land of Buddha's enlightenment, teaching and Mahaparinirvana and origin of . 3. We also urge Govt of India and state Govts to undertake proper excavation, preservation and development of infrastructure at Buddhist heritage sites all over India. 4. Religious sanctity of Buddhist holy sites such as Rewalsar Lake (Tso Pema/Pema Tso) in of and several other similar places of reverence and worship to Buddhists since ancient times be protected and preserved and any encroachment or communal and vested motives and designs be dispelled and checked. Among several such cases is such as Guru Dongmar lake in North Sikkim, one of the most sacred sites associated with Guru which is being appropriated and encroached by people of other faiths and a place of worship of Sikh faith is being constructed in complete disregard for religious sentiments and faith of Himalayan Buddhists and people of Sikkim. These sites be accorded protection under the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act No. 47 of 1991. 5. Unanimously support the long standing demand of the peaceful people of for grant of Union Territory status for Ladakh. 6. Unanimously support the demand for immediate stopping of all hydro power projects in the Himalayan region affecting and threatening the sanctity of the holy Buddhist sites, altering the local demography and causing irreversible environmental damage. 7. Sowa Rigpa, the ancient and traditional astro-medicinal system has been duly recognized by Ayush Ministry of Govt of India. We urge that Sowa Rigpa institutions be opened in Lahaul, Spiti and Kinnaur regions of Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh. 8. The existing constitutional provisions that provide nomination of Member of Parliament from minority communities such as from Anglo Indian community to protect the unique and fragile cultural status and identity may be extended to the Himalayan Buddhist community. 9. Vishesh Kendriya Vidyalaya (Special Central School) that was established in New Delhi in 1960 by Govt of India for the students of Indian Himalayan region, which had contributed tremendously for development, exposure and career opportunity for Himalayan students, and was closed down for unspecified reasons by Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, be reopened. 10. The road and telecommunication/internet connectivity be improved in the remote Himalayan regions and may be viewed not in terms of profitability but from both strategic security and as crucial linkages and public service responsibility to the people inhabiting this area and linking them with the mainstream India and the rest of the world. Chadar Road, Spiti Road and other crucial roads may be taken on priority. 11. Establishing community radio stations in local Bhoti dialects in the Himalayan region and providing training, fund and sustenance support to run and maintain may be considered.

Signed and unanimously resolved on June 30, 2018, at Gurugram, Haryana, by undersigned representative participants of Himalayan Buddhist communities and the Core Committee. National Conference Indian Himalayan Buddhist Communities: Cultural Preservation and Identity Challenges and Way forward in the 21st Century 29th & 30th June, 2018, Venue: Gurugram, Haryana

RESOLUTION

I. The National Conference on Indian Himalayan Buddhist Communities: Cultural Preservation and Identity: Challenges and Way forward in the 21st Century held on 29th & 30th June, 2018 at Double Tree by Hilton, Gurugram, the august house of learned delegation from the Himalayan region of India after two days deliberations unanimously resolved and adopted the resolution for the formation of the Indian Himalayan Council of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition (IHCNBT) as an apex body to address the challenges Buddhist communities and their socio-cultural and religious structures are facing, and further it will work for:

1) IHCNBT will work towards strengthening the traditional structures and institutions and reconnect the symbiotic relation between the Sangha and lay people, especially the youth. 2) IHCNBT will also work towards checking the sectarian fissures and establish greater understanding and harmony among various schools of and uniting the Buddhist communities and Sangha for larger good of humanity, peace and harmony. 3) IHCNBT will initiate efforts to evolve a standard curriculum for monastic education and establishment of Council for Monastic Education. This will be in line with the proposed national policy on Islamic Madrasas and proposed revival of Vedic Gurukul system. 4) IHCNBT will work to make special efforts to engage youth leaders, women, nuns, monks, artists, filmmakers and journalists in revival and strengthening of cultural and religious identity within the broader context of creating socially and economically sustainable Himalayan communities. 5) IHCNBT will work to contribute in the field of Buddhist knowledge by stressing upon the commonality among different traditions, the roots of which lie in the Nalanda tradition.

II. IHCNBT shall work for starting and establishing strategic cultural institutions in the lines of The Tawang Foundation for strategic development of Buddhist culture and identity and to look holistically and comprehensively at the external and internal challenges that are eroding cultural and religious identity in Indian Himalayas and endangering the strategic security.

III. The august house welcomes and supports the initiative of The Tawang Foundation towards furtherance of above and strongly recommend for making it fully operational. However, the effort needs continuity and TTF should take up the responsibility.

The Signatories to the Resolution adopted at Gurugram-Delhi Declaration 30th June 2018.

Gankar , Abbot Tawang Monastery Tawang, A.P.

Rev. Rikya Lhavoe Rinpoche Tawang, A.P.

Rev. Jigme Rapten Rinpoche Dirang, A.P.

Rev. Jigme Tanpai Gyaltsen Rinpoche Dirang, A.P.

Rev. Tashi Densapa Rinpoche Gangtok, SK

Rev. Gyabung Rinpoche, Choskhor Ling Gonpa Kinnaur, H.P.

Rev. Kachen Rinpoche, Ladakh, J&K

Rev. Urgen Tsewang Rinpoche Ladakh, J&K

Rev. Gomang Khen Rinpoche, Drepung Gomang Monastery Ladakh, J&K

Gyuto Umjey Zanskar, J&K

Khenpo Sangay Lodoe, AIMMA Alipurduar, W.B.

H.E. T.K. Lochen Tulku Rinpoche, Key Monastery Spiti, H.P.

Rev. Somang Rinpoche, Nako Monastery Kinnaur, H.P.

Khenpo Rangdol Ladakh, J&K