Vajrayāna Buddhism in the Modern World Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Vajrayāna Buddhism, 28-30 March 2018, Thimphu, Bhutan དཔལ་འབག་ཞབ་འཇག་ལ་བ། Centre for Bhutan Studies & GNH Copyright © Centre for Bhutan Studies & GNH All rights reserved Centre for Bhutan Studies & GNH Langjophakha, Thimphu Phone: 975-2-321005, 321007 Fax: 975-2-321001 Post Box No. 1111
[email protected] www.bhutanstudies.org.bt www.grossnationalhappiness.com First published in 2018 ISBN 978-99980-35-00-3 Preface The Second International Conference on Vajrayāna Buddhism was held from 28-30 March 2018 at Thimphu, Bhutan. The conference was organized jointly by the Centre for Bhutan Studies & GNH (CBS) and the Central Monastic Body. More than 200 participants from about 30 countries took part in the conference besides the local participants. Vajrayāna Conference is a part of the several national events organised to celebrate the 50th anniversary of peace- ful diplomatic relation between the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Government of India. India and Bhutan share many common values and a rich history. Buddhism is one of the most exemplary aspects of this shared heritage. India gave rise to one of the greatest civilizations of humankind, and Buddhism is certainly one of India’s greatest gifts to the world. The papers included in this publication cover a wide range of themes, including Vajrayāna Buddhism’s role in the modern world, the application of Vajrayāna Buddhism in health and education, its interface with modern science, women in Vajrayāna, and Vajrayāna’s evolution and development in various countries.