International Symposium on Buddhist Studies

Since 2002, RYI has hosted a series of international symposia on Buddhist Studies. The themes of the symposia have spanned a variety of topics related to Buddhist philosophy and practice and speakers have been some of the foremost international Buddhist scholars and senior teachers from the monastic tradition. This blend of modern academic and traditional monastic scholarship produces a unique environment for exploring the Buddhist tradition in all its facets and multiplicities.

The tenth symposium on Buddhist Studies and gala dinner celebrating twenty years of RYI took place on March 25 and 26, 2017 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kathmandu Nepal. 

The symposium addressed Transnational Buddhism: Philosophical, Anthropological, and Historical Perspectives and featured over a dozen distinguished scholars from Nepal and around the world. Presentations and discussion panels highlighted the methods, assumptions, stances, implications, and challenges associated with the study and practice of Buddhism in our complex, modern world. Find more information, including speakers’ bios and abstracts of their talks, and view the talks by clicking here.

RYI also hosted a gala event on the evening of March 25, 2017 to celebrate its twentieth anniversary. The celebratory evening included live music, dinner, and comments by Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche and Sogyal Rinpoce. For more information, click here.