SHIMLA, Jan 12: Monks and nuns studying Buddhist philosophy across the Himalayan monasteries are now eligible for globally recognized certification from the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS).
This initiative is the result of a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between NIOS and the Indian Himalayan Council of Nalanda Buddhist Traditions (IHCONBT).
“We have developed textbooks and a curriculum framework for Buddhist studies from Class I to XII, incorporating subjects such as Buddhist philosophy, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, English, and Bhoti, all officially recognized by NIOS,” stated Maling Gompu, General Secretary of IHCONBT, on Sunday.
The absence of formal recognition for the Buddhist teachings imparted in monasteries had previously led to feelings of insecurity among monks and nuns, contributing to a decline in their numbers.
With the introduction of this certification, those concerns are addressed, alleviating fears about the extinction of Nalanda Buddhism, he added.
Monasteries throughout India are now actively seeking affiliation with NIOS; four have already been recognized, while 22 more are in the process of applying, according to Gompu.
A total of 136 monasteries, including those in Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Darjeeling, Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, and other Himalayan regions, have been identified for potential affiliation, as shared by Gompu during his attendance at a seminar on “Retracing the Roots of Nalanda Buddhism and Presenting It to the World” in Shimla on Sunday.
He emphasized that Buddhism originated at Nalanda and subsequently spread to Tibet and beyond, and now its foundational presence in India will be reinforced. (PTI)
