17 October 2011

Indian Perspectives on Shiksha (Education)

September 29-October 2, 2011



This four days conference was organized by Deer Park Institute and SIDH (Society for Integrated Development of Himalayas) under the patronage of Samdhong Rinpoche. There were 20 invited educationists and philosophers from different Indian traditions to present their thought and belief systems.

Below are extracts of comments from organizer and participants of the conference:

“Thank you for taking out so much time, traveling a long distance and participating in the conference on "Indian Perspectives in Shiksha (education)" in the beautiful ambiance of the Deer Park Institute at Bir, Himachal Pradesh. For me personally and I am sure for many of us, it was truly an enriching and energizing experience. Even though I was organizing the conference I did not know many of the presenters personally and one is grateful to them for accepting the invitation to come for this unusual conference where "papers" were not read but the proceedings unfolded in a natural manner and the speakers spoke from their experience and from their hearts rather than intellectualizing the deliveries.

The idea behind the conference was to put together different perspectives on Shiksha from different Indian traditions. One understands that perhaps the objective was too lofty to be achieved in one 4 day sitting but it did open up the possibilities for a series of dialogues to take the idea forward. It also gave glimpses of many different directions in which this effort can be taken forward."
~Pawan Gupta
SIDH, Mussoorie



“I think the conference went very well. This conference was mainly to put together the traditional view on education of the various great Indian traditions as well as current efforts making by individuals and groups. For this, we achieved quite substantial information….
Our second effort should be, to find the similarities and dissimilarities among the traditions and more importantly, which are relevant today and how it can be utilize in the present days education process. If one or two research scholars could work on it then there might be some tangible result can bring out from the conference deliberation.”
~Samdhong Rinpoche

“Thanks so much to everybody for an inspiring and illuminating 4 days. As ever Deer Park shines brightly, an awakening gem in an already blessed valley. I am so glad I attended the conference.
One thing the conference showed is that together we can achieve so much. Not by becoming a sort of tasteless khichidi, but rather by inspiring and educating one another so we begin to see and live the big picture beyond narrow compartmentalization, out of our little wells and into the sea.”
~
Bhikkhu Sumati, Kabir



“After many years I could disconnect myself from the world outside for at least four days. I can’t precisely recall as to when I experienced, if at all, this kind of serenity and peace, despite my daughter’s indisposition. Rimpoche ji’s presence during this period had a profound impact on me which I can’t explain. I was greatly impressed with his wisdom, composure, humility and a great sense of humors.”
~Mahesh
The Heritage School, Gurgaon

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