The 2010 International Conference on Tibetan Buddhism

The International Conference on Tibetan Buddhism will be held from October 18-20, in Atlanta, Georgia, in conjunction with the Dalai Lama’s upcoming visit to Emory University. Among the many prestigious participants will be Gelek Rimpoche, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, Matthieu Ricard, Glenn Mullin, Lama Surya Das, Robert Thurman, John Makransky, Geshe Thupten Jinpa, Judith Simmer-Brown, Fleet Maull, Ganden Tri Rizong Rinpoche, Sogyal Rinpoche, Dr. Sarah Harding, and many others.  Click here to learn more or here to purchase tickets. via emory.edu,

After fifty years, the dissemination of Tibetan Buddhism in the modern world is no longer in its infancy, but has reached a crucial intermediate stage. Having established itself and laid down roots outside of traditionally Tibetan Buddhist areas through the efforts of many teachers, and particularly His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the time has come for teachers and students of Tibetan Buddhism to consider its future direction, with an eye to ensuring that the tradition continues to grow as a beneficial force for the peace, well-being and happiness of humanity. Coinciding with the three-day visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Emory University in Atlanta, GA, this conference will bring together the preeminent leaders, teachers, scholars, translators, supporters, and students of Tibetan Buddhism from both traditionally Tibetan Buddhist areas and western countries to engage in substantive discussion about the current state of Tibetan Buddhism in the modern world and how best to move forward collectively. What is the current situation of Tibetan Buddhism, and what does the future hold for it? What new challenges and opportunities present themselves for an ancient tradition that now finds itself as one among many traditions in the modern world? How will Tibetan Buddhism be transformed through its encounter with modern society, science, and other religious traditions, and what can it bring to complement them? This major international conference will focus on Tibetan Buddhism in the modern world, following on from the Congress of Tibetan Buddhist Dharma Centers of the Americas, held at the Garrison Institute, NY, in 2003. The conference promises to be distinctive due to the contemporary relevance of the topics to be discussed and the diversity of speakers and participants who will be present, including leaders of Tibetan Buddhist communities in both traditionally Buddhist and western countries, some of the most prominent western scholars of Tibetan Buddhism, and representatives from western Dharma centers.