• Briefly know about Buddhism in India, Nalanda and Vajrayana in Tibet. Importantly reasons, academic and geopolitical, why India is setting up the Dalai Lama Centre. It ends with possible risks from such a move. 

Thanks to X (formerly Twitter) one gets to know of matters that media has missed out. Minister K Rijju said, “Dalai Lama Centre for Tibetan and Indian Ancient Wisdom will be a global centre for conducting education, research and other programmes to promote the study of ancient Indian thought and wisdom.” “His Holiness states that the wisdom of Nalanda nurtured by such masters as Nagarjuna, Aryadeva and Chandrakirti, a tradition grounded in reason and logic, was kept alive in Tibet.”

The foundation stone for this Centre was laid in 2023. “Interim director of the project, Tempa Tsering announced that the Centre was being established to fulfil His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s vision that if awareness of ancient Indian wisdom, particularly with regard to the workings of the mind and emotions, could be revived and shared more widely, it would contribute to the creation of a more peaceful, more compassionate world.” 

The Centre is at Bodh Gaya, where Siddhartha Gautama became Buddha.

Background Buddhism in brief  

Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism were divided into four speculative schools. The former into Vaibhasikas (Kashmir and Gandhara) and Sautrantika. The latter into Madhyamika (founder Nagarjuna who lived about 3rd century A.D.) and Yogacharya (founded by Maitreyanatha, lived in Ayodhya 270-350 A.D.) 6 Pg. 388-90

Mahayana Buddhism originated around the 1^st century B.C. in undivided Andhra Pradesh. It spread across India 1-2^nd century A.D. 9 Pg. 388 Nagarjuna (Brahmin by birth) was one of the key thinkers who shaped Mahayana thought.

In Hinayana there was no pantheon worth the name. But in Mahayana, a large number of deities were included. In Vajrayana (Tantric Buddhism), this pantheon became large with deities of every description. 10 Pg. 518, 524

Ashoka built Stupa 1 or Great Stupa and later enlarged by Hindu kings i.e. Sungas (185 BC-73 AD). Gateway built in first century BC by Satvahanas. During Gupta period, several temples were built/sculptures added. Construction continued up to 12^th century. Read  Who built Sanchi Stupa

Bodh Gaya Mandir  was completed by the Gupta Kings around 7^th century. Temple destroyed by Turkish invaders in early 13^th century. Senior journalist wrote Sandhya Jain wrote, “Around 1590 a Saivite saint took charge of the Mahavira. In 1883, Sir Alexander Cunningham, J.D.M. Beglar and Dr Rajendra Lal Mitra renovated the temple on scientific lines.”

Background Tibetan Buddhism in brief 

Padmasambhava established Vajrayana form of Buddhism in Tibet in the 8^th century. Over centuries pure Mahayana doctrines were introduced. Large number of Buddhist Sanskrit texts-canonical and other philosophical and Tantric texts were translated into Tibetan. The primitive religion of Tibet, before introduction of Buddhism was Bon (Phon). 10 Pg. 501.

Guru Padmasambhava said to have taken a giant leap from Rewalsar Lake (Himachal) to Tibet.

9 Maitreya (future Buddha), Thiksey Monastery, Ladakh. 2016.

Atisa Dipankara (11^th century) of Bengal is considered possibly the most outstanding personality in the Buddhist world after Nagarjuna. He spent 13 years in Tibet. 11 Pg 416-18 The Gelugpa sect is the dominant sect in Tibet, was founded in the 14^th century, in known as the School of the Virtuous. Its followers wear yellow caps. 10

8 Tibetan. 2019.

NALANDA History in brief 

Nalanda was the place of birth of Sariputra, one of the famous disciples of Buddha. It rose into prominence in 5^th century A.D. As per the ASI board, Nalanda Mahavir was founded by Kumaragupta (413-455 a.d.) of the Gupta dynasty, Harshvardhana of Kanauj (606-647) and the Pala Kings of East India (8-12^th century) continued to extend patronage. Subjects taught were Theology, Logic, Grammar, Astronomy, Metaphysics, Medicine and Philosophy. It was funded by villages close by.

The great philosopher Santarakshita (Professor of Tantra 10 Pg. 530) lived during his reign and went to Tibet, stayed there up to 762 A.D. where was called Pandita Bodhisattva. At Vikramasila Monastery, several Sanskrit texts were translated into Tibetan.

Abhay Kumar, author of How Nalanda Changed the World wrote, “Aryabhata, who is regarded as the ‘father of Indian mathematics’, was the most prominent mathematician at the Nalanda Mahavihara in the sixth century CE. The Tibetan scholar Thonmi Sambhota, who studied at Nalanda Mahavihara, devised scripts for the Tibetan language based on the Devanagari and Kashmiri scripts.”

Thus, areas in modern day Bihar played an important role in the birth of Buddhism and export of knowledge from Nalanda to Tibet.

10 Buddha at Dalai Lama Temple, Mcleodganj. 2001.

Why is India setting up Dalai Lama Centre for Tibetan & Indian Ancient Wisdom

I am grateful to academicians, former diplomats and AI for insights.  

By supporting Buddhism in various forums, China is seeking to influence Monastic Thinking on India’s side of the border i.e. in Ladakh, Arunachal and even Nepal/Southeast Asia. It is seeking to dilute public perception that China is suppressing Tibetan Buddhism in Tibet.

The intent is to make the Centre a Global Knowledge Repository.

The decision to set up the Dalai Lama Centre is a well thought act of civilizational positioning, soft-power projection, and geopolitical signalling - particularly in regions where Buddhism intersects with China’s strategic outreach in S.E.Asia.

By placing the Centre in Bodh Gaya, where Buddha attained enlightenment, India anchors Tibetan scholastic traditions back to their Indian intellectual roots.

The Dalai Lama has consistently positioned Tibetan Buddhism as a continuation of the Nalanda tradition. The Centre institutionalises that claim in both physical and academic forms. Thus, it reiterates a civilisational narrative. Buddhism flourished in Tibet, but its philosophical foundations are Indian. This way civilisational legitimacy translates into cultural authority.

Art historian Benoy K Behl wrote The Indian Roots of Tibetan Buddhism, “There was no written script in Tibet till the 7th century. The acceptance of the Buddhist faith entailed the understanding of subtle philosophic concepts and profound commentaries.” Video of Film is 49 minutes

The move also positions Bodh Gaya as an international knowledge capital, creates job and business opportunities in the state of Bihar. The Centre compliments the wonderful Bihar State Museum in Patna.

The Strategic Layer: China and Narrative Competition

China has invested heavily in “Buddhist diplomacy.” It funds monasteries, cultural exchanges, and academic programs across Southeast Asia. It also insists on sovereign authority over Tibetan religious succession. This includes selection of the future Dalai Lama. Conversely, India has always taken a restrained approach. Hosting Dalai Lama was humanitarian; institutionalising his intellectual legacy is strategic. 

The messages by India are subtle- Buddhist authority is not subject to state control. The Nalanda lineage that Dalai L refers to transcends time & borders.

This way, India continues to be a legitimate custodian of Buddhist heritage

It strengthens India’s soft-power but does not escalate diplomatic friction.

The Cultural Connect with countries of Southeast Asia

For countries such as Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Cambodia, Buddhism is their national identity. These states carefully balance economic engagement with China against cultural autonomy.

Ramayana performances in Southeast Asia. Pic by Benoy K Behl.

Lord Indra Temple in Sukumwit Street, Bangkok, Thailand. 2009 

Cambodian devotees at Bodh Gaya. 2012

Collage pic of visit to My Son Sanctuary, Vietnam by Shobhna Vora.    

A serious academic centre in Bodh Gaya offers Southeast Asian scholars a neutral intellectual anchor.  Read  Ramayana performances in Southeast Asia

It creates a Buddhist knowledge network spanning countries. This way, the initiative supports India’s Act East policy indirectly- through cultural and philosophical connect rather than like the Belt and Road Initiative does. 

Fulfilling Dalai Lama’s Vision

“The Centre will also provide an opportunity for people from around the world to study the philosophy and vision of His Holiness the 14^th Dalai Lama, fulfilling his four life commitments, the philosophy and vision of which, have been directly inspired by his own deep immersion in ancient Indian wisdom.”

His life commitments are four-

1. Human Value.

2. Religious Harmony.

3. To preserve Tibet’s cultural and spiritual heritage and natural environment. 

4. Revival of Ancient Indian Thought esp. relating to working of mind/emotion.  

The intent is to attract students from across the world. Through its programs the Centres hopes to spread peace worldwide.

The Dalai Lama Factor

The Dalai Lama occupies a unique position in global Buddhism even though he is actually the head of biggest sect of Tibetan Buddhism (Gelugpa). His following transcends religious communities.

Institutionalising a Centre associated with his intellectual vision implies-

1. That India values his presence on its soil and shall continue to nurture Tibetan Buddhism after he gives up his body. The Centre institutionalises the support.

2. India not China shall have a key role in deciding his successor.  

3. Reiterates the Nalanda connect between India and Tibet.

4. It extends his universalist framing of Buddhism into research, psychology, and ethics.

5. It boosts Dalai Lama’s image within India, Tibetans and worldwide. 

Academic Legitimacy as Power

The Centre is not simply symbolic. It reframes ancient philosophical systems as relevant to contemporary challenges: Cognitive science, Emotional regulation, Ethics and Conflict resolution.

By linking ancient wisdom to modern research domains, India elevates heritage into policy-relevant knowledge. Such institutionalisation converts culture into durable influence.

The Centre fits well within India’s approach – No overt confrontation, and without ideological polemics.

Summary of reasons 

The Centre reiterates India as the intellectual birthplace of Buddhism. It offers Southeast Asian nations an alternative cultural anchor. Freedom to follow your path and not state control is India’s approach.  

It transforms spiritual heritage into institutional capital. In an era where geopolitical competition increasingly unfolds in the realm of ideas, building this Centre is a great strategic move.

What are the RISKS associated with this promotion of Buddhism

This strategy must be explained to people through a series of articles and television debates in Indian languages.

Rightly or wrongly in public discourse, Buddhism in India is increasingly being associated with Ambedkarism. Public do not know that Ambedkarism is a socio-political movement that does not follow all Buddha’s teachings. Due to vote-bank politics, such questions not asked. Actually, the term Neo Buddhists for Ambedkarites is unknown outside Maharashtra. Read  Are Ambedkarites Buddhist

So notwithstanding the gentle words of the respected Dalai Lama, the man on the street atleast in states like Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh associates Buddhism with Ambedkarism.

The fact that both the Congress and BJP are seeking votes of Ambedkarites is complicating matters on the ground. Reservations for Scheduled Caste continue after becoming Buddhist and the January 2026 UGC order might complicate matters further.

For some years now, there is a concerted effort to remove four Hindus from the Managing Committee of the Bodh Gaya Temple. If the temple control goes into anti-India hands, directly or tacitly, it could have significant implications.

Expect the Chinese to add to an already complicated situation. I have observed that on Social Media (X) the Chinese are trying to show how much their country is doing for Buddhism. Subtle intent is pointed towards Ambedkarites in India and Buddhist of S.E.Asia.

Notwithstanding India’s support to Tibet, there is a tendency to brand Indian thought as Tibetan for e.g. we must not forget the Indian Origins of Tibetan Medicine  and Tibetan Buddhism. Have you heard of Tibetan and Buddhist Pranayam? Such appropriation might lead to conflict.   

Statements by BJP leader that ‘India is the Land of Buddha’ even if made for geopolitical reasons is likely to be misunderstood in India’s current political discourse as vote bank politics. India is the Land of KARMA and DHARMA (Pali word is Dhamma). 

It is only in India that Hinduism and Buddhism are treated as separate religions. Said to be a British creation! Read   How Hindu and Buddhist strains are intertwined in Thailand, Cambodia and Japan

In case of any factual errors, am happy to stand corrected. Love and Light.

Vijay Dubey, Assistant Director, Sanchi University of Buddhist-Indic Studies contributed to this article.

Also read

1. New Nalanda University, Rajgir

2. Nalanada University ruins

3. Evolution of Buddhism in India

4. Album Bodh Gaya Temple

5. Introduction to Schools of Buddhism

6. History and Culture of Indian People Volume 3.

7. Atishi Journey from Bengal to Tibet

8. Are Ambedkarites Buddhist  

9. History and Culture of Indian People Volume 2.

10. RKM Cultural Heritage of India Volume 1.

11. History and Culture of Indian People Volume 5

12. Vajrayana Buddhism core tenets based on SAIVA SAKTA Philosophy

Notes

1. The 4 Noble Truths of Buddhism were echoes of Rishi Kapila’s original wisdom according to former scholar President Dr. Radhakrishnan writings in Indian Philosophy (1923). “The profound four-fold framework that Sage Kapila had already crystallized in the Samkhyapravacanabhasya – from the recognition of suffering, to the path of liberation, through the subtle understanding of prakrti and purusha, to the supreme discriminating wisdom – would later find a simplified reflection in Buddhist teachings.” Read  Samkhya and Buddhism