Conference & Exhibition on Life and Legacy of Atīśa Dīpaṃkara Śrījñāna 2025

Conference & Exhibition on Life and Legacy of Atīśa Dīpaṃkara Śrījñāna 2025

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​India International Centre, in collaboration with the Centre for Escalation of Peace,
the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Pallavan Learning Systems, and Ritinjali,
is hosting the Guru Conference and Exhibition on
Atīśa Dīpaṃkara Śrījñāna 
on 21–22 November 2025 and 20–30 November 2025, respectively

Building on the success of the 2019 Guru Conference, which focused on the Life and Legacy of Guru Padmasambhava, the Centre for Escalation of Peace and the India International Centre, in collaboration with Library of Tibetan Works & Archives, Ritinjali and Pallavan Learning Systems, present a two-day conference dedicated to Atīśa Dīpaṃkara Śrījñāna, a luminary whose influence continues to shape the Buddhist tradition across Asia.

Atīśa Dīpaṃkara Śrījñāna is a towering figure in Buddhist history, renowned for his intellectual and spiritual contributions that still resonate today. This conference will explore his multifaceted roles as a scholar, reformer, spiritual leader, and cosmopolitan figure, celebrating his enduring legacy.

The conference begins by exploring Atīśa’s early life and intellectual journey, which laid the foundation for his significant contributions to Buddhism. Born in what is now Bangladesh, Atīśa’s rigorous scholarly training under distinguished teachers encompassed a wide array of Buddhist traditions—Theravāda, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna—as well as other disciplines such as logic, astrology, and philosophy. His extensive travels across Asia, including his time in India, Tibet, and Indonesia, enabled him to synthesise diverse strands of Buddhist thought. During this period, Atīśa also served as Abbot at the prestigious Vikramashila University, a role that not only cemented his academic reputation but also influenced his later contributions to Buddhist education and reform.

A key focus will be Atīśa’s perilous journey to Indonesia, where he sought teachings on Bodhicitta from the master Dharmakīrti (Suvarṇadvipi Dharmarakṣita or Lama Serlingpa). This quest exemplifies Atīśa’s dedication to obtaining profound teachings, which later played a crucial role in the development of Buddhism in Tibet & Bhutan. The impact of this journey on Atīśa’s teachings and his role in bridging different Buddhist traditions will be explored in depth.

Atīśa is connected to Bhutan primarily through his influence on the development of Buddhism in the region. Although Atīśa himself did not visit Bhutan, his disciples and the teachings he propagated significantly shaped the religious landscape of Bhutan. Bhutanese Buddhism, particularly the Drukpa Kagyu and Nyingma schools, were influenced by his emphasis on ethical conduct, meditation practices, and the gradual path to enlightenment. Atīśa's connection to Bhutan is therefore indirect but profound, as his teachings helped lay the foundation for the form of Buddhism that became deeply rooted in Bhutanese culture and spirituality. His legacy continues to be honoured in Bhutan, where many of his texts and teachings are studied and followed to this day.

The conference will also highlight Atīśa’s contributions to the ethical and moral dimensions of Buddhism, particularly his emphasis on Vinaya (monastic discipline) and the guru-disciple relationship. His deep spiritual connections with his spiritual disciples will be discussed, emphasising the profound authority he commanded as a spiritual leader.

Central to Atīśa’s legacy is his seminal work, A Lamp for the Path of Enlightenment, which remains foundational across all schools of Mahāyāna. The text’s comprehensive outline of the path to enlightenment, integrating both exoteric and esoteric teachings, will be a focal point, with discussions on its enduring relevance and influence on Buddhism in the Himalayan region.

While Atīśa is retrospectively recognised as the founder of the Kadam school, special emphasis will be placed on the mind-training techniques (Lojong) he introduced. These techniques, aimed at transforming the mind and cultivating compassion, will be discussed for their historical significance and continued relevance in contemporary Buddhist practice.

The conference will be complemented by an exhibition of rare thangkas, paintings, sculptures, and photographs, offering a visual exploration of the cultural and artistic heritage associated with Atīśa Dīpaṃkara Śrījñāna.

This event aims to be a comprehensive scholarly examination of Atīśa Dīpaṃkara Śrījñāna's life, teachings, and legacy. By bringing together academics, practitioners, and scholars, the conference will celebrate his remarkable contributions to the spiritual and cultural heritage of Asia, ensuring his profound wisdom continues to guide future generations.