From 18-20 December, the Tibet House in New Delhi will host 36 scholars and institution builders from 13 countries during a three-day conference on the "Contribution of Tibetan Culture to Global Understanding".

Anyone who has listened to a teaching or public lecture by His Holiness the Dalai Lama would heartily affirm that Tibetan Buddhism's message of compassion, moderation, and thorough investigation is extremely relevant in our world today. Over the past few decades, people everywhere have shown an increasing interest in Tibetan Buddhism as a means to achieve personal, social and ecological harmony, and institutes such as the Tibet House have served to promote dialogue and research in this area.

This month's conference is scheduled to provide a series of diverse speakers, to satisfy every audience. A few of the topics posted are: traditional spiritual practice and its renewal in the face of present day challenges, Tibetan Buddhism's Sanskrit inheritance, and efforts to promote dialogue between Buddhists and those from both Judeo-Christian and Islamic backgrounds. Tibetan medical experts will speak on canonical texts, rural medicine, and Aryuveda, among other approaches. Both traditional and modern forms of Tibetan art will also be discussed.

Dr Alexander Berzin will deliver the conference's keynote address on 18 December, in the Indian International Center's main auditorium at 11:00 am. His speech will survey the historical influence of Tibetan culture throughout Central Asia and the Himalayas, detail recent efforts to preserve this heritage and make it more accessible, and how Buddhism can used as a tool for psychological healing.

Performers from Gangjong Doeghar and a group of young dancers from Kalimponga will present the dance dramas "Milarepa: The Hunter and the Deer"' and "Folk Songs and Dances from the Roof of the World" on 18 and 19 December, respectively, at IIC's Gandhi-King Plaza at 5:30 pm.

Scholars from Estonia, Canada, Germany, Italy, India, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, Spain, Tibet and the USA will take part in the conference.

The Tibet House was founded in 1965 by His Holiness the Dalai Lama "to preserve and disseminate the unique cultural heritage of Tibet, and to provide a centre for Tibetan and Buddhist studies". More information on the Tibet House in New Delhi can be found at www.tibethousenewdelhi.org.