Lok Sabha Question No. 5313 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-05
Subject: NGOs of Buddhist Monastic (Gonpa) Institutions
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Jamyang Tsering Namgyal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5313

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 05 TH  APRIL, 2022/ CHAITRA 15, 1944 (SAKA)

NGOs OF BUDDHIST MONASTIC (GONPA) INSTITUTIONS

5313.      SHRI JAMYANG TSERING NAMGYAL:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Non-Governmental  Organizations  (NGOs)  of  Buddhist Monastic  (Gonpa)  Institutions,  which  are  imparting  Nalanda  Tradition  of Education,  are  functional  in  the  country,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along with the curriculum and other activities being promoted by such Buddhist Gonpas/Monastic Institutions, State/ UT-wise;
- (b) the population of Indian citizen Buddhist Monks and Nuns studying/living in such Institutions, State/UTwise;
- (c) Whether the Government has any scheme of financial aid to support the education,  medical  and  other  expenses  of  Buddhist  Monks  and  Nuns studying under such Monastic Institutions in the country;
- (d)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  Buddhist  Monks  who  are residing in abroad;
- (e) the total population of Buddhist Monks and Nuns of Ladakh residing in various Gonpas  in  Leh  and  Kargil District and  studying in various institutions in the country, age-wise; and
- (f)  whether  Union  Territory  of  Ladakh  has  any  scheme  to  support  the education,  scholarship,  medical  and  other  livelihood  requirements  of Buddhist Monks and Nuns and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 5313 FOR 05.04.2022

(a) to (f): The  data  pertaining  to  the  'Non-Governmental  Organizations (NGOs)  of  Buddhist  Monastic  (Gonpa)  Institutions,  which  are  imparting Nalanda Tradition of Education' is not maintained by the Ministry of Home Affairs.  However,  the  Ministry  of  Culture  administers  the  following  4 Buddhist educational Organizations:

- i. Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS), Leh, UT of Ladakh  (Deemed To Be University);
2. ii.
3. Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Nalanda, Bihar (Deemed To Be University);
- iii. Central  Institute  of  Higher  Tibetan  Studies  (CIHTS),  Sarnath,  Uttar Pradesh (Deemed To Be University); and
- iv. Central Institute of Himalayan Culture Studies (CIHCS), Dahung, Arunachal Pradesh.

The  CIBS  has  been  imparting  Nalanda  Tradition  of  Education  to  its students  since  its  inception.  CIBS  also  runs  50  feeder  schools  (Gonpa Schools) in different Monasteries/Nunneries of Ladakh, J&K and Himachal Pradesh to provide the basic elementary education to the youth monks/nuns. The Institute has also established eight intuitional fellowships   for   Research   Scholars.   The   research   works   are   being

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 5313 FOR 05.04.2022

conducted  in  different  subjects,  i.e.,  Buddhist  Philosophy,  Himalayan Buddhist Culture and related areas.

The Census collects religion wise population figures but it does not show data  reportedly  on  Indian  citizen  Buddhist  monks  and  nuns.  Details  of religion-wise population are available online at https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/Religion\_pca/RL-0000.xlsx . The data regarding  the  Buddhist  Monks  who  are  residing  abroad  is  also  not maintained by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The Ministry of Culture also administers 'Scheme of Financial Assistance for  the  Development  of  Buddhist/Tibetan  Cultural  and  Art'.   Under  this scheme, Buddhist/Tibetan organizations including Monasteries engaged in the  propagation  and  scientific  development  of  Buddhist/Tibetan  Culture and  tradition,  located  in  any  part  of  the  country  are  given  financial assistance.

Stipend  to  the  students  for  Gonpa  School  @  Rs.  935/-  per  month  is  also provided by CIBS. Besides, text books and note books are provided to the students every year free of cost as they are all ST students.

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