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Tibetan scholar receives India's Padma Shri award

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Professor Geshe Ngawang Samten and Smith professor Jay Garfield with the Dalai Lama in an undated photo.File photo/Photographer unknown

A Tibetan scholar was among the recipients of this year’s Padma Shri award for his contributions in the field of literature, according to the web site of the Tibetan government-in-exile .

Prof Geshe Ngawang Samten, a Tibetan scholar and vice-chancellor of the Central University of Tibetan Studies (CUTS), Sarnath, was honoured with the Padma Shri on 26 January, the 60th Republic Day of India.

Padma Shri Award is given by the Government of India generally to Indian citizens to recognize their distinguished contribution in various spheres of activity including the arts, education, industry, literature, science, sports, social service and public life. The word “Padma” in sanskrit means “Lotus”. The award is fourth highest civilian awards after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan.

A total of 133 Padma awards were announced for this year. There were 10 Padma Vibhushan recipients, 30 Padma Bhushan and 93 Padma Shri.

Prof Geshe Ngawang Samten, born on 7 July 1956 in Dokhar, Central Tibet, completed his school education at the Central Schools for Tibetans, Chandragiri, Orissa, India, from 1963-1970.

He earned his Shastri (Under graduate), Acharya (Graduate), Master of Philosophy and PhD from CUTS.

Geshe Samten completed his monastic education at Gaden Shastse Monastery in India, during whihc he received Rabjampa degree (BA equivalent) in 1994, Geshe Dhorampa degree (MA equivalent) in 1995 and Geshe Lharampa degree, the highest degree in traditional Tibetan Buddhist educational system, equivalent to Doctorate in Literature in the modern system, in 1997.

Prior to taking charge as the vice-chancellor of CUTS in 2001, Geshe Samten served as the institute’s research assistant and editor, visiting professor and professor at Tilak Maharashtra Vidhyapeeth.

Geshe Samten has held visiting professorships at Hampshire College, Massechusettes, US, University of Tasmania, Amherst College and Smith College, MA, US, from 1996-2000.

Apart from participating in various conferences, seminars, workshops in India and abroad, he has delivered talks in various universities, colleges and institutions in the United States, Europe, Australia, Russia and India.

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