Talks & Presentations

Lopen Karma Phuntsho regularly gives lectures to University students and the general public on the following topics and also leads meditation sessions.

  • Buddhist Theory and Practice
  • Buddhist Economy and Bodhisattva Entrepreneurship
  • Gross National Happiness
  • Bhutan’s History and Culture

ACADEMIC COURSES

Aug 2016: Reading Heart Sūtra, Diamond Sūtra and other Essential Buddhist Prayers, Loden Foundation

June 2014: Reading of the 2nd Chapter of Pramāṇavārttika, Loden Foundation

May, 2013: Education and culture in Bhutan, Universal Learn Today, New Delhi (One day course)

2012 – 2013: Buddhism and Inner Asia, Department of Social Anthropology (one term course jointly with Dr Hildegard Diemberger)

June, 2012: Buddhist Culture, Institute of Language and Culture Studies, Taktse (Three day course)

March, 2005: Connaissance du Bouddhisme, Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales, Paris (Three day course)

2004 – 2005: Indo-Tibetan Buddhism: Its Philosophies and Practices, in the Department of Social Anthropology, Cambridge University (Eight week programme)

Autumn, 2004: Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Theory and Practice, as part of Core Lectures for the Faculty of Theology and Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies, Oxford University (Eight week course)

2001 – 2002: Introduction to Buddhism, Oxford University Buddhist Society, Oxford (Eight week lecture series)

1991 – 1997: Taught Buddhism and its various aspects in the medium of Tibetan and Dzongkha, including thorough and complete commentarial exposition of major treatise such as Abhidharmakoṣa, Mūlamadhyamakakārikā, Madhyamakālamkāra, Pramāṇavārttika, Pratimoksasūtra, Madhyamakāvatāra, Mahãyãnottaratantraśāstra, Bodhicaryāvatāra (six times), Entry into the Way of the Wise and Steps to Valid Reasoning. 

NON-ACADEMIC COURSES

April, 2024: Pedagogy and Research Methods, Kharchu Monastery, Bumthang (Three day workshop).

Oct, 2023: Wellbeing Retreat, Thasos, Greece (Three day spiritual retreat).

Aug-Sep, 2023: Bodhicaryāvatāra, Bodhitse, Thimphu (Two month daily teaching).

Sep, 2022: Delving into the Dragon, Hungary (Three day spiritual retreat).

Oct, 2017: Bodhicitta, Two Truths Spiritual Retreat, Bumthang (Three day course)

Nov, 2016: Buddhist Spirituality and Bhutan, Two Truths Spiritual Retreat, Bumthang (Two day course)

Dec, 2014: Leader for Neykor Spiritual Immersion Course, Bhutan (Two week course)

Sep-Oct 2013: Ethnographic documentation and research, Shejun Agency for Bhutan’s Cultural Documentation and Research, Thimphu (One month training)

Nov, 2008-11: Tibetan Buddhism and Bhutan, Australian Studying Abroad, Bhutan  (Two week series)

July, 2008: Food and Culture in Bhutan, Smithsonian Folk life Festival, Washington DC (Ten day programme)

Oct, 2007 : Translation Workshop: Theory and Practice, Institute of Language and Culture Studies, Thimphu (Three week programme)

June-July, 2007: Introducing Buddhist Theory and Practice, Deer Park, Thimphu (Five week programme)

May, 2006: Buddhism, Emptiness and the Non-sectarian Movement, Institute of Language and Culture Studies, Thimphu (Three day course)

Feb, 2005: The Relative and Ultimate Bodhicitta, Palyul Centre, London (Weekend course)

Aug, 2004: Developing an Enlightened Outlook: An Introduction to Buddhist Philosophies, Principles and Practices, Centre for Bhutan Studies, Thimphu (Three day course)

Summer, 2004: Developing the Buddhist Outlook, Palyul Centre, London (Eight week programme)

1994-97: Reading of numerous Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna texts with academic researchers.

LANGUAGE COURSES

2015 – : Classical Tibetan to Bhutanese students

2005 – 2007: Beginner’s Classical Tibetan to students at Cambridge

2002 – 2003: Reading of Classical Tibetan texts, Oxford

1993 – 1997: Tibetan grammar and poetry to Tibetan students

1994 – 1997: Basic English to Buddhist monks

REGULAR TALKS

2020 – Now: Host, Buddha-Nature Conversations (with leading Buddhist teachers and masters) at Buddha Nature

2012 – Now: Regular lecturer on Bhutan’s history, culture, society and Buddhism, (over 35 sessions) for School for Field Studies, Paro, and for international faculty and students at Royal Thimphu College, Thimphu.

2005 – Now: Regular speaker on Bhutan’s History, Culture, Society, Buddhism, Art, GNH (over a 150 sessions) for guests of tour companies such as Six Senses, Aman, Windhorse, Yangphel, Trans Bhutan Trail, Tashi Tours, TingKarr Bhutan Journeys, Hada Tours, Two Truths, Bhutan Travel Bureau, My Bhutan, etc.

2001 – Now: Introduction to Ura Yakchoe Festival, every year.

2017 – 2022: Host, Bhutan Dialogues, UN Bhutan and Loden Foundation, Thimphu

2012 – 2019: Opening and closing remarks on Bodhisattva Entrepreneurship and Buddhist Economy annually at Bhutan Entrepreneurship Festival and other related events.

SOCAIL MEDIA TALKS & PRESENTATIONS

2012 – now: Regularly post essays, articles and comments on Facebook, some of which receive over hundred shares.

2016 – now: One of the four resource persons for a local Wechat group called Shebya Rigtshol dedicated to learning Buddhism and Bhutanese Culture with over 1500 members.

Jan – July 2017: Conducted the course Introduction to Buddhism for Neykor Wechat Group every week for eight weeks.

SUPERVISIONS & EXAMNATIONS

2010 – 2017: Given tutorials and supervised graduate students at Oxford, Cambridge, Budapest, Hamburg and Thimphu.

2013 – 2017: Supervised and mentored five business projects.

2014: Examined two MA and one D.Phil. thesis and conducted several vica voce.

LECTURES & PRESENTATIONS

June, 2024The Life and Works of Kyotön Monlam Tsultrim, Tsadra Buddha-Nature Conversations, online.
May, 2024Buddhism in Business, University of Canberra Exchange Programme, RIM, Thimphu.
May, 2025Avalokiteshvara and Om mani padme hum, Bhutan Pranic Healing Happiness Festival, Thimphu.
May, 2026Padmasambhava and Vajraguru Mantra, Bhutan Pranic Healing Happiness Festival, Thimphu.
May, 2027The Socio-Cultural Changes in Bhutan, Magyar-Bhutani Barati Tarsashag, online.
May, 2028Bhutan’s Socio-cultural Changes, Visiting Students from University of Pennsylvania, Thimphu
May, 2029Mindfulness Meditation, Harvard Visitors, Institute of Happiness, Thimphu
Oct, 2023Śāntideva’s Mahāyāna Discourse, Dharma Gate College, Budapest.
Oct, 2023Culture and Nature: Bhutan’s Story of Environment Conservation, CYA, Athens.
Oct, 2023Changes and Challenges in Bhutan: The Case of a Pastoral Festival, INALCO, Paris
Oct, 2023Saang: Ura’s Festival of Women, Loden Education Trust, London.
Oct, 2023Social Cultural Changes in Bhutan, Hungarian-Bhutan Friendship Association, Budapest.
Oct, 2023Reflecting on Bhutan’s Spirituality, Culture and History, Austrian Academy of Social Sciences, Vienna.
Aug, 2023Revitalizing Cultural Landscapes and Landmarks, Bhutan Echoes, Thimphu.
June, 2023Kyotön Monlam Tsultrim’s Life and Legacy, Conference on Buddha-Nature, Kathmandu.
June, 2023Tsadra Foundation’s Digital Resources for Buddhist Studies, Conference on Buddha-Nature, Kathmandu.
April, 2022The Life of Guru Rinpoche, Bhutan Echoes, Thimphu.
Nov, 2022Keynote address, Research in Humanities and Data Analysis, Research Workshop, Tago Buddhist University and Taktse College of Language and Culture Studies.
Nov, 2022Bhutan’s Culture and History, Darmouth College Students, Thimphu.
Sep, 2022Padmasambhava and Bhutan, Royal Bhutan Mission, Geneva.
Sep, 2022Buddhist Entrepreneurship, House of Religions, Bern.
Sep, 2022Culture, Society and Change: Bhutan’s Journey in the 21st Century – Challenges and Opportunities, Society-Switzerland Bhutan, Zurich.
Sep, 2022Educating for the Future: Values and Challenges, Summit of Bhutan Friendship Associations, Budapest.
Aug, 2022Big Myths and Superstitions that Encourage Wildlife Trade and Poaching, Bhutan Ecological Society, Thimphu.
July, 2022Buddha-Nature and Dying, Conference of the International Association of Tibetan and Himalayan Studies, Prague.
Nov, 2021Four Noble Truths: the Buddha’s Strategy for Problem Solving, JSW Law College, Thimphu.
Sep, 2021Harnessing Civil Society Potential, Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy, Thimphu.
Sep, 2021The Buddha’s Practical Approach to Life Management, National Pension and Provident Fund, Thimphu.
June, 2021Bridging Worldviews in Bhutan, 2021 Sustainability Research and Innovation Congress
April, 2021Bhutan’s Medieval Missions: What can we learn from them?, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thimphu
Dec, 2020Reimagining the Future of Business from Buddhist Perspective, Mandalay Forum for East Asian Studies, Myanmar.
Nov, 2020Earthquake in Bhutan Himalayas, Drukrig Network
Nov, 2020After Pandemic: Bhutan Society and Resilience, RTC
Oct, 2020Health Policy Dialogue, Khesar Gyalpo University,
Sep, 2020Launch of Buddha Nature Website, Tsadra Foundation
Sep, 2020The Culture of Enterprise, DYS and Loden
Feb, 2020Public Service at a Point of Transition, Royal Institute of Management
Feb, 2020Mindful Production and Consumption, Motithang School, Thimphu
Nov, 2019Social Entrepreneurship in Bhutan, Bhutan Friendship Associations, Thimphu.
Oct, 2019Activating Ancient ICH for New Situations, ICHCAP, South Korea.
July, 2019Entrepreneurship – An Inner Journey, Bhutan Economic Forum for Innovative Transformation, Royal Monetary Authority, Thimphu.
July, 2019Padmasambhava in Bhutan: A Reapprisal, IATS conference, Paris.
June, 2019Longchenpa’s Four Cherished Points and Śāntideva’s Four Forms of Mindfulness, Palyul Centre, London.
June, 2019Cultural Research and Applications in Bhutan, Clare Hall, Cambridge.
May, 2019Human Capital and Gender, World Bank Office, Nepal.
April, 2019Mahākāla and Magic in the Making of Bhutan, Rubin Museum of Art
April, 2019More than Monkeys in the Forest: Historical Consciousness and Historiography in Bhutan, Columbia University
Mar, 2019Stories from Bhutan: Cultural Research and Social Enterprise, SOAS
Mar, 2019Social Entrepreneurship, Gedu College of Business, Gedu
Feb, 2019Buddhism as Mind Science, Royal Institute of Management, Thimphu
Jan, 2019Padmasambhava: An Object of Ritual and Realisation, IIC, New Delhi
Jan, 2019The Buddha in Business, Open House by Hard Cover, Bangkok
Jan, 2019Echoes from Bhutan: Sneak Peek into its Literature and Culture, Brahmaputra Literary Festival, Guwahati
Jan, 2019Travelling from East to West: Buddhism in the Modern World, Brahmaputra Literary Festival, Guwahati
Oct, 2018Buddhist Enterpreneurs, Royal Institute of Management, Thimphu
Oct, 2018Buddhism and Enterprise, School of Traditional Arts and Crafts, Thimphu
Oct, 2018Bhutan, Change and Challenges, Blue Poppy Group, Thimphu
Sep, 2018Bhutanese Buddhism, Wheaton Alumni Group, Thimphu
July, 2018Understanding Bhutan’s Buddhist culture, Early Learning Centre, Thimphu
May, 2018From Sacred to Scientific: Bhutan’s Shifting Worldviews and Nature Conservation, Dendrochronology Conference, Thimphu
May, 2018Bhutan’s Cultural Evolution, Royal Thimphu College, Thimphu
May, 2018Bodhisattva Entrepreneurs, GNH Centre and Schumacher College, Thimphu
April, 2018Analysing Textual Data, College of Language and Culture Studies, Taktse
April, 2018What Makes Us Bhutanese: Cultural Evolution and Identity, College of Language and Culture Studies, Taktse
April, 2018Culture and Social Entrepreneurship, Royal Thimphu College, Thimphu
March, 2018Padmasambhava in Bhutan, Rubin Museum, New York
March, 2018New Problems, Old Solutions: Culture and Sustainable Development in Bhutan, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
March, 2018From Psyche to Cyber Space: Digitisation of Bhutan’s Cultures, Association of Asian Studies, Washington DC.
March, 2018Earthquake in Bhutan Himalayas: Historical Records and Cultural Beliefs, Bristol University, UK
Feb, 2018Buddhist Entrepreneurship, GNH Centre, Thimphu
Feb, 2018Value Education, Motithang High School, Thimphu
Oct, 2017The Buddha as a Management Guru, Self-made Influential Leaders, College of Science and Technology, Bhutan
Sep, 2017Early History of Drukpa Kagyu in Bhutan, Royal Thimphu College, Thimphu
Sep, 2017Bhutan’s Culture of Care and Compassion, Japan Society for Spiritual Care, Kyoto
Aug, 2017Innovation and Enterprise, Ibest Annual Celebration
Aug, 2017The Buddha and Bhutan’s Buddhist Culture, Young President’s Organisation, Thimphu
July, 2017Buddhism and Entrepreneurship in Bhutan, Entrepreneurs’ Organisation
May, 2017Mindfulness and Social Work, CSO Leadership Workshop, Thimphu
April, 2017Conservation on Right Livelihood, with Satish Kumar, Right Livelihood Programme, Thimphu
April, 2017Culture and Evolution, National Council of Bhutan, Thimphu
March, 2017Buddhism and Sustainable Development, Right Livelihood Programme, GNH Centre, Thimphu
March, 2017Entrepreneurship in Bhutan, Presidents of the Chamber of Indian Industries, Thimphu
Jan, 2017Buddhism and History of Bhutan, Guide Trainees, Institute of Professional Studies, Thimphu
Nov, 2016Entrepreneurship and Sustainability, Closing note, Global Entrepreneurship Week, Thimphu
Nov, 2016The Business Buddha, Global Entrepreneurship Week, Thimphu
Nov, 2016Cultivating Body, Speech and Mind, U-turn Youth Forum, Thimphu
Nov, 2016Bhutan in Transition, Oxford Alumni Group, Thimphu
Oct, 2016Mapping Bhutan’s Historical and Cultural Evolution: A Proposal for a Common Nomenclature, International Conference on Archaeology, History and Cultural Studies, Sherubtse
Aug, 2016Culture and Sustainability, Intangible Cultural Heritage Meeting, Goa, India
July, 2016Strengths and Weaknesses of Himalayan Buddhist Traditions, Vajrayana Conference, Thimphu
March, 2016Gross National Happiness, Gangteng Shedra
Feb, 2016,Gross National Happiness, Bhutan Visit Group, Thimphu
Feb, 2016Developing Head, Heart and Hands: Buddhism and Youth, Haiku Camp, Bhutan
Nov, 2015Social Entrepreneurship in Bhutan, keynote, Royal Institute Management, Thimphu
Nov, 2015The Buddha in Business, Global Entrepreneurship Week, Thimphu
Oct, 2015Bhutan’s Written Heritage, during Seminar on Manuscript Studies and Textual Research, Thimphu
Aug, 2015The Situation and Prospects of Dzongkha, (Keynote address), Annual Dzongkha Conference, Thimphu
July, 2015Having an Interview, The Loden Foundation, Thimphu
June, 2015Reading and Dzongkha, BBS, Thimphu
June, 2015Mentors as a Spiritual Guru, The Loden Foundation
June, 2015Bhutan’s Archival Tradition and Needs, International Archive Day, National Library and Archive of Bhutan, Thimphu
May, 2015Buddhism and Entrepreneurship, GNHC Study Group, Thimphu
May, 2015Reading and Writing, School for Language and Cultural Studies, Thimphu
May, 2015Reading, Motithang School, Thimphu
March, 2015Buddhist Critical Thinking and Madhaymika Tradition, (Eminent Speaker Series), Royal Institute of Management, Thimphu
Jan, 2015Buddhism and Happiness, Philosophical Society US, Thimphu
Dec, 2014Bhutan and GNH, World Wildlife Fund, Thimphu
Dec, 2014Buddhist Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurs’ Organisation, Thimphu
Nov, 2014Harnessing the Mind Power, Global Entrepreneurship Week, Thimphu
Nov, 2015Buddhism and Educational Theories and Practices, Royal Academy, Paro
Sep, 2014From Poti to Pixels, Tibetan Buddhist Resource Center, Boston
Sep, 2014From Oral to Audio-Visual, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Aug, 2014Reincarnation and Truelku, Institute of Language and Culture Studies, Taktse
Aug, 2014The Traditional Culture of the Book, Institute of Language and Culture Studies, Taktse
Aug, 2014The History of Buddhist Ideas, Institute of Language and Culture Studies, Taktse
June, 2014Bhutan History, School for Field Studies, Thimphu
May, 2014Buddhism and Democracy, Institute of Language and Cultural Studies, Taktse
May, 2014GNH and Cultural Preservation, Secretariat for New Development Paradigm
Jan, 2014GNH and Economy, GNH youth camp, Thimphu
Dec, 2013Culture and Community, Media Nomads, Thimphu
Sep, 2013Buddhism, Democracy and Disfranchisement of Religious Persons, (Distinguished Guest Lecture Series) Royal Thimphu College, Thimphu
May, 2013Bhutan’s Cultural Transition, Closing address for conference, Leveraging Bhutan’s Cultural Diversity, Thimphu
Dec, 2012Buddhist Values in Business, Brussels
April, 2012Perceptions of Buddhist Art in the Himalayas, Buddhist Art Forum, Courtauld Institute of Art, London
Jan, 2012From Poti to Pixels: Documenting Bhutan’s Textual Heritage, Hamburg University
Sep, 2011The Journeys of the Thunder Dragon: Bhutan’s transition from a medieval country to a postmodern happiness state, Hungarian-Bhutan Friendship Society, Budapest
March, 2011The Journeys of the Thunder Dragon: Socio-cultural changes in Bhutan, Society Switzerland-Bhutan, Zurich
Feb, 2011Wisdom, Knowledge or Both: The Changing Ethos of Education in Bhutan, Education Department, Oxford University
Dec, 2010Mind or/and Brain: Response to Brain Scientists, Conference on Science and Spirituality and Education, Namgyal Institute, Gangtok
May, 2009Buddhism and GNH in Bhutan, International Buddhist Film Festival, London
Oct, 2008Multidisciplinary Approach in Himalayan Studies: The Case of the Book, Buddhist Himalaya: Studies in Religion, History and Culture, conference at Namgyal Institute, Gangtok
Sep, 2008Bodhicitta: The Bodhisattva’s Selfless Love, Cambridge Buddhist Society, Cambridge
April, 2008The Buddha’s Pragmatism, Royal Institute of Management, Thimphu
Oct, 2007Buddhism and Happiness, Graduate Orientation Programme, Thimphu
March, 2007New Life from Old Books: The Rare Tibetan and Mongolian Manuscripts Project, (with Drs Stephen Hugh-Jones and Hildegard Diemberger) MIASU, Cambridge
Nov, 2006Holy Land, Neighbour or Big Brother: Bhutan’s Relations with India through Ages, Ancient India and Iran Trust, Cambridge
Nov, 2006Bhutan: The Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon, Clare Hall, Cambridge
Nov, 2006Strengths and Weaknesses of Tibetan Buddhist Traditions, SOAS, London
Oct, 2006Bhutan and Its Buddhist Heritage, Siam Society, Bangkok
Aug, 2006The Digitization of Manuscripts in Bhutan, 11th Seminar of IATS, Konigswinter
Aug, 2006The Rare Tibetan and Mongolian Manuscripts Project, 11th Seminar of IATS, Konigswinter
June, 2006The Marriage of Religion and Media: For Better or Worse, 2nd International Seminar of Bhutan Studies, Thimphu
Feb, 2006Understanding Tibetan Tantric Buddhism and Its Symbolism, Scholarship for Excellence, London
Feb, 2006Tibetan Buddhism, Interfaith Group, Milton Keynes
Nov, 2005Reason or Beyond: The Viability of Logic and Epistemology in Delineation of Emptiness, Buddhism in Logic and Analytical Philosophy Conference, Cambridge
Nov, 2005How Much Nothing Matters: Tibetan Controversies on Emptiness and Their Religious and Political Implications, Senior Seminars, Faculty of Divinity, Cambridge
Oct, 2005Taming the Mind There Never Was, Cambridge Buddhist Society
Sep, 2005The Digitization of Gangtey’s Manuscript Collection, 10th Seminar of International Association for Buddhist Studies, London
June, 2005Gangtey’s Untold Treasures, Conference on the Written Heritage of Bhutan, National Library, Thimphu
Feb, 2005Sectarian Violence, Message of Peace and the Rise of Ris-med Movement in Tibetan Religious History, Oriental Institute, Oxford
Nov, 2004Conflict and Conciliation in Tibetan Buddhist History, Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales, Paris
April, 2004Buddhism: An Education of the Mind, National Institute of Education, Paro, Bhutan
May, 2004Buddhism as an Art of Happiness, the Old Prebandal Home, Oxford
Jan, 2004’Ju Mipham’s Satirical Discourse on the Strengths and Weaknesses of Tibetan Buddhist Traditions, Maison de l’Asie, CNRS, Paris
Jan, 2004Capturing the Thunder Dragon: An Introduction to Bhutan’s Buddhist Culture, Scholarship for Excellence, London
Sep, 2003Opening the Door of Speech by Poking Fun at Others: ’Ju Mipham’s Qualms about dGe lugs pa Scholasticism, 10th Seminar of the International Association of Tibetan Studies, Oxford
Aug, 2003Echoes of Ancient Ethics: Some Reflections on Bhutanese Social Themes, 1st International Seminar on Bhutan Studies, Thimphu
March, 2003’Ju Mi pham and ’Brug pa Kun legs: Two Tibetan Religious Critics, Oriental Institute, Oxford
March, 2003Bhutan and its Changing Phases, The Old Prebandal Home, Oxford
Oct, 2002Emptiness and Being, Centre for Bhutan Studies, Thimphu
June, 2002’Ju Mi pham: A polymath and his debates with his dGe lugs pa opponents, Maison de l’Asie, ESA 8047, CNRS, Paris
June, 2002The Art of the Book in the Tibetan Buddhist World, Friends of the Bodleian Society, Oxford
May, 2002Bhutan and Globalization, Asia Society, New York
June, 2001The Concept of Buddhism, Sherubtse College, Bhutan
Aug, 2000Traditional Scholarship in Modern Bhutan: Current Educational Trends and their Impact on the Traditional Systems of Learning, South Asian Studies Conference, Edinburgh
Aug, 1999Is Seeing Believing? Mipham’s Theory of Perception in Dharmakïrti’s Epistemology, International Association for Buddhist Studies, Lausanne
April, 1999Michael Aris and Bhutan, Symposium on Bhutan, Telluride
Jan, 1999From Fundamentalism to Dialogue: A Buddhist Approach, Interfaith Dailogue, Oxford
Aug, 1998’Ju Mi pham and his Contributions to Tibetan Scholarship, Conference on Mipham, Himalayan and Inner Asian Resources, New York
Aug, 1998Satire and Humour in the Counsel of ’Ju Mipham, 8th Seminar of the International Association of Tibetan Studies, Bloomington
June, 1993Buddhist Love, Benedictine-Tibetan Monastic Dialogue Meeting, Bangalore
March, 1992Bringing together Islam and Buddhism, Islamic Youth Symposium, Bangalore
Jan, 1992A Tribute to Gandhi, Gandhi Martyr’s Day, Bangalore
Oct, 1992Rekindling the Light of Saddharma, Bouddha Dhamma Conference, Bombay
Oct, 1991Religious Experience and the Struggle for Justice, Freedom and Peace, World Conference of Religions, Kochi
June, 1990Buddhist Contribution in the Quest for Peace, International Buddhist Convention, Bangalore