Dialogue XXXIX Information

A note about our “Meeting Point.” Throughout our schedule you will see reference to the Meeting Point. This is our common meeting area, which is the parking area directly in front of Hotel Norbu House, next to Zambala House, and across the lane from Pema Thang Guesthouse. Mind & Life has arranged for Local Guides plus our Transportation Coordinator, Jack, to be present at the Meeting Point during our designated times to help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Monday, 13th October
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Guided Walking Tours of the Village of McLeod Ganj
Welcome to McLeod Ganj! After you check-in to your hotel, stretch your legs and join our Local Guides on a casual walking loop tour of the heart of the village. Upon departure, you’ll head down the walking path, towards the main gate of the Tsuglagkhang Temple complex. This will be the route you will take the next four mornings for our Dialogue (Tues-Thur) and time with His Holiness (Fri). From there, you’ll walk up Temple Road, passing by a few key eating and shopping spots before looping back on Hotel Bhagsu Road to our Meeting Point. 
Location: Our local guides will depart every 15 min from the Meeting Point—join the group as it suits you. 

4:30 pm – 5:00 pm | Welcome Talk by Thupten Jinpa
Join Mind & Life Board Chair and His Holiness’ long-time primary English translator, Thupten Jinpa, in this informal talk where he will share highlights of Tibetan culture and what guests can expect to experience over the next few days. Thupten Jinpa is a Tibetan Buddhist scholar, former monk, and an academic of religious studies and both Eastern and Western philosophy.
Location: Hotel Norbu House, Peace Hall located on the 6th floor

5:00 pm – 5:30 pm | Contemplative Practice
His Eminence Khangser Rinpoche is considered one of the greatest Buddhist teachers of the modern age. He serves as the vice abbot of Gyuto Monastery and is the founder and administrative head of Thangkar Dechen Choling Monastic Institute, Nepal. He is one of three high lamas responsible for recognizing the rebirth of the spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He will offer a talk and will guide a contemplative practice.
Location: Hotel Norbu House, Peace Hall located on the 6th floor

5:30 pm – 7:30 pm | Opening Celebration Dinner
Hosted by Suzanne Bond, Mind & Life Institute President; Thupten Jinpa, Mind & Life Institute Board Chair; Gábor Karsai, Mind & Life Europe Managing Director; and, Amy Varela, Mind & Life Europe Board Chair. As this event is in the open air, please dress accordingly.
Location: Hotel Norbu House, Main Veranda

Tuesday, 14th October
7:15 am – 7:45 am | Contemplative Time with Martijn van Beek
Start your morning with an intentional practice, guided by Martijn van Beek. Martijn is a Mind & Life Europe Board Member and Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Aarhus University, Denmark. Martijn teaches sustainable ways of living and contemplative life in context, in theory, and in practice at Aarhus University and elsewhere.
Location: Hotel Norbu House, Peace Hall located on the 6th floor

8:45 am – 9:15 am | Guided Kora Walk to the Dalai Lama Library and Archives (DLLA) for the Day 1 of the Dialogue
If you wish to join others in navigating the walk to the DLLA, the Local Guides will point the way between 8:45 and 9:15. This walk is approximately 1.5 km, please allow sufficient time based on your walking pace. A note regarding The Kora: The Kora is a sacred walking path that loops around the Dalai Lama’s temple (Tsuglagkhang). Follow the clockwise flow; quiet reflection is customary.
Location: Starting from our Meeting Point, our local guides will be stationed along the route to guide you. Look for team members in Mind & Life sweatshirts.

Dialogue XXXIX Day 1 | Dalai Lama Library and Archives (DLLA)
9:30 am – 10:00 am | Morning Welcome
10:00 am – 12:00 pm | Session 1 Minds | H. E. Khangser Rinpoche, Shaun Gallagher, Murray Shanahan; with Marc-Henri Deroche, facilitator
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm | Lunch
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm | Session 2 (Dis)Entanglement & Meaningful Relationships | Peter Hershock, Anat Perry, Geshe Lodoe Sangpo; with Kate Nave, facilitator
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm | Meditation | Jack Kornfield

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Guided Kora Walk to the Tsuglagkhang Temple Complex
If you wish to join others in navigating the walk to the temple complex and back to the hotels, the Local Guides will point the way between 4:00 and 5:00. A note about the temple complex: On your own, you’re welcome to explore the grounds, including the courtyard, the gate to the Private Residence, and the second-floor Kalachakra Temple and Main Temple.
Location: Starting from the DLLA, our local guides will be stationed along the route to guide you. Look for team members in Mind & Life sweatshirts. For the best experience, buddy up with a guest who has previously been to McLeod Ganj.

5:30 pm – 6:00 pm | Meeting Time for Coordinated Dinners
Meet-up with other guests at the Meeting Point from 5:30 pm – 6:00 pm to then continue to the dining spot of your choice. Our Local Guides will assist you with recommendations and coordination of groups. Do you already have a group formed? Consider stopping by the Meeting Point to invite a few more guests to join you.
Location: Meeting Point to organize and then to walk in groups to your restaurant of choice. Please have the recommended cafe/restaurants map with you. Tip: While on wifi, download the google map for McLeod Ganj.

Wednesday, 15th October
7:15 am – 7:45 am | Contemplative Time with Bobbie Patterson
Start your morning with an intentional practice, guided by Bobbi Patterson. Bobbi is a member of Mind & Life’s Research and Programs Council and Professor Emerita in the Department of Religion at Emory University, USA. An Episcopal priest, Bobbi’s work integrates Christian contemplation, Buddhist meditation, contemplative pedagogy, the role of place, and adaptive resilience. Her talk is simply “Amazing, morning!”
Location: Hotel Norbu House, Peace Hall located on the 6th floor

8:45 am – 9:15 am | Guided Kora Walk to the Dalai Lama Library and Archives (DLLA) for the Day 2 of the Dialogue
If you wish to join others in navigating the walk to the DLLA, the Local Guides will point the way between 8:45 and 9:15. This walk is approximately 1.5 km, please allow sufficient time based on your walking pace. A note regarding The Kora: The Kora is a sacred walking path that loops around the Dalai Lama’s temple (Tsuglagkhang). Follow the clockwise flow; quiet reflection is customary.
Location: Starting from our Meeting Point, our local guides will be stationed along the route to guide you. Look for team members in Mind & Life sweatshirts.

Dialogue XXXIX Day 2 | Dalai Lama Library and Archives (DLLA)
9:30 am – 10:00 am | Morning Welcome
10:00 am – 12:00 pm | Session 3 Collective Narratives & Possible Futures | Thupten Jinpa, Luc Steels, Emily Bender; with Molly Crockett, facilitator
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | Lunch
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm | Session 4 Diversity & Ethics | Iason Gabriel, Merve Hickok, Geshe Thabkhe, Sasha Luccioni; with Geshe Lodoe Sangpo, facilitator

3:00 pm | Car Departure for The Tibet Museum
3:45 pm – 5:15 pm | The Tibet Museum
The Tibet Museum is located in the Central Tibetan Administration, the seat of the exiled Tibetan government. The Tibet Museum’s permanent exhibition is “I am Tibetan and This Is My Story.” Through objects, archives, photographs, and personal testimonies the museum highlights Tibet’s historical, political, and international importance by showcasing the culture, recent history in exile, and the teachings and legacy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The museum also has a display wall on the significance of the Mind & Life Dialogues!
Location: Cars will depart the DLLA at 3:00 pm. The estimated time of return to the hotels is 6:00 pm. Please note that the car ride is longer due to the road closure of Jogiwara Road. Thank you for your extra time in supporting this important excursion. The Tibet Museum has graciously agreed to extend their evening hours to accommodate our group.

6:00 pm – 6:30 pm | Meeting Time for Coordinated Dinners
Meet-up with other guests at the Meeting Point from 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm to then continue to the dining spot of your choice. Our Local Guides will assist you with recommendations and coordination of groups. Do you already have a group formed? Consider stopping by the Meeting Point to invite a few more guests to join you.
Location: Meeting Point to organize and then to walk in groups to your restaurant of choice. Please have the recommended cafe/restaurants map with you. Tip: While on wifi, download the google map for McLeod Ganj.

Thursday, 16th October
4:00 am | Car Departure for Gyuto Monastery
5:00 am – 7:00 am | Morning Prayer Session at Gyuto Monastery with the Gyuto Monks Tantric Choir
This early morning excursion (approximate 50-minute drive) will be a special treat as our time in Dharamsala coincides with the Gyuto Monks Tantric Choir being in residence at Gyuto Monastery. The Gyuto Monks Tantric Choir is known for their unique tradition of overtone singing which allows them to chant more than one pitch at a time. They were nominated for a Grammy in 2011. As this is a prayer session, guests will be seated on floor cushions and expected to remain for the duration of the approximately two hour long session. Gyuto Monastery showcases a beautiful temple that is among Dharamsala’s most photographed.
Location: Due to the early hour, cars will pick-up guests at both the Meeting Piont and at the entrance to Yewang House. After the session, cars will return guests to the hotels. Estimated time of return is 7:45 am.

Dialogue XXXIX Day 3 | Dalai Lama Library and Archives (DLLA)
9:30 am – 10:00 am | Morning Welcome
10:00 am – 12:00 pm | Session 5 Education | Ani Choyang, Robert Cummings, Chiara Mascarello; with, Marieke van Vugt, facilitator
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm | Lunch
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm | Closing Summary | Luc Steels, facilitator
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm | Meditation | Ani Choyang, Geshe Lodoe Sangpo, Geshe Thabkhe

5:15 pm – 5:45 pm | Meeting Time for Coordinated Dinners
Note the shorter time for dining due to TIPA performance. Meet-up with other guests at the Meeting Point from 5:15 pm – 5:45 pm to then continue to the dining spot of your choice. Our Local Guides will assist you with recommendations and coordination of groups. Do you already have a group formed? Consider stopping by the Meeting Point to invite a few more guests to join you.
Location: Meeting Point to organize and then to walk in groups to your restaurant of choice. Please have the recommended cafe/restaurants map with you. Tip: While on wifi, download the google map for McLeod Ganj.

6:40 pm | Car Departure for the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA)
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm | Cultural Show at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts
The Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) is one of the pioneering cultural institutes established through the vision of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Based in Dharamsala, the institute aims to preserve and promote Tibetan musical heritage, dance, and associated arts. This special performance is arranged for Mind & Life guests by the Dalai Lama Trust and TIPA.
Location: Cars will depart the Meeting Point at 6:40 pm for the short, 10 min car ride to TIPA. Estimated time of return is 8:00 pm.

Friday, 17th October
8:00 am | Local Guides in place to guide guests to the Private Residence
8:45 am | Security Processing for entrance to the Private Residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. All guests should have their security badge, passport, and Indian visas. In addition to a metal detector, guests should expect a full pat-down by same gendered security guards, plus a hands-on examination of all items taken into the venue. Please limit your belongings. Phones and cameras are not permitted and will be held at the security office.
TBD | Audience and Photo with His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Location: Security Gate of the Temple

10:30 am | Cars depart for Norbulingka Institute from the security gate
11:30 am | Norbulingka Institute—Guided tours of artisans workshops
12:30 pm | Norbulingka Institute—Lunch in the beautiful gardens (weather permitting)
1:30 pm | Norbulingka Institute—Shopping and Tour of the Temple (on own)
Norbulingka keeps centuries old Tibetan traditions alive in content, form, and process by providing apprenticeships in traditional Tibetan art forms and making Tibetan experience accessible for contemporary lifestyle. Following the tour and lunch there will be time to visit the Norbulingka shop.
Location: Cars will depart from the Security Gate of the Temple

2:00 pm | Walk to Dolma Ling Nunnery
2:15 pm – 3:30 pm | Tour and Learning Session at Dolma Ling Nunnery
Guided tour and learning session with nuns who have participated in Mind & Life’s Summer Research Institute, highlighting their modern science curriculum and how it complements monastic studies.
Location: Starting from the entrance to Norbulingka, our local guides will be stationed along the route to guide you to Dolma Ling Nunnery (10-15 min walk). Following our time at the nunnery, cars will return to our hotels. The estimated time of return is 4:30 pm.

5:30 pm – 7:30 pm | Closing Reception and Light Dinner
Location: Hotel Norbu House, Main Veranda