ABOUT THE PROGRAM
About the Program
The Pali–Sanskrit International Bhikkhu Exchange Program, guided by "Buddhadhamma for Development and Peace" — One Sangha, Many Traditions.
Our Mission
The program is a collaboration among monks from many countries and Buddhist traditions, creating an international forum for deep shared learning and practice — strengthening the bond between the Pali and Sanskrit streams of the Dhamma.
- Carry forward Buddhism in its cultural diversity, learning from one another and linking many paths from past to present.
- Open channels of understanding and dialogue between Buddhism transmitted in Pali and in Sanskrit — in practice, scholarship, and culture.
- Dissolve the barriers of misunderstanding between different Dhamma traditions.
- Strengthen cooperation across traditions, jointly fostering world peace and the sustainability of Buddhism.
Our Story
The seed of this cross-tradition dialogue was planted in 1972, when His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited Suan Mokkhabalarama and conversed on the Dhamma with Buddhadasa Bhikkhu. That historic meeting between leaders of the Sanskrit and Pali streams inspires the exchange to this day.
The program is a five-year plan (2023–2027), inviting 15 monks each from the Pali and Sanskrit traditions of three countries — Thailand, Sri Lanka, and the Tibetan community in India — to visit one another, residing about 15 days per country in host monasteries: sharing daily monastic routine, Dhamma dialogue, and meditation practice.
Milestones
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1972
His Holiness the Dalai Lama visits Suan Mokkh and converses with Buddhadasa Bhikkhu — the seed of inspiration.
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2023
Year 1 — Opening ceremony at Wat Pa Buddhagaya, India; study visits to Drepung Gomang & Loseling monasteries in South India; exchanges at Wat Phra Ram 9 and Wat Mahaeyong in Thailand.
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2024
Year 2 — Pali-tradition monks from Thailand and Sri Lanka visit Sera Monastery, Bylakuppe, South India; the Sanskrit-tradition delegation visits Thailand — Wat Suvarnabhumi Buddhajayanti, Wat Mahaeyong, Suan Mokkhabalarama, Wat Sri Thawee, and Suan Mokkh Bangkok.
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2025
Year 3 — Pali-tradition monks from Sri Lanka and Thailand join Sanskrit-tradition monks from India, Tibet, and Bhutan for activities across India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
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2026
Year 4 — Exchange journey: India (Bodh Gaya, Varanasi, Tibetan monasteries in the south) → Thailand (Ayutthaya, Sakon Nakhon, Udon Thani, Bangkok) → Sri Lanka.
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2027
Year 5 — Now recruiting 15 Thai monks. See the announcement →
Partner Temples & Institutions
- Wat Thai Buddhagaya (India)
- Wat Thai Nalanda (India)
- Wat Mahaeyong, Ayutthaya
- Wat Pa Somphanat, Sakon Nakhon
- Wat Pa Phurithatta Thirawat (Ban Nong Phue), Sakon Nakhon
- Wat Kesorn Silakhun (Wat Pa Ban Tat), Udon Thani
- Suan Mokkh Bangkok
- Tibetan Buddhist Centre Singapore & Malaysia
- Geluk International Foundation (India)
- Universities, organizations, and monasteries in Sri Lanka