On November 17, 2008, Dr. Abdul Kalam, former president of India, visited Nepal to preside as the Chief Guest at the yearly convocation ceremony of Kathmandu University. During his brief visit to Nepal Dr. Kalam took time off from a busy schedule to visit Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery in Boudhanath, Kathmandu.
It was a personal wish of Dr. Kalam to visit a Buddhist monastery while in Nepal and as Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery is also home to the Centre for Buddhist Studies (CBS) at Kathmandu University this monastery was chosen as the venue for this visti. Dr. Kalam was greeted at the monastery gates by the Abbot and co-founder of CBS, Ven. Tulku Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche along with senior monks and all the faculty and students at CBS.
Following a brief tour of the main shrine hall Dr. Kalam and Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche proceeded to have a private conversation in the abbot’s shrine room at the top floor of the monastery. During the meeting the two scholars had a vigorous and warm exchange on the nature of Buddhism and global responsibility. In particular the topic of Buddhism and science was discussed in great detail and both Dr. Kalam and Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche were pleased to share their respective areas of expertise in a conversation of fresh inquisitiveness, humor and mutual respect.
Also present at the meeting were Vice Chancellor at Kathmandu University, Dr. Suresh Raj Sharma, the Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Mr. Rakesh Sood, and several other professors and scholars from Kathmandu University and CBS.
