March 21, 2025: As a part of the 108 Peace Institute’s ongoing Lecture Series, the Institute, in collaboration with ICFAI University, hosted an illuminating session on “Compassionate Leadership in the 21st Century,” with a profound reminder that true leadership begins with compassion, at the Gangtok campus, Sikkim. This inspiring event was held on 21st March 2025, welcoming a total of 80 diverse audience of faculty members and students.
The lecture event featured Venerable Ngawang Samten, a highly decorated Buddhist scholar and recipient of the Padma Shri, known for his lifelong contributions to education and literature. His presence at the university was not just for a lecture, but a rare opportunity for participants to engage with a wise voice that bridges Ancient Indian Wisdom with modern challenges.
Venerable Samten began by reflecting on the essence of leadership through the lens of timeless Buddhist values and the Nalanda Tradition of Science of Mind. He emphasized that while technical knowledge and managerial skills are important, it is inner cultivation—empathy, humility, and ethical responsibility—that shapes a truly impactful leader.
Explaining in a very simple manner, he said that extending compassion to others brings mental peace and happiness to oneself, while anger and hatred harm oneself only by leading to mental unrest and other sufferings. Whatever emotions an individual expresses, he/she will be the first beneficiary of the outcome of those emotions, indicating that our mental state is linked to how we regulate our emotions. The modern education has been only educating the minds (intelligence quotient), not the hearts (emotional quotient). Therefore, it can solve only 20% of the 360-degree challenges a human faces. Towards educating hearts, he said, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has been a strong advocate of bringing transformation in the formal education system, consistently calling on the educators to incorporate value-based education. The speaker also delved into the legacy of the 14th Dalai Lama, his journey into being chosen as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama, and their strong connection with India as a follower of the Nalanda Tradition of Buddhist Philosophy.
Some of the key messages shared during the session included:
- Compassion is not weakness—it is strength guided by wisdom.
- In the 21st century, leaders must be emotionally intelligent, capable of active listening, and inclusive decision-makers.
- The world is facing interconnected crises—environmental, social, and spiritual—and compassionate leadership is vital for collective healing.
- Mindfulness and self-awareness practices are not optional for leaders today; they are essential tools for maintaining clarity and purpose.
The session concluded with an engaging Q&A, where students and faculty asked thoughtful questions about practicing compassion in daily life. Venerable Samten offered grounded, and thought provoking answers that left many inspired. Attendees shared their appreciation for the rare opportunity to reflect inwardly amidst the demands of academic and professional life.
The 108 Peace Institute remains committed to promoting transformative dialogue and inner education. Events like this are central to our mission of cultivating peace, understanding, and ethical leadership in every field of life.