H. E. Serkong Tsenshap Rinpoche, Atisha Mathur, and Fabrizio Pallotti: Buddhist Education in the Modern World (#233)

This episode of the Wisdom Podcast, recorded as a Wisdom Dharma Chat, features special guests H. E. Serkong Tsenshap Rinpoche, Atisha Mathur, and Fabrizio Pallotti. Together with host Daniel Aitken, they tackle the topic of Buddhist education in the modern world. Discussing the value of rigorous critical thinking in improving Western Dharma study. How students can benefit from collaboration such as the collaboration with Serkong Institute, Association Manjushri Lotsaw, and University of Pisa to bring traditional Buddhist academic structure to Western academia. They also discuss Rinpoche’s course with Wisdom Academy, The Debate Between Wisdom and Ignorance.

They also discuss

Serkong Institute’s mission to guide students amid abundant online materials and the evolution of AI by grounding them in His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Nalanda tradition;

how debate functions as a practical tool to test understanding, refine doubts, and build conviction;

how to cultivate correct understanding of the Four Noble Truths, liberation, and critical inquiry through reasoning and debate; and

much more!

The debate videos referenced in the episode can be viewed in the original Dharma Chat from minutes 40:22 to 41:11 here.

Additional content mentioned in this episode:

Learn more about the Serkong Institute at https://www.serkonginstitute.org/

Learn more and enroll in The Debate Between Wisdom and Ignorance.

Learn more about Science of Mind and Epistemology for Critical Thinking and Contemplative Sciences. Offered in collaboration with Serkong Institute and Association Manjushri Lotsaw. Available from June 15-July 24 2026.

Wisdom Podcast listeners are invited to save 20% off The Debate Between Wisdom and Ignorance with code WPODDEBATE through July 13.