Agency: The phrase “Thabs la mkhas pa,” often translated as “skill in means,” has echoed through many conversations in the conference hall of Jamyang Resort this week. Traditionally, it refers to the wisdom of finding creative, compassionate ways to share the Dharma and meet the needs of all beings. This concept was at the heart of the three-day Bhutan Innovation in Pedagogy and Leadership Workshop, the first of its kind for Bhutan’s monastic community.
While innovation in education has become a familiar topic in schools and universities, rarely has it entered the space of monasteries and nunneries, where Bhutan’s next generation of spiritual leaders are being formed. This workshop asked an important question: how can nuns and monks be empowered to teach more effectively, think more creatively, and lead with both tradition and foresight?
Held in Thimphu, first of its kind, the workshop brought together about 30 participants from across the country, including Khenpos, Lopens, Trulkus, Rinpoches, and nuns and monks. Some traveled for days to attend. The sessions explored how Buddhist principles could guide innovation in education and leadership while remaining firmly rooted in Bhutan’s unique values and wisdom traditions.
American facilitators from diverse backgrounds, ranging from design experts and Buddhist study scholars to education specialist, guided the sessions. Their collective aim was not to introduce Western frameworks, but to draw out what already exists within Bhutan’s own contemplative and cultural heritage. As one facilitator noted, the goal was to “reimagine innovation as an act of compassion and wisdom, not disruption.”
Rather than adopting outside models, the workshop encouraged participants to co-create distinctively Bhutanese and Buddhist approaches to teaching, leadership, and community engagement. It invited reflection on how Bhutan’s religious institutions can navigate rapid global changes with awareness, discerning what to embrace and what to release, guided by the principle of karma, ethical responsibility, and intentional action.
The workshop was organized by the Khedrup Foundation in collaboration with the Generative Contemplation Initiative at the University of Virginia funded by the US State Department.
Together, they hope this marks the beginning of a long-term partnership to strengthen Bhutan’s contemplative education and empower a new generation of spiritual leaders prepared to meet the challenges of a changing world.
