Dr. Mahesh Deokar, is a professor and head of the Department of Pali at Pune University.

As one of the world's leading experts in the study of Pali, he has memorized the entire Buddhist Pali Cannon but happens to also be blind. He will lead us to a deeper level of the 4 noble truths.

 

Dr. Lata Deokar is a professor of Sanskrit at Pune University.

 

Sugata Mitra, professor of educational Technology at New Castle University, UK and winner of the 2013 TED talk prize. He is radically changing the way we look at education, learning, students, and knowledge. 

 

Dr. Nakul Chandra, an in the USA based pediatric cardiologist, is originally from Varanasi and a regular practitioner of Vipassana meditation. His work also includes extencive social service programs in his hometown of Varanasi. Including providing free vacinations in schools distributing sewing machines to empower for poor women and initiation to clean the Ganges river.

 

Anneke Teulings – psychotherapist who is based in the Netherlands and is an initiator to use a landscape as a working place for mindfulness. She’s an independent entrepreneur in changeprocesses  between human beings and nature.

 

Joris Luyendijk is a writer and journalist. In 2008 Luyendijk published the book 'Hello Everybody' about his experiences as Middle East correspondent which became a highly acclaimed bestseller. For the past two years Luyendijk has conducted an experimental anthropological investigation into the culture of finance in London for the Guardian.

 

Sister Paola is a Keralite Catholic nun who spent 12 years in silent retreat in the Rishikesh mountains. She lives in India.

 

Suresh Nair is a art professor at Benares Hindu University, is a leading contemporary artist from Kerala and is involved in Varanasi social development projects, including creating urban art projects.

 

Paul Scheffer is professor of European Studies. His most recent book includes a history of migration and biography of his grandfather, the philosopher Herman Wolf. He was also a correspondent in Warsaw and Paris. His new book is about the old and the new world and the consequences for Europe regarding the emerging countries Brazil, China and India.

 

Phra Srayuth Boonnimitra graduated from law school at Bangkok University and later worked as a stock-broker. At the age of 36 he decided to become a monk leaving his family behind. He ordained with Phra achan Damrongdham in Thailand. After spending much time alone in the forest he’s now the assistant of Achan Damrong working at the temples in Thailand and India.

 

Phra Achan Damrongdham Phothinantasuriya is a Master of Dharma and Meditation. He has studied the Dharma and meditation within the Thai Forest tradition since becoming a monk at the age of eight. For eleven years, in solitude, he practiced meditation in a forest-cave. He has established five temples and one Buddhist school in Thailand. For the past fifteen years he has been teaching the Dharma and meditation more publicly to monks and lay people.

 

Hilje de Meester Psychotherapist and experienced teacher in transformation processes, based in the Netherlands.

 

Sandra Alderen and Santi Bounesthisane former monastics from the Plum Village tradition founded by the Vietnamese zen master Thich Nhat Hanh. After leaving the monastery they set up Simply Canvas; a glamping site and farm of 12,5 acres - in the South of France - where they receive guests and design their land according to the permaculture principles. They share their path and knowledge about mindfulness and permaculture in an informal way, by leading by example.

 

Laetitia Schoofs – director of the Buddhist  Broadcast Foundation and head of the tv programming. The BOS is the first independent Buddhist Broadcasting Foundation in the west to produce and broadcast buddhist programs within a country's Public Broadcasting System. She broadcasts programmes in which the essence of Buddhism is made tangible and meaningful for today's society.