Chandra Chiara Ehm

I am a mixed-methods Anthropology and Religious sciences Researcher All of my research focuses on two key questions: How do humans and their cultures communicate? How do we articulate our ideas and our lived experiences? I am a doctoral student in anthropology at the historical and philological department at the École Pratique des Hautes Études, Paris. Trained in cultural anthropology and Buddhist philosophy, I am interested in how modernity, social change, and secularisation are forging realities in monastic communities in India, Nepal, and Tibet. My research is interdisciplinary in making use of classical philological and qualitative research methods analysing textual sources in the context of the lived communities studying and practising those. [institutional page] (https://https://www.crcao.fr/membre/chandra-chiara-ehm/) # Curriculum Vitae ## Education Dec. 2020–2024 École Pratique des Hautes Études, Paris & Ludwig-Maximilans-Universität, Munich Ph.D. in Anthropology/Tibetology and Religious Studies Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Charles Ramble, Prof. Dr. Robert Yelle Thesis: Yellow Hats, Indian Pandits, and Practice in the Geluk Order Sept. 2020–Aug. 2021 Atlanta University, Atlanta, USA Social Emotional and Ethical Learning, Instructor: M.A. Christa Tinari Jan. 2020–Apr. 2021 Atlanta University, Atlanta, USA Cognition Based Compassion Training, Instructor: Dr. Tenzin Negi Dec. 2017–Dec. 2020 École Pratique des Hautes Études, Paris, France Diplôme de l’EPHE en Sciences Historiques et Philologiques Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Charles Ramble Thesis: Queens Without a Kingdom Worth Ruling – Processes of Change in Tibetan Buddhist Convents 2006–2007 Philipps Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany Italian, French, History for the teaching profession Studies in Buddhist Philosophy and Himalayan Languages 2009–2018 Khachoe Gakhyil Ling - Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies, Kathmandu, Nepal Geshema Studies in Buddhist Philosophy and Himalayan Languages 2006–2007 Philipps Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany Italian, French, History for the teaching profession ## Studies in Buddhist Philosophy and Himalayan Languages 2009–2018 Khachoe Gakhyil Ling - Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies, Kathmandu, Nepal Geshema Studies in Buddhist Philosophy and Himalayan Languages ### Madhyamaka (dBu ma–Middle Way) Studies 2017–2019: dGongs pa rab gsal (Illumination of the thought) Instructor: Geshe Ngawang Sangye, Sera Jey Monastery 2016–2017: bSam gzugs (Concentrations and Formless Absorptions) Instructor: Geshe Ngawang Sangye, Sera Jey Monastery 2016: gSang sngags kyi sa lam (Tantric Grounds and Paths) Instructor: Geshe Drugdra, Gyume Tantric College ### Preparatory Topics and Abhisamayālaṅkāra (Phar phyin–Ornament) 2017: gZhung rnying (Pāramitā III) 2016: gZhung rnying (Pāramitā II) 2015: gZhung gsar (Pāramitā I) 2014: Sa lam (Grounds and Paths), Tibetan class VIII 2013: Grub mtha’, Don bdun cu (Tenets, 70 Topics), Tibetan class VII 2012: rTags rigs (Sign and Reasoning), Tibetan class VI 2011: Blo rigs (Mind and Reasoning), Tibetan class V 2010: bsDus bring (Introduction to Buddhist Philosophy II), Tibetan class IV 2009: bsDus grwa chung ba (Introduction to Buddhist Philosophy I), Tibetan class III Lama Tzong Khapa Institut (ILTK), Pomaia, Italy Sep. 2008–Jul. 2009 FPMT Masters Program in Advanced Buddhist Philosophy ### Language and Translation Studies Jul.–Aug. 2018: Sanskrit Intensive Course, Rangjung Yeshe Institute, Kathmandu, Nepal Jul.–Aug. 2017: Tibetan Intensive Translator Course, Maitripa College, Portland, USA Jun.–Aug. 2016: Intensive Interpreter Training, Rangjung Yeshe Institute, Kathmandu, Nepal Aug.–Dec. 2007: Classical Tibetan, Lama Tzong Khapa Institut (ILTK), Pomaia, Italy ### Research and Fieldwork Oct.–Dec. 2022: South-India, anthropological research at Sera and Drepung Monasteries. May 2022: South-India, philological research and archival work on Longdol Lama’s Terms Deriving from the Perfection of Wisdom 2016–2019: Nepal (Kathmandu, Mustang), Diplôme research: globalisation and modernity, development monasticism, religious hierarchies, secularisation, educational opportunities 2016–2019: India (Hundsur, Mundgod, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh) Diplôme research: living conditions, globalisation and modernity, monasticism, social change, secularisation Scholarships 2022: Cotutelle Grant, Université franco-allemande/Deutsch-französische Hochschule 2021: Travel Grant for Doctoral Students in Social Sciences, Région Île-de-France 2021: Publication Grant, Brambosch-Schaelen-Stiftung Jun. 2021–Jun. 2025: Doctoral Program in Buddhist Studies, Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst Jul.–Aug. 2018: Sanskrit Intensive Course, Rangjung Yeshe Institute, Kathmandu, Nepal Jul.–Aug. 2017: Tibetan Intensive Translator Course, Maitripa College, Portland, USA Jun.–Aug. 2016: Intensive Interpreter Training, Nicky Glegg, Rangjung Yeshe Institute, Kathmandu, Nepal Jan.–Jul. 2009: FPMT Masters Program, Lama Tzong Khapa Institute (ILTK), Pomaia, Italy Aug.–Dec. 2007: Classical Tibetan Language, Lama Tzong Khapa Institute (ILTK), Pomaia, Italy ### Scholarships 2022: Cotutelle Grant, Université franco-allemande/Deutsch-französische Hochschule 2021: Travel Grant for Doctoral Students in Social Sciences, Région Île-de-France 2021: Publication Grant, Brambosch-Schaelen-Stiftung Jun. 2021–Jun. 2025: Doctoral Program in Buddhist Studies, Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst Jul.–Aug. 2018: Sanskrit Intensive Course, Rangjung Yeshe Institute, Kathmandu, Nepal Jul.–Aug. 2017: Tibetan Intensive Translator Course, Maitripa College, Portland, USA Jun.–Aug. 2016: Intensive Interpreter Training, Nicky Glegg, Rangjung Yeshe Institute, Kathmandu, Nepal Jan.–Jul. 2009: FPMT Masters Program, Lama Tzong Khapa Institute (ILTK), Pomaia, Italy Aug.–Dec. 2007: Classical Tibetan Language, Lama Tzong Khapa Institute (ILTK), Pomaia, Italy ### Languages German: Mothertongue Italian Mothertongue English C2 French C1 Tibetan C1 C1 Nepalese A2 Farsi A1 Sanskrit - Reading skills ### Teaching Experience Ludwig-Maximilans-Universität, Munich SS 2022: Seminar, Einführung in den Buddhismus Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales, Paris WS 2021: Tibetan Grammar/Tibetan 1 WS 2021: Tibetan Grammar/Tibetan 2 Tibethaus e.V., Frankfurt, Germany Aug. 2019–Jul. 2020: Teaching on Buddhist philosophy and responsible for the study program management Kopan Monastery, Kathmandu, Nepal Jun.–Aug. 2010: Teaching assistant, FPMT- Basic Program ### Translations and Research Mar. 2021–present: Project Assistant, Oral History of Tibetan Studies Project Oxford University, UK Jan. 2021–present: Project Assistant, Archive Project Centre de Documentation de l'Aire Tibétaine École Pratique des Hautes Études, Paris Jul. 2017–Feb. 2018: Translation of the Uttara Tantra / Treatise on the Sublime Continuum, commissioned by the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) Oct. 2016: Interpreter at the UNESCO Conference Healing Practices in the Himalaya, Mustang, Nepal 2007–present: Freelance interpreter for Tibetan, Italian, French and English for various Buddhist organizations and mindfulness-based institutes such as Arbor Institut, MBSR-Verband Schweiz, Tibethaus e.V., Bordo Genossenschaft, Italien, Lama Tzong Khapa Institute, Italy, Jangtse Thoesam, Italy ### Organisation of Research Events 2023: Women on the Roof of the World: Identity, Ethnicity, and Modernity, international workshop organising committee, April 4-5, EPHE, Paris, France 2022: Professional Women and Women's Professions in Tibetan Societies, panel organisation, 16th Seminar of the IATS, July 3-9, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic ### Outreach Mar. 2022–present: Board member of the French Society for Tibetan Studies (SFEMT), Paris Sep. 2021–Sept. 2022: President of YouR PSL, PSL Young Researcher’s Society, PSL University, Paris Sep. 2020–Sep. 2021: Secretary of YouR PSL, PSL Young Researcher’s Society, PSL University, Paris 2010–present: Interpreting and project management for political refugees of the Tibetan exile community (among others: Tibethaus Kulturstiftung) 2008–2018: English teacher, advisor, project management – Khachoe Gakhyil Ling Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies, Nepal 2004–present: Translator and interpreter, Tibethaus e.V., Frankfurt, Germany 2001–2006: Group leader and regional representative, Verband Christlicher Pfadfinder (VCP), Trier, Germany Publications ### Publications 2024: (Forthcoming): “The Art of Finding Empowerment in Renunciation. A Portrait of the Nyungne Fasting Rite at Khachoe Ghakyil Ling Nunnery”, Études mongoles et sibériennes, centrasiatiques et tibétaines. 2024: "Tsongkhapa", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2024 Edition), Edward N. Zalta & Uri Nodelman (eds.), URL = <https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/sum2024/entries/tsongkhapa/>. 2024: Queens Without a Kingdom Worth Ruling, Tibetan Buddhist Nuns and the Process of Change in Tibetan Monastic Communities, Vajra Books (Vajra Academic), Kathmandu, Nepal 2022: “Conference Report: 2nd Conference of the Italian Association of Tibetan, Himalayan and Mongolian Studies, 7-9 July 2021.” HIMALAYA - The Journal of the Association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies, 41(1), 135-136 2022: “Book Review: Secularizing Buddhism: New Perspectives on a Dynamic Tradition by Richard Karl Payne.” Contemporary Buddhism. DOI:10.1080/14639947.2022.2067937 Published Translations from Tibetan 2022: Bstan-ʼdzin-rgya-mtsho.‘Summary of the Fourteenth Dalai Lama’s Stages of the Path. Volume 1: Guidance for the Modern Practitioner.’ ་In The Fourteenth Dalai Lama’s Stages of the Path. Volume 1: Guidance for the Modern Practitioner, 465–75. Somerville: Wisdom Publications 2022: Dagyab Loden Sherab. 2022. ‘In Memoriam: Nima Dorjee Ragnubs (1934–2021)’, Blog of the International Association for Tibetan Studies (blog). 2022. http://www.iats.info/blog/ Conferences and Talks 2023: There's Many a Slip 'Twixt the Cup and the Lip–Exploring Relationships Between Theory of Practice and Practice by Looking at the Abhisamayālaṃkāra in Gelukpa Scholasticism, Tibetan Graduate Studies Seminar, March 9, Oxford University, Great Britain 2022: Tibetan Women in a World of Men, 16th Seminar of the IATS, July 3-9, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic 2021: Dal cortile del dibattito e dalla cava di clausura ai curricula secolari. Il modernismo buddista nell’ordine dei Gelukpa, Convegno AISTHiM Traditions, Translations and Transitions in the Cultural History of Tibet, the Himalayas and Mongolia, July 7-9,, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy 2021: Weinrote Roben, Schneeberge und philosophische Debatten: Tibetischer Buddhismus im Wandel, Buddhismus Kennenlernen Serie, April 15, Tibethaus Deutschland, Frankfurt, Germany 2021: An Introduction to CBCT® — Compassion-Based Compassion Training, Tibet-Colloquium Facets of Buddhism, Abteilung für Mongolistik and Tibetstudien, February 2, Rheinische Friedrich- Wilhelm- Universität Bonn, Germany 2019: An Unholy School in the Holy City of Lhasa – Modern Influences in Traditional Monastic Environments and their Impact on the dGe bshes (ma) Studies, 15th Seminar of the IATS, École Pratique des Hautes Études, July 7-13, INALCO, Paris, France 2016: Healing Practices in the Himalaya, Challenges and Opportunities, October 7-9, UNESCO, Marpha, Nepal