New Delhi brings together Buddhist scholars from 30 countries to the land where Buddhism originated and where Gautam Buddha attained Nirvana.
India is the nation which has not only preserved its Buddhist legacy but has made every effort to propagate the teachings of Lord Buddha. As opposed to nations like China, Pakistan and Afghanistan, where Buddha statues, monasteries and religion is facing persecution, India has a dedicated policy to preserve every site and place associated with Gautam Buddha.
India is hosting the Global Buddhist Summit in New Delhi from April 20-21, marking the first such event in the country. Renowned Buddhist leaders from around the world are expected to attend the two-day meeting, which would discuss the world’s most pressing challenges through a Buddhist perspective. The summit aims to enhance India’s cultural and diplomatic relationships with nations where Buddhism is practiced and it also marks the significant Buddhist heritage of India, as the land where Buddhism originated.
PM Modi will address the summit where keynote speakers will include Prof. Robert Thurman, a renowned scholar of Buddhism, and His Holiness Thich Tri Quang, Deputy Patriarch, Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Vietnam. Over 170 overseas Buddhist dharma masters from more than 30 countries are expected to participate in the discussions. The deliberations will explore how the Buddha Dhamma’s fundamental values can provide inspiration and guidance in contemporary settings.
In total, around 320 delegations would participate in the summit, which includes 170 foreign participants from Mexico, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Japan. The largest delegation of 30 members is from Vietnam, followed by 20 from Sri Lanka. Chinese monks will not participate at the International Buddhist Conference.
At a press conference on Monday, the director general of IBC, Abhijit Halder told reporters, “Chinese are not coming. Invitations were sent…From Taiwan, they (two delegates) are coming”, as quoted by The Telegraph.
He added that the invitations were sent to various Buddhist institutions and not governments, as per The Hindu.
The delegates include prominent scholars, monks, diplomats and members of Buddhist organisations across the globe.
The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), an umbrella group that serves as a platform for Buddhists worldwide along with India’s cultural ministry are organising the event. Nearly 600 participants, including 180 foreigners, from over 30 countries will be attending the event.
Union Culture and tourism minister G. Kishan Reddy addressed a press conference about the grand event. “Buddhism was born in India and all those who follow the religion are keen to visit all places associated with the Buddha,” he said.
Buddhism originated in India, and the country is home to several Buddhist heritage sites, including the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, where Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment, and Kushinagar, where Buddhists believe Gautama Buddha attained parinirvana.
The upcoming two-day Global Buddhist Summit to be hosted by India has the theme ‘Responses to Contemporary Challenges from Philosophy to Praxis’. The summit will focus on finding solutions to modern-day challenges using the teachings and principles of Buddhism.
The Summit will include discussions over Buddha Dharma and Peace, Buddha Dharma and Environmental Crisis, Health and Sustainability, Preservation of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition and Buddha Dharma Pilgrimage, Living heritage and Buddha among other topics.
The vision behind the summit is to delve into the Buddhist teachings and set up a forum for the Buddhist scholars and Dharma Masters. The gathering will emphasise the Buddha’s message of peace, compassion and harmony.
See Also: https://indiadiplomacy.in/india-revitalizing-its-buddhist-legacy-under-pm-modi/
