INDIA: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the inaugural session of the Global Buddhist Summit tomorrow (Thursday), his office said. The two-day summit is being hosted by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation on April 20 and 21. The theme of the summit is “Responses to Contemporary Challenges: Philosophy to Praxis”, it said.
The summit is an effort towards engaging the global “Buddhist Dhamma” leadership and scholars on the matters of Buddhist and universal concerns, and to come up with policy inputs to address them collectively. The discussion at the summit will explore how the Buddha Dhamma’s fundamental values can provide inspiration and guidance in contemporary settings, it added.
The summit will witness the participation of eminent scholars, Sangha leaders and Dharma practitioners from all over the world, who will discuss pressing global issues and look for answers in the Buddha Dhamma that is based on universal values, the PMO said.
“The discussions will be held under four themes: Buddha Dhamma and Peace; Buddha Dhamma: Environmental Crisis, Health and Sustainability; Preservation of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition; Buddha Dhamma Pilgrimage, Living Heritage and Buddha Relics: a resilient foundation to India’s centuries-old cultural links to countries in South, South-East and East Asia,” it added.
“India is the birthplace of Buddhism and the land of the Buddha. Therefore, it is our responsibility to showcase our Buddhist history and heritage to the wider world... and the conference is in line with that vision of the country and the current Government,” said Union Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy on Monday. “Given its scope...the Prime Minister will inaugurate the conference.”
Reddy said the Union Culture Ministry and the International Buddhist Confederation are organising the conference. He said the conference is significant from a cultural perspective and will also promote closer diplomatic ties.
“The delegates will discuss today’s pressing global issues and look for answers in the Buddha Dhamma that are based on universal values,” Reddy said.
He said prominent Buddhist monks will visit India and take part in the conference for the first time. “...discussions will be held on how to deal with contemporary challenges with the help of Buddhist philosophy and thought.”
- THE HINDUSTAN TIMES
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