First Asian Buddhist summit to be held in Delhi from November 5 to 6

First Asian Buddhist summit to be held in Delhi from November 5 to 6

sub: History

sec : Art and Culture

Context:

• The Government of India, in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), is organizing the first Asian Buddhist Summit (ABS) in New Delhi from November 5 to 6.

About the Summit:

• The theme of the summit is Role of Buddha Dhamma in Strengthening Asia, reflecting India’s Act East Policy aimed at promoting collective, inclusive, and spiritual development in the region.
• The summit will be inaugurated by President Draupadi Murmu.
• It will gather Buddhist leaders, scholars, experts, and practitioners from various traditions across Asia to foster dialogue, enhance mutual understanding, and address contemporary challenges faced by the Buddhist community.
• It also aims to enhance awareness of Buddhist heritage and its contributions to creating a more compassionate, sustainable, and peaceful world.

Key Themes:

• Buddhist art, architecture, and heritage.
• Buddha Cārikā (travels of the Buddha) and the dissemination of Buddha Dhamma.
• Role of Holy Buddhist Relics and its Relevance in Society
• The significance of Buddha Dhamma in scientific research and well-being.
• The role of Buddhist literature and philosophy in the 21st century.

Special Exhibition:

• A special exhibition titled “India as the Dhamma Setu (Bridge) connecting Asia” will be curated in conjunction with the summit, showcasing India’s role in connecting diverse Buddhist traditions across the continent.

Previous Engagements:

• Last year, a group of Buddhist scholars from 11 countries, including Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, participated in the Buddha Bhoomi Vandan Yatra program organized by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR).
• This initiative allowed young scholars to explore significant Buddhist sites in India and engage with experts to deepen their understanding of India’s rich Buddhist heritage.