Buddhist Conference (representative image)
International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) will be hosting the first-ever Global Buddhist Summit (GBS). The summit is likely to bring hundreds of Buddhist monks, scholars and dharma practitioners together from around the globe. The summit will happen on April 20 and 21 in New Delhi. It will be part of the Ministry of Culture. The summit’s main objective is to highlight Buddhism’s response to today’s most urgent problems. The theme of the summit is ‘Responses to Contemporary Challenges from Philosophy to Praxis.’
The discussions at International Buddhist Confederation will be global
Buddhist scholars, monks, and dharma practitioners from all around the world will congregate in New Delhi to talk about Buddhism’s solution to current issues. With the theme of “Responses to Contemporary Challenges from Philosophy to Praxis.” The summit seeks to advance the universal principles inherent in the Buddha Dharma in order to offer remedies for the most pressing problems of the day.
The International Buddhist Confederation will feature seminars on various topics, including Buddha Dharma and Peace, Environmental Crisis, Health and Sustainability, Preservation of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition, and Buddha Dharma Pilgrimage, Living Heritage, and Buddha Relics. These discussions will explore the resilient foundation of India’s centuries-old cultural links with South, Southeast, and East Asia.
The GBS represents a return to the historic tradition of Buddhist councils, which were essential in determining how Buddhism spread throughout India and the rest of the globe. Buddhist councils continued to meet after Buddha’s passing up to the middle of the 20th century in order to accurately preserve and convey his teachings. Indian society was profoundly impacted by Buddhism, which had an impact on not only religion but also on art, architecture, and literature.
History of Buddhist Councils over the Years
Rajgir hosted the first Buddhist Council, where the Buddha’s followers learned his teachings and collected them into the Tripitaka, the Buddhist canon. A century later, in Vaishali, the Second Buddhist Council was organised to settle a disagreement regarding how to interpret Buddhist teaching. In order to purify the Buddhist sangha and safeguard the veracity of Buddha’s teachings, the Third Buddhist Council was conducted at Pataliputra during the rule of Emperor Ashoka. Under the reign of King Kanishka, the Fourth Buddhist Council was held in Kashmir, and intellectuals from China, Central Asia, and India were present. It caused the Mahayana scriptures to be compiled.
The GBS will provide a forum for eminent academics, sangha leaders, and dharma practitioners from throughout the world to discuss world issues and seek remedies in the Buddha Dharma. It will offer a special chance to promote India’s rich cultural legacy and its status as the world’s centre for Buddhism. The GBS aspires to promote worldwide understanding, collaboration, and peaceful coexistence by promoting universal ideals.
