Recently, The President of India inaugurated the first Asian Buddhist Summit organised by the Union Culture Ministry and the International Buddhist Confederation in New Delhi.

About First Asian Buddhist Summit 2024

• A significant international event aimed at fostering dialogue, promoting understanding, and addressing contemporary challenges within the Buddhist community across Asia.
• Theme: “Role of Buddha Dhamma in Strengthening Asia” – emphasises collective, inclusive, and spiritual development across the continent.
• Key Themes of the Summit:
  • Buddhist Art, Architecture, and Heritage: Celebrated the cultural richness of landmarks like Sanchi Stupa and Ajanta Caves.
  • Buddha Cārikā and Dissemination of Teachings: Focused on Buddha’s journeys and his efforts to spread Dhamma across India.
  • Role of Buddhist Relics and Societal Impact: Discussed how relics inspire devotion, support local economies via pilgrimage tourism, and promote peace and compassion.
  • Buddhist Literature and Modern Philosophy: Showcased the relevance of Buddhist texts in contemporary philosophical dialogue.
  • Buddha Dhamma and Scientific Research: Examined how Buddhist principles are integrated into scientific research to enhance well-being.
• Exhibition: Featured “India as the Dhamma Setu (Bridge) Connecting Asia”, highlighting India’s role in spreading Buddhism.
• Significance for India: Reinforces India’s Act East and Neighborhood First policies, focusing on shared growth and spirituality in Asia.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Course

Key highlights from the President’s speech

• Unity in Diversity: The President emphasized the unity among the diverse attendees at the summit, who come from different countries, speak different languages, and wear robes of various colors, but all are united in their striving for the Dhamma.
• The Role of Buddha Dhamma in Strengthening Asia: The theme of the summit, focusing on the role of Buddha Dhamma in strengthening Asia, was highlighted as timely and important in addressing contemporary challenges such as conflict and environmental crises.
• The Legacy of Buddha’s Teachings: The President praised the Buddha’s enlightenment as an unparalleled event in history, emphasizing the Buddha’s message of peace, non-violence, and compassion, which continues to inspire billions of people around the world.

• Global Spread and Preservation of Buddha Dharma: The spread of Buddha’s teachings across various regions and cultures (South-East Asia, Tibet, China, and Western countries) was acknowledged, as well as the collective effort to preserve his teachings, including the creation of the Tipitaka and translations by monks from Sri Lanka, Tibet, and China. 
• India’s Commitment to Preservation: The President highlighted India’s ongoing efforts to preserve Buddhist heritage, such as the recent recognition of Pali and Prakrit as classical languages, ensuring financial support for their preservation and revitalization.
• Invitation for Further Exploration: The President extended an invitation for international delegates to visit the National Museum and the Buddhist Circuit to explore India’s rich Buddhist heritage and deepen their understanding of Buddha’s teachings.

Buddhist Philosophy

• The Philosophical Foundations of Buddhism
  • World is transient or ‘Impermanence’ (anicca).
  • It is also soulless (anatta) with nothing permanent in it.
  • Sorrow (dukkha) is intrinsic to human existence.
• Thus, following the path of moderation between severe penance and self-indulgence, human beings can rise above these worldly troubles.
• Other Beliefs: 
  • He neither accepted nor denied the existence of God.
  • He addressed worldly issues and was not concerned with debates about the soul (atman) and Brahma.
  • He questioned the authority of the Vedas.
  • Condemned the Varna system and advocated equality. 
• Four Noble Truths of Buddha: Understanding the Essence of Buddhist Philosophy
  • The truth of Suffering (Dukkha): Birth, age, death, separation, unfulfilled wish. 
  • Truth of Origin of Suffering (Samudaya): Arises from desires (Trishna) for pleasure, power & long life.
  • Truth of Cessation of Suffering (Nirvana): Achieving freedom from sorrow.
  • Truth of Path Leading to Cessation of Suffering (Magga), which can be attained through the Noble Eightfold Path or the Middle Path.

Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store

Why Sectarianism, Communalism is challenge to Society

• Threat to National Unity: Sectarianism and communalism divide the nation, weakening social integration and fostering fragmentation.
  • The ethnic clashes between Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur have led to widespread violence, displacement, and loss of life in 2023.
• Social Disharmony: They fuel hatred, mistrust, and violence, disrupting societal peace.
  • The 2002 Gujarat riots deepened communal rifts, fostering long-term mistrust between Hindus and Muslims.
• Political Manipulation: Politicians often exploit communal divides for electoral gain, deepening societal rifts.
  • Politicians often appeal to “sons of the soil” sentiments to gain favor among indigenous or local populations, emphasizing their right to jobs, resources, or land. Eg.. Maharashtra NavNirman Sena Agitation against Bihar and UP migrants.
• Economic Disruption: Communal violence disrupts trade and investment, hindering economic growth.
  • According to the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) Global Peace Index 2023, the economic impact of violence in India was estimated to be $1.2 trillion in 2022, which is approximately 6% of India’s GDP.
• Human Rights Violations: These issues marginalised minority groups, denying them equal rights and opportunities.
  • The persecution of the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar involved violence and the denial of basic human rights.
• Undermines Secularism: Communalism challenges secularism by promoting religious intolerance and discrimination.
  • Recent instances of religious intolerance and discrimination against minority communities in India, such as the targeting of religious minorities in certain states, challenge the principles of secularism and promote communal divisions.

Using Buddhist Principles to Combat Sectarianism

• Emphasis on Compassion (Karuna): Central to Buddhist teachings, karuna promotes empathy and understanding among different groups, reducing divisive tendencies and fostering harmony.
• The Principle of Non-Violence (Ahimsa): Buddhism’s commitment to non-violence encourages peaceful coexistence and dialogue over conflict, countering the roots of sectarian aggression.
• Middle Path Philosophy: The Buddha’s Madhyamaka (Middle Path) discourages extreme views and practices, promoting balanced and inclusive approaches that bridge divides between different beliefs.
• Unity in Diversity: Despite the development of various schools such as Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana, Buddhism upholds respect for different interpretations, teaching that diverse paths can coexist peacefully within a shared spiritual framework.
• Teachings on Impermanence and Non-Attachment: By understanding that all things, including rigid identities and beliefs, are impermanent, individuals are less likely to cling to exclusivist positions that fuel sectarianism.
• Promotion of Right Speech: The Eightfold Path emphasizes Right Speech, which includes speaking truthfully and kindly. This principle fosters constructive communication and reduces rhetoric that can exacerbate divisions.

Buddhist Dhamma and Relevance in the Contemporary World

• Climate Change and Environmental Ethics: The concept of Dhamma promotes living in harmony with nature. 
  • The principle of Ahimsa (non-violence) extends to environmental stewardship, advocating respect for all forms of life.
  • Countries like Bhutan have integrated Buddhist principles into national policy, resulting in their commitment to being carbon-negative and prioritizing Gross National Happiness over economic growth.
• Peace and Conflict Resolution: The teachings of non-violence and karuna (compassion) emphasise peaceful dialogue and understanding to resolve conflicts. 
  • The Right Speech component of the Eightfold Path encourages communication that is truthful and not harmful.
  • The Dalai Lama’s advocacy for non-violent approaches to the Tibet issue exemplifies how Buddhist principles can guide peaceful resistance and conflict resolution.
• Mental Health and Well-being: Mindfulness (sati) and meditation practices are central to Buddhism and are recognized globally for enhancing mental well-being and emotional resilience. The Dhamma emphasises managing desires and attachments to reduce suffering.
  • The increasing adoption of mindfulness practices in Western countries, including the use of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in therapy, reflects how Buddhist techniques are applied to address anxiety, depression, and stress.
• Economic Inequality and Ethical Leadership: Buddhism teaches the importance of Right Livelihood and generosity (dana). Economic systems should aim for equitable distribution and discourage greed (lobha).
  • Social enterprises inspired by Buddhist principles focus on shared prosperity. For instance, microfinance models in developing countries encourage inclusive growth and empower marginalised communities.
• Refugee Crisis and Compassionate Policies: The value of karuna calls for compassionate treatment of those in need, such as refugees and displaced persons. This principle emphasises seeing humanity in all and acting with empathy.
  • Initiatives by Buddhist charities and organisations in Asia that provide aid and shelter to refugees, such as those displaced by conflicts in Myanmar, demonstrate Dhamma’s influence on humanitarian efforts.
• Extremism and Social Cohesion: The Buddha’s teachings advocate moderation and the avoidance of extreme views. Metta (loving-kindness) and equanimity (upekkha) encourage harmonious living and the reduction of hatred (dosa).
  • Interfaith dialogues and peace-building efforts in multi-religious societies, such as Sri Lanka’s reconciliation programs post-civil war, embody Buddhist approaches to reducing communal tensions.
• Consumerism and Sustainability: The Dhamma warns against excessive attachment and desire, which drive unsustainable consumer habits. Practicing contentment (santutthi) helps mitigate environmental degradation.
  • Minimalist lifestyles influenced by Buddhist teachings encourage reduced consumption and promote sustainable living, countering modern issues of overconsumption and waste.
• Political and Social Ethics: Leaders should act as Dharmarajas—righteous rulers who prioritise the welfare of their people. Policies should be driven by ethical considerations, promoting justice and fairness.
  • Emperor Ashoka’s adoption of Buddhist principles after the Kalinga War transformed his approach to governance, focusing on non-violence, welfare programs, and moral conduct, which serves as a historical model for modern leadership.
• Education and Moral Development: The Dhamma stresses the importance of education that nurtures both intellectual growth and moral development. The pursuit of knowledge should align with ethical values and empathy.
  • Buddhist schools and monastic institutions in countries like Thailand and Myanmar incorporate teachings that promote not just academic learning but also character building and ethical behaviour.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes

India’s Role in Preserving and Promoting Buddha Dhamma

• Historical Custodian of Buddhist Heritage: India is the birthplace of Buddhism, home to sacred sites such as Bodh Gaya (the site of Buddha’s enlightenment), Sarnath (his first sermon), and Kushinagar (his Mahaparinirvana). These sites are preserved and promoted for global pilgrimage, fostering a deeper connection to the Buddha’s teachings.
• Cultural and Diplomatic Outreach: India’s foreign policy, including the Act East Policy, emphasizes cultural diplomacy by promoting shared Buddhist heritage with Asian countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Japan, strengthening regional ties and soft power.
• Support for Buddhist Conferences and Summits: India has hosted and supported major international Buddhist conferences, such as the Global Buddhist Summit, providing a platform for dialogue on applying Buddha Dhamma to contemporary global issues, fostering peace and cooperation.
• Preservation of Buddhist Literature: Initiatives to preserve ancient texts, including digitization and restoration efforts for the Tipitaka and other scriptures, help maintain this shared heritage. Recognition of classical languages like Pali and Prakrit supports scholarly work and dissemination of Buddhist teachings.
• Establishment of Research and Study Centers: Institutions like the Nalanda University (re-established) and Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies focus on Buddhist studies and promote academic exploration of the Dhamma, attracting scholars globally.
• Monumental Efforts in Restoration and Tourism: India actively promotes Buddhist tourism circuits that connect significant historical sites, contributing to the global understanding of the Buddha’s life and teachings and aiding in cultural preservation and economic development.

Conclusion

India continues to play a vital role in preserving and promoting Buddha Dhamma, blending cultural heritage, academic initiatives, and diplomatic efforts. This commitment not only honors its historical legacy but also fosters global peace and unity through the timeless teachings of the Buddha.

DOWNLOAD PDF