Know All About Global Buddhist Summit And Buddhism In India

The 1st Global Buddhist Summit 2023, which aims to enhance cultural and diplomatic relations with other countries was held recently

Key Points On Global Buddhist Summit

• The two-day Summit was hosted by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with International Buddhist Confederation (IBC).
• The theme of the Global Buddhist Summit is ‘Responses to Contemporary Challenges: Philosophy to Praxis. ‘
• The Summit witnessed the participation of eminent scholars, Sangha leaders and Dharma practitioners from all over the world
• The keynote speakers at the event was Professor Robert Thurman, a leading American expert on Tibetan Buddhism, and His Holiness Thich Tri Quang, the Deputy Patriarch of, Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.
• Professor Thurman was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri Award in 2020 for his work on recovering India’s ancient Buddhist heritage.

Objectives of Global Buddhist Summit

• To discuss pressing global issues and look for answers in the Buddha Dharma that are based on universal values
• To engage the global Buddhist Dhamma leadership and scholars on matters of Buddhist and universal concerns, and to come up with policy inputs to address them collectively.
• To explore how the Buddha Dhamma’s fundamental values can provide inspiration and guidance in contemporary settings

Discussion Of Global Buddhist Summit

• The discussions were 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.

Buddhism in India

• Siddhartha Gautam, was born in 563 BC into royal family of Sakya clan who ruled from Kapilvastu, in Lumbini.
• At age of 29, Gautama left home and embraced a lifestyle of asceticism.
• Gautama attained enlightenment under a pipal tree at Bodhgaya in Bihar.
• Buddha gave his first sermon in the village of Sarnath, near the city of Benares in UP. This event is known as Dharma-Chakra-Pravartana (turning of the wheel of law).
• Died at the age of 80 at Kushinagara a town in UP. The event is known as Mahaparinibban.

Four Noble truths

• Suffering (dukkha) is the essence of the world,
• Every suffering has a cause – Samudya,
• Suffering could be extinguished – Nirodha,
• It can be achieved by following the Atthanga Magga

Noble Eightfold path

The path to nirvana or cessation of suffering is the Noble Eightfold path- 

Buddhist councils

• After Buddha’s death, 4 councils were held
• First: It was held in the Sattapani cave at Rajgriha soon after the Mahaparinirvan of the Buddha, around 483 BC under the patronage of King Ajatshatru and was presided by Mahakasyapa, a monk.
• Second: held in Vaishali under the patronage of the king Kalasoka in 383 BC. It was presided by Sabakami.
• Third: 250 BC in Patliputra under the patronage of Ashoka and was presided by Moggaliputta Tissa.
• Fourth: held in 72 AD at Kundalvana, Kashmir. It was presided by Vasumitra, while Asvaghosa was his deputy under the patronage of King Kanishka of Kushan Empire. Buddhism divided into Mahayan and Hinayan

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