Written By Ayesha Singh
The first ever Asian Buddhist Summit was held in New Delhi. The summit saw participation from 32 countries. Over 160 international participants and 700 delegates attended. The summit discussed the role of Buddha Dhamma in strengthening Asia and concluded with the Delhi Declaration. The summit was organized by India’s Ministry of Culture and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC). The international gathering of Asian countries aimed at fostering dialogue, promoting understanding, and addressing challenges in the Asian Buddhist community. The summit advocated and enhanced Buddhist art, architecture, and heritage Highlighting the rich cultural legacy of Buddhist landmarks like Sanchi Stupa and Ajanta caves. A special exhibition titled “India as the Dhamma Setu (Bridge) Connecting Asia” highlighted India’s role in spreading Buddhism across Asia. This showed India’s endeavour towards its Act East Policy and Neighbourhood First Policy. Buddhism has been most protruding in East Asia.
Buddhism one of the major world religions founded by Siddhartha Gautama also known as “the Buddha” 2,500 years ago in India. The religion has about 500 million to one billion followers. Many of the beliefs and practices of Buddhism revolve around the concept of suffering and its causes. The religion has no god or deity to worship, it is rather about a lifestyle, a moral code and strong control of the ‘चेतना’ (the consciousness). They focus on achieving enlightenment, a state of inner peace and wisdom. The word ‘Buddha’ literally means “enlightened.” Enlightenment is attained by morality, meditation and wisdom, which they also call the ‘truth awakening’. It is strongly believed that we are surrounded and strangled by ‘Maya’. Maya means “illusion” or “dream”, according to the Bhagvad Gita it means “that which is not what it appears to be.” Buddhism encourages its people to avoid self-indulgence and self-denial. Buddhists enfold the concepts of karma and reincarnation. Buddha’s most important teachings, known as The Four Noble Truths is also embraced by Buddhists.
Buddhist monks, or bhikkhus, follow a strict code of conduct. The Dalai Lama is the leading monk in Tibetan Buddhism. There have been fourteen Dalai Lama’s until now. The 1st ever Dalai Lama was Gendun Drupa a student of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. Gendun Drupa was a scholar and writer who helped spread the Gelug tradition. The current or 14th Dalai Lama is Tenzin Gyatso whose full spiritual name is Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso.
Altogether the summit will embrace Buddhism and help it evolve.
Featured Image Courtesy – Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
