India is the holy land of religion. In every era there have been great gurus and mystic seers and seekers in India. Who has shown humanity the path to finding peace within and harmony outside. Addressing the first Asian Buddhist Summit in Delhi, President Draupadi Murmu said that Lord Buddha has a unique place among these pioneers.
President's speech at the first Asian Buddhist Conference
The President said that Mahatma Buddha not only acquired an incomparably rich insight into the workings of the human mind but he also shared it with all people in the spirit of Bahujan Sakhay Bahujan Hitay.
The President said that preserving the teachings of Buddha has been a great collective effort for all of us. He said that the truth about the Buddhist Sangha is that its center is everywhere and the periphery is nowhere.
The President said that today the world is facing existential crisis on many fronts, not only conflict but also climate crisis. In such a situation, the Buddhist community has a lot to offer to mankind.
Theme of the First Asian Buddhist Conference
The theme of this summit organized in Delhi is the role of Buddhism in strengthening Asia. During this, Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat were also present. The two-day summit honoring Buddhism was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the International Buddhist Confederation.
First Asian Buddhist Summit organized
Known as a vibrant center of diverse cultures and religious beliefs, India has long been a stronghold of Buddhism. To celebrate the rich heritage of this ancient tradition that has not only flourished within its borders but also spread across different countries, the Ministry of Culture of the Central Government, in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation, organized the first Asian Buddhist Summit in Delhi. Respected leaders of Buddhist associations from across the continent, scholars and supporters of Buddhism participated in this summit organized on the theme of Buddhism's role in strengthening Asia. Which promoted dialogue and understanding while addressing contemporary challenges facing the Buddhist community.
Rise of Buddhism
The journey of Buddhism began in the sixth century BC. When Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment and began to understand his profound inner vision. After Buddha's Mahaparinirvana his teachings were preserved and transmitted by his followers. Due to which three major Buddhist traditions emerged-
1. Theravada
2. Mahayana
3. Vajrayana
Role of Emperor Ashoka in spreading Buddhism
Ashoka, the Maurya emperor from 268 to 232 BC, played an important role in spreading Buddhism and showing how its teachings could transform society by promoting peace, happiness and harmony. His rule was based on the principles of Dhamma. Their inscriptions and pillar inscriptions stand as enduring symbols of the widespread spread of Buddhism across Asia. As Buddhism developed. Various monastic sects emerged. This resulted in a significant schism by the first century AD, leading to the development of Mahayana and Nikaya Buddhism. In which Therava is the only living entity. The spread of Buddhism also increased outside India. Adopting local cultures or passing through Central Asia. Spread north to East Asia and formed the northern branch. It spread from East to Southeast Asia and formed the Southern Branch. The adaptability of Buddhist teachings and the emergence of diverse interpretations have enabled the religion to meet the spiritual needs of different cultures throughout history.
Asian Buddhist Summit 2024
The Asian Buddhist Summit 2024 emphasizes the deep interrelationships between Buddhism, India and Asia, showcasing their complementary relationships. The summit is in line with India's Act East policy and Neighborhood First policy, focusing on collectively inclusive and spiritual development in Asia. Buddhist art, architecture and heritage is of utmost importance. Which reflect the deep cultural and spiritual connections within this tradition. The teachings of Buddha, adopted by millions of people, are beautifully embodied in the rich canvas of India's heritage. In which sites like the Stupa of Sanchi and the caves of Ajanta present examples of excellent craftsmanship expressing deep teachings. By preserving Buddhist art and architecture we can increase intercultural understanding and appreciation among diverse communities. The importance of Buddhism in scientific research and well-being lies in its emphasis on awareness, compassion, and the interconnectedness of all beings. By integrating these ancient teachings with contemporary science, researchers are exploring such a holistic approach to well-being. Which improves psychological and physical health. Buddhist literature and philosophy create a rich and complex landscape that sheds light on the nature of reality of the human condition and the path to enlightenment. The wisdom of the Buddha expressed in these texts has fascinated minds for centuries. The philosophy of Buddhism remains a timeless source of insight and understanding through these writings.
Apart from discussing these important topics, the summit also saw a special exhibition titled India as Dhamma Bridge connecting Asia along with other creative displays at the venue. This event is a unique opportunity to unite diverse perspectives from across Asia on the Buddha's Dhamma. The teachings of the Buddha and the knowledge spread by his disciples and followers have promoted unity throughout Asia by developing a shared outlook on life, divinity and social values. Buddhism has become an integral part of India's cultural identity. Which is contributing to the country's solid foreign policy and effective political relations. This shared heritage enhances mutual understanding, respect and cooperation among different nations in the modern era. Accordingly, India has taken various initiatives aimed at promoting and preserving this rich cultural heritage.
The Buddhist Circuit is one of the 15 thematic circuits identified for development under the Swadesh Darshan theme based integrated development scheme of various tourist circuits of the Ministry of Tourism. The Buddhist Circuit includes all the sites in the country related to Buddhism including Kapil Vastu.
Global Buddhist Summit 2023
The two-day Global Buddhist Summit 2023, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 20 April 2023, focused on exploring ways of spreading and internalizing universal values. The summit addressed key global challenges and presented sustainable models for the future. The participants collectively recognized the urgent need for peace and harmony at individual and global levels.
Pali officially got the status of classical language
On 4 October 2024, Pali was officially given the status of a classical language. This is a recognition that underlines its historical importance in the spiritual and cultural heritage of the region. Lord Buddha used Pali to deliver his sermons and established it as an important medium to express his teachings. This status confirms the importance of Pali in preserving the rich traditions of Buddhism and the teachings of Buddha Dhamma. International Abhidhamma Day was organized by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation on 17 October 2024 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The event was attended by around 1000 participants including ambassadors, monks and scholars from various countries. Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the enduring relevance of the teachings of Abhidhamma and highlighted the important role of Pali in preserving Buddha Dhamma. In continuation of these activities, Asian Buddhist Summit (ABS) is a unique opportunity to bring together diverse views on Buddhism across Asia.
The spread of Buddhism while promoting the values of compassionate awareness and interconnectedness. have profoundly shaped various cultures and societies throughout Asia and beyond. As the birthplace of Buddhism, India is actively moving forward with policies that celebrate and promote this rich heritage. By hosting the Asian Buddhist Summit, India is not only reaffirming its commitment to the principles of Buddhism but also establishing itself as a leader in the process of promoting the development and relevance of Buddhism in contemporary society. And it is ensuring that the teachings of Buddhism continue to inspire future generations.
History of pali language
Pali is one of the oldest known languages of India. Which was written in Brahmi script, the oldest known script of India. Pali language has also been proud as the state language for a long time. Pali is generally recognized as an ancient language. Lord Buddha has given sermons in Pali language only. It progressed a lot during the time of Ashoka. At that time it was also promoted in various foreign countries.
During the time of Ashoka, all the writings were written in Pali language only. It was respected as the religious language of many countries like Sri Lanka, Burma etc. Evidence of this comes from the inscriptions and pillars of Emperor Ashoka. During the time of Buddha, Pali language was the language of the common people of India. Buddha gave his sermons in Pali only. Pali language originated about 300 years before Gautam Buddha, but its early literature is not known. Every language has its own literature in the form of stories, songs, riddles etc. in the initial stage and people remember its outline by word of mouth until it is written down in writing or texts. During this period, as the Pali language originated, so did its development. From the beginning, Pali language remained the spoken language of the common people for about 300 years, but when Lord Buddha chose it for his sermon and started preaching in this language, within a short time it became the language of the educated community as well. It also became the official language.
The earliest widespread use of the Pali word is found in Acharya Buddha Ghosh's At Katha and his Vishuddhi Maga. There this thing is free from its later linguistic meaning. Acharya Buddha Ghosh has used it in two meanings. The Pali language has its roots in Buddhist and Jain traditions in ancient India. Lord Buddha gave his sermons in Pali, due to which this language became an important medium for spreading Buddhism. Buddhist texts, particularly the Tripitaka, were preserved in the Pali language, a collection of the Buddha's teachings and religious principles. The earliest mention of Pali is found in Buddha Ghosh's commentary. Whereas many scholars have different opinions regarding its origin. Some consider it to be related to the Magadi language while others call it the language of the common people. The study of Pali is very important to understand the history, culture and religious traditions of ancient India. Along with Buddhism, Pali spread outside India and today the language is widely taught in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, China, Japan, Tibet and other Buddhist-dominated countries. The importance of the Pali language lies in its rich literary contribution and preservation of ancient Indian knowledge. Literature written in Pali language plays an important role in preserving the religious heritage of Buddhism.
The most important text of Pali is Tripitaka which is divided into three sections-
First section
Vinaya Pitaka – prescribes religious rules and moral conduct for monks.
Second section
Satta Pitaka – is a collection of teachings of Lord Buddha.
Third section
Abhidhamma Pitaka – deals with in-depth analysis of mind and knowledge.
Pali literature also includes the Jataka tales which present the stories of the previous lives of Lord Buddha. These stories are part of Indian cultural heritage and describe the fundamental principles of morality, religion and society. Through the Pali language, the teachings of Buddhism reached the masses and the literature related to it still preserves the ancient religious and philosophical ideas of India. Pali language was the literary language of the entire central country. It was influenced by the regional dialects of districts and groups like Kaushal, Magadha, Kashi, Panchal, Karu, Vatsa, Sursen, Shakya, Koliya, Malla, Vajji, Videha, Anga etc. Therefore, we can say that Pali language was the language of the middle country and the middle country was its place of origin.
Anyway, language is not a thing of any particular city or country, it has its relation with the community, people and country. Pali getting the status of a classical language will give a new direction to the efforts for the revival of this ancient language. This will prove important in preserving the rich literary contribution of Pali and promoting its study. Under this, the government will encourage research, study and promotion of this language by implementing various schemes. Through this, the importance of Pali language will be reestablished not only at the national but also at the international level.
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Anil Paal
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