The Union Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), hosted the First Asian Buddhist Summit (ABS) on November 5-6, 2024, in New Delhi.
Key points
- The summit, themed “Role of Buddha Dhamma in Strengthening Asia,” featured esteemed Sangha leaders, scholars, and practitioners from across the continent, fostering dialogue and understanding while addressing contemporary challenges faced by the Buddhist community.
- The President of India also attended as the Chief Guest.
Journey of Buddha Dhamma
- The journey of Buddha Dhamma began in the 6th century BCE when Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment and began sharing his profound insights.
- Following the Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana, his teachings were preserved and disseminated by his followers, leading to the emergence of the three major Buddhist traditions: Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana.
- The Mauryan Emperor Ashoka (268-232 BCE) played a crucial role in propagating Buddha Dhamma, demonstrating how its teachings could transform society by fostering peace, happiness, and harmony.
- His governance was rooted in Dhamma principles, and his rock and pillar edicts stand as enduring symbols of the widespread dissemination of Buddhism across Asia.
- As Buddhism grew, various monastic schools emerged, resulting in a significant split by the first century CE, which led to the development of Mahayana and Nikaya Buddhism, with Theravada as the only surviving Nikaya school.
- Buddhism’s influence extended beyond India, adapting to local cultures as it spread north through Central Asia into East Asia, forming the Northern branch, and east to Southeast Asia, creating the Southern branch.
- The adaptability of Buddhist teachings and the emergence of diverse interpretations have allowed the religion to meet the spiritual needs of various cultures throughout history.
- Buddha Cārikā or the sublime wandering of the Buddha played an important role in the dissemination of the Buddha Dhamma.
- After attaining enlightenment, the Buddha travelled across India spreading his teachings among commoners.
- Kasyapa Matanga and Dharmaratna were Indian Buddhist monks who are traditionally believed to have introduced Buddhism to China.
- Masers like Atish Dipankara and Bodhidharma contribute to the dissemination of Buddha Dharma and in Tibet and East Asia.
