The First Global Buddhist Summit Held in New Delhi, Bringing Together the Buddhist World

International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) is the world’s leading Buddhist organization that joins hands with 300 Buddhist organizations spread across the globe, together with many powerful countries worldwide. With its headquarters established in New Delhi, India, this international organization annually carries out many unique services for the Buddhist world.

The first Global Buddhist Summit was held in the Hotel Ashok in New Delhi, India, on April 20 and 21, 2023. Mr. Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, was the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony, and he delivered the keynote address on the first day of the summit. Also, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, who is honoured as the spiritual leader of the world, presided over the second day of this academic conference, attended by Buddhist religious leaders, spiritual leaders, senior ministers of the government of India, and many Buddhist scholars.

A special delegation from Sri Lanka also participated in this historic occasion. Most Venerable Dr Waskaduwē Mahindawansha Mahānāyake Thero of the Sri Sambuddha Śāsanōdaya Sangha Sabhā of the Amarapura Mahā Nikāya of Sri Lanka was present on the dais with His Holiness the Dalai Lama along with many other global Buddhist leaders. Further, Most Venerable Professor Pallēkande Ratanasāra Anunayake Thero, Chief Sangha Nāyaka in Russia, Most Venerable Ihaḷa Halmillǟewē Rathanapāla Nayake Thero, Chief Incumbent of Jetavanārāma, Anuradhapura, Most Venerable Wǟtara Mahinda Thero, Former Head of the Department of Archaeology, University of Perādeniya, and also Senior Professor Chandima Wijebandara, Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayawardhanapura, Professor Anura Manathunga, Director General of Archaeology, and Professor G.A. Somarathne also participated in this occasion.

A prominent author, Professor Robert Thurman, who is a pioneer who took Buddhist philosophy and teachings closer to the Western world and established this subject as a field of education in that region, who has also written many valuable books on Indo-Tibetan Buddhism and translated many other works, also joined the summit as a special guest and delivered the keynote speech of the panel discussion of the first day. On the same day, Most Venerable Thích Trí Quang, the Sangharāja Thero of Vietnam, conducted the keynote speech of the sangha discussion. Also, the participation of Professor Chandima Wijebandara, Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayawardhanapura, who joined the summit as a principal resource person who addressed the conference, was an opportunity that brought pride to Sri Lanka. Dr. Damenda Pōrage, representing Sri Lanka, presented the New Delhi Declaration at this historic event.

In Sri Lanka, the Foundation for Buddhist Brotherhood joined hands with the International Buddhist Confederation in organization and coordination activities. Dr Damenda Porage, Deputy Secretary General of the International Buddhist Confederation, and Educationist Dr Shermila Milroy, representing the Executive Council of the said Confederation, joined this Global Buddhist Summit. The theme of this Buddhist Summit was ”Responses to Contemporary Challenges: Philosophy to Praxis”. To respond to challenges in the contemporary world by practically applying the theories contained in Buddhist philosophy.

This summit is a great blessing to the present world and its people. We must thank the Government of India, led by Mr Shri Narendra Modi, for hosting it and making such a timely effort. The contribution and mentorship of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who is spreading the word of Buddha and the message of compassion to the world, are also worth remembering here with utmost respect.

© satipatthana magazine