Culture and Tourism Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat stated that under the leadership of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is working to establish peace in the world by following the path of Buddha. Addressing the 2nd Global Buddhist Summit as a Chief Guest held in Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi today he wishes that the summit will be successful in establishing "collective wisdom, united voice, and mutual coexistence."
Addressing the summit Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that Buddha`s teachings continue to illuminate the path of harmony and coexistence. He described India as the land of Buddha and stated that the Indian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is working to promote Buddhism. Addressing welcome address in the summit, Director General of International Buddhist Confederation Abhijeet Halder welcomed all the international delegates and extended his best wishes for the successful of two-day conference.
Maris Sangiampongsa, former Foreign Minister of Thailand; Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien of Vietnam; Gyeltrul Jigme Rinpoche of India; Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche of Bhutan; Most Venerable Ashin Kumara of Myanmar; Prof. Dr. Subarna Lal Bajracharya of Nepal; Rev. Kosho Tomioka of Japan; Master Shih Jian-Yin of Taiwan; Ven. Ananda Bhante of India; and renowned Buddhist scholar Prof. Robert Thurman of the United States, among others will express their views on different sessions in two day conference.
The Summit’s deliberations will be structured around five thematic sessions: collective wisdom and united voice for social harmony; entrepreneurship and right livelihood in Buddha Dhamma; scientific research, healthcare, medicine and sustainable living; learning in the light of Buddha Dhamma; and Sangha dynamics, including roles, rituals and practice.
Headquartered in New Delhi under the aegis of the Culture Ministry, the International Buddhist Confederation was established in 2011 and has a global membership of more than 300 monastic and lay organisations. Guided by its motto “Collective Wisdom, United Voice,” the IBC works to integrate Buddhist values into global discourse while promoting inclusiveness and balanced representation across traditions and communities worldwide.