NEW DELHI: The Dalai Lama is set to inaugurate the First International Sangha Forum at Bodhgaya in Bihar to host global Buddhist leaders on Wednesday.
The forum is slated to be inaugurated according to the theme “Bridging Traditions, Embracing Modernity: A Dialogue on the Buddha’s Teaching in Today’s World”.
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The sacred place of Gautama Buddha’s enlightenment will host over 2,000 Sangha members and other guests from across 33 countries, among practitioners of Pali, Sanskrit and Tibetan Buddhist traditions.
The three-day conference will feature addresses from Sangharajas, Abbots, and heads of Buddhist institutions, emphasising the shared benefits of study and practice across traditions. The primary focus is on augmenting collaboration and understanding while acknowledging the unique strengths of each tradition.
On December 23, the Dalai Lama will participate in a World Peace Prayer Session with delegates, further uniting participants at the Mahabodhi Stupa.
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The ISF aims to foster dialogue on the intricate aspects of Vinaya rules and explore the evolving role of Buddhism in the 21st century, a press release stated.
During the initial three days of the event, monks, nuns, and Bhikkhu scholars will engage in profound discussions, delving into the intricate teachings of Buddhism. These discussions set the stage for the forum’s culmination, marked by a prayer gathering at Bodhgaya’s Mahabodhi Temple on the concluding day.
In the event, practitioners from Pali traditions of Southeast and South Asian countries and Sanskrit traditions from various parts of the world will discuss Vinaya rules and Buddhism’s contemporary relevance.
This event follows the recent International Tipitaka Chanting Programme in Bodhgaya, where thousands of monks and nuns gathered to recite the teachings of Buddha.
The ISF contributes to the revival of holy places associated with Buddha, serving as a platform for the global Sangha to exchange ideas.
