A two-day International Buddha Dhamma Conclave, titled “Buddha Dharma and Culture of Northeast India,” was recently held in Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh. Buddhist monks and scholars from South Asia and Southeast Asia attended the conclave, discussing the spiritual and cultural ties that transcend borders through the practice of Buddhism.
The International Buddha Dhamara Conclave was held under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Culture. The Conclave was organised by the New Delhi-based International Buddhist Confederation in partnership with the Buddhist organisation Mahabodhi Maitri Mandala and with the support of the Arunachal Pradesh government.
The International Buddhist Confederation is a global umbrella organisation of Buddhist bodies. The International Buddhist Confederation works to preserve and promote Buddhist heritage around the world.
The International Buddha Dhamara Conclave was inaugurated by the Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Chowna Mein.
The Conclave was attended by Buddhist monastic communities, cultural historians, and policy thinkers from India, Myanmar,Cambodia,Bhutan,Thailand, and Sri Lanka. All these countries of South Asia and Southeast Asia have rich Buddhist cultural heritage.
Buddhist legacy in Northeast India
The Northeastern states, especially Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and parts of Assam, have a rich Buddhist heritage.
These state has historical ties with Tibet, which is Buddhist. Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism have a great influence in these states.
Tawang Monastery in Arunachal Pradesh is the largest monastery in India.
The 6th Dalai Lama was born in Tawang. The Dalai Lama is considered the spiritual and temporal king of Tibet.
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