Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first Global Buddhist Summit

Tags: Summits National News

On 20 April, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first Global Buddhist Summit in New Delhi. Summit was hosted by the Ministry of Culture in association with the International Buddhist Confederation.

An Overview of the news 

• The summit is a two-day event that brought together eminent scholars, union leaders and religious practitioners from around the world.

• Theme:  "Responses to Contemporary Challenges: Philosophy to Praxis".

• The summit was attended by delegates from around 30 countries, including 171 delegates from foreign countries and 150 delegates from Indian Buddhist organisations.

• The primary focus of the summit is to examine the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha, which have been continuously enriched by the practice of Buddhism over the centuries.

• Prominent Buddhist monks from various countries came to India for the first time and participated in the summit.

• The summit will explore how Buddhist philosophy and thought can help address contemporary challenges.

• The summit highlights the significance and importance of India in Buddhism, as Buddhism originated in India.

• The summit is also an opportunity to enhance cultural and diplomatic ties with other countries.

Buddhism in India

• It is one of the important religions of South and South-Eastern Asian countries.

• Buddhism started in India about 2600 years ago.

• Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was born in Lumbini around 563 BC. He belonged to the Shakya dynasty.

• Buddha is considered to be the eighth incarnation of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu.

• The core teachings of Buddhism are contained in the Four Noble Truths and the core concept of the Eightfold Path.

• The essence of Buddhism lies in the attainment of enlightenment or nirvana, which can be achieved in this life.

• The branches of Buddhism are Mahayana (idolatry), Hinayana, Theravada, Vajrayana (Tantric Buddhism), and Zen.