President inaugurates Buddhist conclave

President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday said that spread of Buddhism from India to the world has been the basis of an early form of globalisation.

“The voyage of Buddhism from India to Asia and the transcontinental links that were created carried more than just spiritualism. They carried a rich cargo of knowledge and learning. They carried arts and crafts. They carried meditation techniques and even martial arts,” Kovind said, inaugurating the International Buddhist Conclave (IBC), 2018 in New Delhi.

“Eventually, the many roads that the monks and nuns - those men and women of faith - carved out became among the earliest trade routes. In that sense, Buddhism was the basis for an early form of globalisation – and of inter-connectedness in our continent. It is these principles and values that must continue to guide us,” said President.

The four-day long conclave is being organised by the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the state governments of Maharashtra, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Apart from New Delhi, it is also being held at Ajanta in Maharashtra, followed by site visits to Rajgir, Nalanda and Bodhgaya in Bihar and Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh.

President on Thursday also launched the Ministry of Tourism website on important Buddhist sites – indiathelandofbuddha.in.

The delegates from the 29 countries are participating in the conclave.

K J Alphons, Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge), said that India has a rich ancient Buddhist Heritage with several important sites associated with the life of Lord Buddha. “The Indian Buddhist Heritage is of great interest to the followers of Buddhism the world over. The aim of the Conclave is to showcase and project the Buddhist Heritage in India and boost tourism to the Buddhist sites in the country and cultivate friendly ties with countries and communities interested in Buddhism,” he said.