With a view to showcasing and projecting the Buddhist heritage and pilgrim sites of India, the Ministry of Tourism is organizing the “5th International Buddhist Conclave (from 2nd to 6th October 2016)”
| Q | A |
|---|---|
| Context: | With a view to showcasing and projecting the Buddhist heritage and pilgrim sites of India, the Ministry of Tourism is organizing the “5th International Buddhist Conclave (from 2nd to 6th October 2016)” in Varanasi-Sarnath in collaboration with the State Governments of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. This year’s International Buddhist Conclave is very special as ASEAN as a Guest of Honour partner and a large participation is expected from ASEAN Countries which are also major source markets for India in general and the Buddhist Heritage sites in particular. Participants in the Buddhist Conclave will include international Buddhist opinion makers, tour operators and media, as well as State Governments and domestic tour operators promoting pilgrimages to the Buddhist sites in the country. |
| Participating nations | Ministry of Tourism has received over 250 nominations from 38 countries such as Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, USA and Vietnam for participation in the Conclave. |
| What is the history of the international Buddhist Conclave? | The foundation for Buddhism was laid down by Prince Siddhartha at a time when he renounced his family and went on to become the Buddha. The knowledge he gained through his enlightenment started spreading far and wide. It spread not only in different parts of India, but other parts of the world as well. India, the birthplace of Buddhism, has a very rich Buddhist Heritage, with several important sites associated with the life of Lord Buddha which are essential pilgrimages for followers of Buddhism the world over.
Now, Buddhism has a global following in excess of 500 million people, and is among the leading faiths of the world. Starting from India, where Buddhism originated, the profound teachings of this faith spread in Asia and beyond over the centuries. The philosophies and thoughts attached to Buddhism remain relevant even in the modern world. The event will give the participants an opportunity to interact, promote, package and sell pilgrimage itineraries to the Buddhist sites in the country, for overseas visitors. International Buddhist Conclaves have earlier been organized in New Delhi and Bodhgaya (February 2004); Nalanda and Bodhgaya (February 2010), Varanasi and Bodh Gaya (September 2012) and Bodhgaya – Varanasi (2014). As of now, careful efforts are being made to complete the Buddha Theme Park in Sarnath. Showcasing the best of Buddhist tradition, ideas, and pilgirm sites have been one of the primary agendas of the previously held conclaves. |
| Agenda: | The International Buddhist Conclave is also one of the initiatives being taken by India as its commitment as the land of origin of Buddhism and to improve the experience of pilgrims as well as tourists wishing to savor the essence of Buddhist heritage, at the Buddhist sites of the country.The Conclave will include Presentations, Panel discussions, Business to Business Meetings between international and domestic tour operators and State Governments, an exhibition highlighting Buddhist attractions in India, as well as visits to important Buddhist sites in and around Varanasi, Sarnath and Bodhgaya. |
| Budgetary Allocation: | A provision of Rs. 707.40 crore was proposed in the 2016-17 Budget for Integrated Development of Tourist Circuits around Specific Themes (Swadesh Darshan), and Rs 100 crore for national mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD). Besides, a sum of Rs 900 crore was proposed for tourism infrastructure, Rs. 92.60 crore for other support to infrastructure, Rs. 412.87 crore for promotion and publicity (including market development assistance), and Rs. 160.50 crore for training and skill development of the destinations being covered under both the schemes.Some of the most important destinations in the Buddhist circuit of Uttar Pradesh include the following:
1. Lumbini:Lumbini in southern Nepal is where Queen Mayadevi gave birth to Prince Siddhartha. Pilgrimages focus on the sacred garden which contains the site of the birth, the Mayadevi temple, the Pashkarni pond and the Ashoka pillar. Designed by Japanese architect Kenzo Tange, the sacred garden of Lumbini is a World Heritage Site with monasteries from many Buddhist nations. It is recognised as a supreme pilgrimage site and symbol of world peace. The single most important place in Lumbini is the stone slab located deep in the Sanctum Sanctorum. In addition to the Ashoa Pillar, the other shrine of importance is the bas-relief image of Maya Devi, kept in a small pagoda-like structure. 2. Bodhgaya:It was in Bodhgaya in Bihar, India that Prince Siddhartha found Enlightenment (nirvana) under the bodhi tree after meditating for 49 days. Primary points of homage are the Mahabodhi Temple, the Vajrasan throne donated by King Ashoka, the holy Bodhi Tree, the Animeshlochana chaitya, the Ratnachankramana, the Ratnagaraha, the Ajapala Nigrodha Tree, the Muchhalinda Lake and the Rajyatna Tree. 3. Sarnath:Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath after achieving enlightenment, about 10 km from the ancient holy city of Varanasi. The sermon, setting in motion the wheel of the teaching (dharamchakrapravartna) revealed to his followers the 4 noble truths, the concept of the 3 jewels of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha via the 8 fold path, for inner peace and enlightenment. It was here that the Buddha established his first disciples (sangha) to promote his new doctrine. 4. Kushinagar:At Kushinagar close to Gorakhpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh, India en route to Kapilavastu, Lord Buddha fell ill and left this world in 543 BC. His mortal remains were preserved in eight commemorative chortens, and then further distributed by King Ashoka into 84,000 stupas across his kingdom and beyond. Important places to see here are the Mukatanabandhana stupa and the Gupta period reclining Buddha statue in red sandstone. a. Besides the above Four Major High Significant Buddhist Pilgrimage sites, there are other places that hold special meaning in the life of Lord Buddha. i. Vaishali:The Buddha preached his last sermon before his death at Vaishali in Bihar, 60 km away from its capital Patna. It was here that he told his disciple Ananda about his imminent demise. The Second Buddhist Council was held in Vaishala about 110 years later. ii. Rajgir & Nalanda University:About 70 km from Bodhgaya, Rajgir he spread his doctrine. It was at the holy Griddhikuta Hill that he expounded the precepts of his Lotus Sutra and the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra. The Saptaparni Caves set on Vaibhar Hill were the venue of the First Buddhist Council, held to compile the teachings of the Buddha in its authentic form, after his death. The world-renowned university of Nalanda is another important landmark site. iii. Shravasti:About 150 km from the city of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, where he Buddha performed his first miracle. |