A one-day international conference titled ‘Contribution of Nalanda Mahavihara in the dissemination of Buddha Dhamma’ was held in New Delhi, organized by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), the Ministry of Culture, and Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.
The event brought together sangha members, scholars, practitioners, diplomats, and academics from India and countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, and the United States.
The conference featured four discussion panels that addressed the historical evolution, philosophical contributions, and institutional framework of Nalanda Mahavihara; the lives and works of distinguished Acharya (masters); the rise and fall of Nalanda; and its global dissemination and contemporary relevance.
Nalanda Mahavihara, located in modern-day Bihar, India, was established during the Gupta dynasty and thrived for nearly 800 years as the world’s first residential monastic university, becoming a significant center for intellectual discourse and intercultural dialogue.
Opening the conference, Shartse Khensur Jangchup Choeden Rinpoche emphasized the Buddha’s message as an invitation to inquiry and understanding. In his keynote address, HE Gyeltrul Jigme Rinpoche remarked on Nalanda’s ruins today, noting that its philosophy and awareness continue to be relevant.
Discussions included the contributions of prominent figures like Aryabhatta, who formalized mathematical concepts, and the importance of patrons who supported Nalanda’s legacy. Indra Prasad Kafle highlighted the seven kinds of intelligence within the Nalanda tradition, while Lopen Lungtaen Gyatso stressed the importance of human intellect in the age of AI.
The conference featured insights from various scholars, including Ven Kaveri Gill and Lama Aria Drolma, who discussed the broader implications of Buddhist teachings. Basanta Kumar Bidari concluded by noting that Nalanda’s rise was a civilizational flowering that fostered rigorous debate and philosophical evolution.
