Buddhism’s Potential to Counter Sectarianism

• President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the first Asian Buddhist Summit in New Delhi.
• The summit aimed to discuss the role of Buddhism in strengthening Asia and countering “narrow sectarianism.”
• The central message of these schools of Buddhism is peace and non-violence.
• The two-day summit was organized by the Union Culture Ministry and the International Buddhist Confederation.
• The President emphasized the importance of compassion, the essence of the Buddha Dhamma.
• The Indian government granted classical language status to Pali and Prakrit, contributing to their preservation and revitalization.
• Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat emphasized India’s commitment to strengthening the “Dhamma Setu”, the Buddhist bridge connecting Asian nations.
• The summit aims to foster Buddhist diplomatic relations, address contemporary social issues through Buddhist perspectives, strengthen cultural bonds between Buddhist nations, promote Buddhist tourism and pilgrimage, and preserve ancient Buddhist manuscripts and artefacts.