Asian Buddhist Summit 2024 delves into spread of Dhamma and the lasting importance of Pali

Nov 06, 2024

New Delhi [India], Nov 06 (ANI): The two-day Asian Buddhist Summit, held from November 5th to 6th, 2024, brought together scholars, experts, and practitioners from Central, Southeast, and East Asia to explore the spread of dhamma and the enduring relevance of the Pali language in understanding the teachings of the Buddha. Organised by International Buddhist Federation, the second day of the summit opened with video and text messages from Buddhist scholars from various parts of the world, sharing their perspectives on the event. There were insightful discussions on the importance of understanding Buddhist traditions, particularly from the perspective of Central Asia. The first session was moderated by Prof. Richard Sasaki, Founder and Director of the Nalanda Centre for Buddhist Studies in Brazil. Speakers including Prof Surat Kubaev of Uzbekistan's Alfraganus University and monk Junsei Tarasawa, a Buddhist expert working in Kyrgyzstan, highlighted the formation and spread of Buddhism in Central Asia. One of the summit's most significant sessions focused on the relevance of Pali language and literature in understanding the Buddha Dhamma. This topic sparked deep reflections on how the ancient language of Pali continues to shape contemporary Buddhist thought and practice, resonating deeply with the audience and furthering understanding of Buddhist philosophy.