The World Peace Conference 2025 was held from August 23 to 25 in the Himalayan town of Leh. The event commenced with the dedication of the Six Guardians of Peace: Roku Jizō statues at the Buddha Park, Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC), Leh. The consecration was led by Rev. Koya Matsuoka and Ms. Sachiko of Susono Komyoji Temple, Japan, in the presence of Hon’ble Chairman/CEC, LAHDC Leh, Adv. Tashi Gyalson, Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena, Director General, International Buddhist Confederation Shri Abhijit Halder and other distinguished international delegations attending the conference.

The event was facilitated by Jin Young Lim and Stanzin Gurmet from the Spawo Foundation, marking a symbolic offering of peace from Japan to the Himalayas of Ladakh. The three-day conference was jointly organised by MIMC in collaboration with the Ladakh Shanti Stupa Committee, Thiksey Monastery, LAHDC Leh, UT Administration of Ladakh, Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace (ABCP), International Association of Educators for World Peace (IAEWP), Global Peace Foundation (GPF), and other interfaith and civil society organisations.

Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena, Founder-President of MIMC, in his welcome address, reflected on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, reminding humanity of Hiroshima and Nagasaki while urging the world to transform painful memories into a force for compassion and global solidarity.

Hon’ble Chairman/CEC, Adv. Tashi Gyalson attended as the chief guest. In his keynote address, the Hon’ble CEC extended congratulations on the conferment of the World Peace Award and to all the dignitaries and peace advocates present at the conference. He stated that peace requires not just words but meaningful and constructive actions, stressing that the real challenge today is not against one another but against climate change and environmental threats.

Shri Abhijit Halder, Director General, International Buddhist Confederation, stressed dialogue as the key to bridging divides. He also emphasized the relevance of mindfulness and interconnectedness, while framing larger strategic policies to ensure world peace.

The conference witnessed two days of hectic discussions on a range of topics hinging on peace deliverables with experts from different backgrounds speaking their minds out. Representatives of different religious faiths also presented their perspectives on global peace. A peace march was also held at the Leh city centre on March 23 accompanied by a cultural programme.

The event concluded with a grand event at the Shanti Stupa in Leh with participation of monks from Japan and India besides the participants to the event. DG IBC was the Chief Guest at the concluding event. He mentioned that just as the people of Ladakh had felt the anxiety and tension that prevails when war clouds loom large in the region, the people of Japan had also witnessed the terrible outcome of the Hiroshima Nagasaki bombings. He emphasised that the Shanti Stupa was symbolic in that sense as it was constructed by Buddhists from Japan and India.

On August 24, 2025, His Holiness the Dalai Lama attended a luncheon programme at Abi-Spang Spituk in Leh, Ladakh, hosted by the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) and the Ladakh Gonpa Association (LGA). The event was held to honour him and featured welcome remarks, performances by local villagers, and His Holiness engaging with the gathered crowd.

His Holiness attended the event despite heavy rain and was welcomed by the President of the LGA. DG IBC was a special invitee at the event along with Hon'ble Chairman/CEC and other distinguished guests. He joined the luncheon hosted on the occasion.

The event also included cultural performances and speeches from local representatives, such as Ven Dorjay Stanzin of the LGA.