Annual Reports


ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

1.  Buddha Jayanti Celebrations
2.  The 2nd International Dialogue on Vinaya
3.  Asian Buddhist Media Conclave

PM Modi at Buddha Jayanti Celebrations at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, in New Delhi on April 30th 2018

Prime Minister NarendraModi on Monday inaugurated the 'Buddha Jayanti 2018' celebrations at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. PM Modi gave away the Sankh to 14 monks from India, Sri Lanka, and Japan, who came to attend the celebrations.Buddha Jayantiwas organised by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC). A conglomerate of Buddhist institutions had come together to showcase the various facets of Buddhist traditions.

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Hon’blePrime Minister of India Greeting Monks

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The Prime Minister flanked by Minister of State for Culture Mahesh Sharma (left) Chairman of the organizing committee, Minister of State for Home KirenRijiju as Co-chairperson (right), the Secretary Culture Raghvendra Singh (extreme left) and IBC’s Secretary General Dr Ven. Dhammapiya (extreme right), the Convenor of the Organizing Committee.

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The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India addressing a packed Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.

The Prime Ministeralso offered Sangh Dana. He presented the VaishakhSammaanPrashastiPatra to the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath; and the All India BhikshuSangha, Bodh Gaya.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister asserted that India is home to a unique heritage, where the overriding thought has always been the benefit of mankind. He said that the teachings of Lord Buddha have shaped many nations. He said India has never been an aggressor.
ShriNarendraModi said that the Government is working with compassion to serve people, in line with the path shown by Lord Buddha. He also said the Union Government is working with an elaborate vision, to preserve the cultural heritage of India, which includes the heritage associated with Lord Buddha. He said a sum of Rs. 360 crore has been approved for the Buddhist Circuit.
The Prime Minister exhorted the gathering to make a contribution towards the New India of 2022, when the country will celebrate 75 years of freedom. He asked everyone to identify some tasks, which they could resolve to accomplish by that date.

The 2nd International Dialogue on Vinaya Theravada and Mulasarvastivada (Nalanda Tradition) was held from 28 June - 01 July 2018 at Hotel Pride Plaze, Aerocity, New Delhi

It was attended by Monks from the Theravada and Mulasarvastivada (Nalanda Tradition) representing Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Vietnam as well as many from India. The List is attached below.

The seminar’s aim was to address similarities among the two schools of Vinaya. By coming together in a dialogue, they were able to see where they complemented each other? These dialogues enable the participants to contribute to solving current problems of extreme materialism, erosion of values and violence etc.? This requires a historical, social and ethical enquiry into respective methodologies. As the topic is vast, the dialogue proposes each time include only a certain aspects of the Vinaya

Vinaya literature and application of it in real life is kept alive by Buddhist monastic community for millenniums by resisting various types of hardships, pressure and suppression in history. Out of all the different schools of Vinaya practices; three are still surviving today and in fact thriving in the present era. These are Theravada, Mulasarvastivada and Dharmaguptika. Theravada tradition is widely followed in South Asian countries while Mulasarvastivada is followed primarily in Central Asian countries and Dharmaguptika is followed in East Asian countries.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been leading the dialogue among followers of difference schools of Vinaya.

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The Participants at the Vinaya Meet

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His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the inauguration of the Vinaya Meet.

List of participants at the 2nd Dialogue on Vinaya

S.No Name Title Country/State
1 GesheSonamWangchukBeri Sera Jey Monastery Himachal Pradesh
2 Yangten Rinpoche Office of HH Dalai Lama Himachal Pradesh
3 Dzongsar Khenpo Chhoying Dorje Dzongsar Khyentse Chokyilodro Institute Himachal Pradesh
4 Rinchin Gompo Representative, Abbot, GadenShartse Monastery Himachal Pradesh
5 Ven. Tenzin Labsum Translator Himachal Pradesh
6 Ven. Khensur Rinpoche Dawa Gaden Jangtse Monastery Karnataka
7 Tashi Phuntsok Assistant to Ven. Khensur Rinpoche Dawa Karnataka
8 Tsering Motup Representative, Abbot, TashiLhunpo Monastery Karnataka
9 Tsering Choedhar Managing Trustee, Namdroling Monastery Karnataka
10 Ven. Lobsang Rinchen Representative, Abbot of Gomang Monastery Karnataka
11 Ven. Jamayang Gedun Scholar, DrepungGomang Monastery Karnataka
12 Ven. Jangchup Phuntsok Scholar, GadenShartse Monastery Karnataka
13 Geshe Tenzin Phuntsok Representative , Abbot, Sera JeyAbboty Karnataka
14 Geshe Lobsang Lekshi Sera Jey Monastery Karnataka
15 Ven. Dr. Dhammapiya Secretary General, IBC Tripura
16 Ven Khemachara Bhikkhu Chairman, Siddhartha Buddha Vihara Trust Tripur
17 Khenpo Konchok Rangdol Drigung Kagyu Institute Uttarakhand
18 Ven. Lama Lobzang President, IBC India
19 Most Ven. Sandimar Abhivamsa Secretary General, State Sangha Committee of Myanmar Myanmar
20 Most Ven. SumanaBivisa Aggha Maha Ganthavacakapandita, Aggha Maha Pandita, Aggha Maha Saddhamajotikadhaja, State Maha Sangha Nayaka Committe Myanmar
21 Most Ven. CeintitarLinkara Aggha Maha Ganthavacakapandita, Aggha Maha Pandita, Aggha Maha Saddhamajotikadhaja, State Maha Sangha Nayaka Committee Myanmar
22 Most Ven. Pannatzza Sayadaw   Myanmar
23 Most Ven. Gyaneshwar Bhante Myanmar
24 Most Ven. Dr. AshinNandaka Pro Rector of Dhammaduta Chekinda University Myanmar
25 Ven. Dr. Candamukha Lecturer of International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University. Myanmar
26 Ven. Dr. Kevala Lecturer of Dhammaduta Buddha University Myanmar
27 Ven. Dr. Jagara Bhivamsa Pitakattaya Paragu Myanmar
28 Mr. PyoneKhai Professor . University of Abhidhamma Myanmar
29 Dr. HninHnin Aye Professor - University of Abhidhamma, Vice President - World Alliance of Buddhist (WAB), Vice President - International Buddhist Confederation Myanmar
30 Mr. Myat Thu Assistance of State SanghaMahanayaka Committee Myanmar
31 Ven. Thu Wi Ra Assistance of State SanghaMahanayaka Committee Myanmar
32 Most Ven. AshinIndaka Dhamma Garden Centre Myanmar
33 Dr. Indobhasha Lecturer, Dhammaduta Buddha University Myanmar
34 Ven. Ghosaka M.Phil, Gautam Buddha University (GBU) Myanmar
35 Ashin Dhammapiya MA, Gautam Buddha University Myanmar
36 Ven. Tiloka Gautam Buddha University Myanmar
37 Ven. Jagaralankara Gautam Buddha University Myanmar
38 Nun   Myanmar
39 Nun   Myanmar
40 Upasika   Myanmar
41 Upasika   Myanmar
42 Upasika   Myanmar
43 Upasak   Myanmar
44 Most Ven. Kotugoda Dhammawasa Mahanayake Thero Supreme Patriarch, Sri Amarapura Maha Nikaya Sri Lanka
45 Ven. Shestra Saroj Thero Assistant to the Supreme Patriarch Sri Lanka
46 Mr. Salpadoru Tholka Mudalige Thusitha Madhushanka Assistant to the Supreme Patriarch Sri Lanka
47 Ven. Madihe Sugathasiri Thera Senior Lecturer, University of Colombo Sri Lanka
48 Dr. Damenda Porage Deputy Secretary General of IBC Sri Lanka
48 Chandana Chitral Somapala Singer, Musician Sri Lanka
49 Dr.Yo Hsiang Chou Executive Director, Global Network of Holy Path Taiwan
50 Miss Nitinant Wisaweisuan Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Thammasat University Thailand Thailand
51 Ms. Aphinita Chaichana   Thailand
52 Ven. Thich NhatTu Vice Rector, Vietnam Buddhist University & Vice Director of National Department of International Buddhist Affairs Vietnam
53 Dr. Arvind Kumar Singh Assistant Professor & Head, School of Buddhist Studies & Civilization Gautam Buddha University, Uttar Pradesh
54 Dr. Atul Krishna Founder Chairman, VivekanandSubharti University, Meerut Uttar Pradesh
55 Dr. Ashok Kumar Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut  
56 Dr. HeeroHito Director, Centre for Buddhist Studies, VivekanandSubharti University, Meerut Uttar Pradesh
57 Dr. Rohit Ravindra Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut Uttar Pradesh
58 Dr. Shalya Raj Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut Uttar Pradesh
59 Ravi Awasthy Ministry of Culture Delhi
60 Mrs Awasthy   Delhi

Asian Buddhist Media Conclave – Mindful Communication for Conflict Avoidance and Sustainable Development- 27 and 28 August 2018

The Conclave was held at Vivekananda International Foundation by VIF in collaboration with International Buddhist Confederation. The Chief Guest was from Sri Lanka, Dr SarathAmmunugama, the Minister of Science Technology, Research, Skills Development and Vocational Training and Kandyan Heritage. The Keynote Address was presented by Shri S Gurumurthy, Vice Chairman, Vivekananda International Foundation, Senior Columnist and Political &Economic Analyst.

At the Valedictory the Chief Guest was ShriKirenRijiju, Minister of State for Home, Govt of India who also delivered the closing address.

The main emphasis of the Conclave was to discuss contemporary media in the context Buddhist values and a Buddhist Approach. Media had become too much Commercial, adversarial and conflict driven. There was need to decolonise mindset, techniques and processes and syllabus for media training. Media shapes public culture, opinions and views. Therefore need to re visit and reflect on and alternative approach as societal values were being framed by it. Media needs to inculcate a perspective of Development with Values. Buddhism’s Mindful Communication model can play a role to include a Human centric approach.

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Minister KirenRijiju is flankedDr.Arvind Gupta, Director, VIF (left), Dr Ven. Dhammapiya Secretary General, IBC and Dr KalingaSeneviratne, the Convenor of the Conclave from Lotus Communication Network, Singapore

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The participants at the Conclave

The Conclave was divided into the following sessions: Mindful Communication for Conflict Avoidance and Sustainable Development- an Indic-Buddhist Approach, Mapping the Path 1 - Launching a Mindful Communication for Sustainable Development Training Network, Buddhism in the Media – Country Perspectives and Bringing Buddha Dhamma to Popular Culture.

The Conclave had participants from Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Laos, Cambodia, Singapore and India.