Butwal, May 5: Buddhist monks and experts from different countries who have arrived in Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, said that challenges surfacing in the world could be averted through Buddhist teachings.
They also insisted on promoting Buddhist education to make it useful for life in order to end natural imbalance, animosity and mutual disharmony seen in the world. Thailand’s Prof Dr Monk Sugandha (Anil Shakya) said Buddha’s teachings are essential to lead a person’s life to a positive direction. He said Buddha’s teaching is important to maintain friendship, compassion and peace in the world and expressed his belief that such seminars will help for developing shared understanding.
Likewise, Dr. Ramesh Chandra Paudel, a member of the National Planning Commission, opined for utilizing the Buddhist teaching in a practical way. He further argued the development of peace and fraternity will increase when Buddhist education is promoted by connecting nearly one billion Buddhist followers in the world. Lumbini Buddhist University Vice-Chancellor Suvarna Lal Bajracharya said that the seminar will play an important role in sharing insights and viewpoints in the propagation of Buddhist education, exchanging educational and cultural values and contributing to the global promotion of Buddhist values.
Dr. Manikaratna Shakya, Dean of the Faculty of Buddhist Studies, said it is necessary to use Buddhist teachings in practical life to address global challenges. Also speaking on the occasion, Chinese Bhante Dawjin, Japan’s Kohji Ohkura, Myanmar’s Monk Shovit, Mongolia’s Sen Negui, Nepal’s Khangs or Rimpoche expressed urged everyone to follow Buddhist education as it is essential practical knowledge for life.
On the first day of the symposium, Dr. Shovit Shakya from Estonia, Prof Dr Bijoy Baruwa from Bangladesh, and monk Vinay Nanda from Myanmar discussed how Buddhist education and good governance could be used. Dr. Sachini Hansika from Sri Lanka, Mathew Ricard from France, the happiest person in the world, emphasized that it is necessary to implement Buddha’s teachings in life for happiness, peace and non-violence.
Similarly, Prof. Dr. Uday Kumar from India, Prof. Dr. SattSandar from Myanmar, Prof. Dr. Kristi Chang from Taiwan, Bhikshu Buddhaghosh from Myanmar, Dr. Sonia Gomes from Portugal and others said that it is necessary to embrace Buddhist education to make people morally responsible.
Writers Sonu Gurung, Mohan Singh Gurung, Vikshu Calson and others commented on the working paper at the programme. Buddhist monks and experts from various countries including Nepal, Thailand, France, Estonia, Myanmar, Japan, Bangladesh, India, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Portugal, and Norway are participating in the seminar.
Acharya Balakrishna, Dr. Chintamani Yogi, Bhanu Sharma, Prof. Dr. Vishal Sitaula, Prof. Dr. Kshitij Barakoti and Dr. Vikasananda will present papers on Buddhist philosophy and yoga. There will be a discussion on the papers on Sunday .
