Three-Day Pali Literature Conference inaugurated on Saturday.
Lucknow, November 9, 2024 / The three-day Pali Literature Conference 2024 was inaugurated on November 9, 2024, in Lucknow, under the aegis of the International Buddhist Research Institute, a division of Uttar Pradesh's Department of Culture, and the Tourism Department. The event, being held at the Buddha Vihar Shanti Upvan in Alambagh, runs from November 9 to 11 and focuses on the theme "The Contribution of Pali Literature in Promoting World Peace and Harmony." More than 800 Buddhist monks, scholars, and devotees from across the world have gathered to participate in the International Buddhist Conclave. In the opening session, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya highlighted the importance of Pali, and said "Lord Gautam Buddha delivered his teachings in the Pali language." He praised the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government for granting Pali the status of a classical language, which has further elevated its recognition. The deputy chief minister also spoke about on-going development efforts at key Buddhist sites in Uttar Pradesh, including Sarnath, Kushinagar, Shravasti, and Kaushambi, where a new Vipassana centre is nearing completion. He emphasized Buddha’s teachings on renouncing desires, controlling anger, and expanding knowledge, urging the audience to follow these principles. Maurya stated that the government is committed to meeting the aspirations of the people and that if peace, development, and employment are desired, there is no better path than taking refuge in Buddha."
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak also addressed the gathering, highlighting the relevance of Buddha’s message of humanity, compassion, and love, conveyed through the Pali language. He noted that while time has changed, Buddha's message continues to benefit people around the world. Pathak emphasized that Pali is a part of India’s cultural heritage, and the government is committed to promoting it on a global scale. The Uttar Pradesh government is hosting this large-scale conference to further the reach of Pali literature.
In his video message, Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh congratulated the organizers on the successful event and praised the government’s efforts in honouring the global Buddhist community. Dr. Thich Nhat Tu, Vice-Chancellor of Buddhist University in Vietnam, also spoke, recognizing Pali as one of India's most significant classical languages, particularly for its role in preserving and transmitting Theravada Buddhist teachings. Principal Secretary of Tourism and Culture Mukesh Kumar Meshram added that Uttar Pradesh is the first state to organize such a conference, with the insights gained to be shared with universities for further study. The conference also saw participation from key figures such as Hargovind Bauddh, Phra Bhante Dr. Charan Suthi from Thailand, and Bhante Rahul Bodhi, along with hundreds of attendees from across the world.