The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) joins hands with Gautam Buddha University (GBU) to celebrate International Abhidhamma Divas Day, popularly known as Abhidhamma Day. This auspicious event is expected to take place on the full moon day of Śharada Pūrṇimā, which this year falls on October 28 of the lunar calendar, at the GBU campus in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. This international conference is titled “The Principles of the Buddha Dhamma and Overall Well-Being: Nature, Meaning and Applicability” and will be held from October 28 to 30.
This year's celebration assumes special significance as it coincides with the centenary year of Dr. Satya Narayan Goenka, popularly known as 'Vipassanā Ācārya' who introduced mindfulness meditation to the West. The conference and celebrations promise to be a platform for “in-depth discussions, reflections and exploration of Buddhist teachings for the improvement of global well-being.” (IBC)
Founded on November 2, 2012, the work of the IBC falls under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India and is a soft diplomacy body focused on the promotion of Buddhism. Headquartered in New Delhi, its aim is to serve as a common platform for Buddhists around the world. Founded in 2008, GBU is a general science and technology research institution. (Gautam Buddha University)
Mainly celebrated in Theravada countries, Abhidhamma Divas marks the descent of the Buddha from the celestial kingdom of Trāyastriṃśa after transmitting to his mother Maya the Abhidhamma. Shri Abhijit Halder, Managing Director, IBC, said that the International Abhidhamma Divas is the third flagship program of the organization this year. He: " . . . commemorates the day when the Buddha descended from the celestial domain of the thirty-three divine beings at Sankassiya, presently known as Sankisa Basantapur in the Farrukhabad district of Uttar Pradesh. The importance of this event is documented by the Aśokan elephant pillar, signifying its importance. The Buddha is believed to have taught Abhidhamma to the Devas and his mother before his descent, making it a pivotal moment in the history of Buddhism. (IBC)
Additionally, this year's celebration coincides with the end of the Rainy Retreat (vassa) and its final festival Pavāraņā, adding to its spiritual significance. Goenka's centenary year is another remarkable aspect of the Abhidhamma Divas of 2023. “Dr. Goenka, a leading authority in the world of meditation and mindfulness, played a crucial role in spreading Vipassanā meditation in the whole world. His teachings, imbued with simplicity and universality, have impacted countless lives, making meditation accessible to diverse communities. The centenary celebration of Dr Goenka pays tribute to his enduring legacy, highlighting his contributions to the welfare of humanity,” said Professor Ravindra Panth, Director, IBC. (IBC)
Prof. Ravindra Kumar Sinha, Vice-Chancellor of GBU, said that the objectives of the conference are: “. . . explore the profound teachings of Buddha in the context of peace, prosperity, compassion, tolerance, non-violence, spirituality and harmony. It seeks to attract scholars, scholars and practitioners to discuss the role of Buddhist principles in solving contemporary global problems. (IBC)
“The main themes and sub-themes of the conference cover a wide range of topics, from Abhidhamma philosophy to Vipassanā meditation, mental health, gender discrimination, global warming and the impact of Buddhism on various aspects of life,” said Dr. Arvind Kumar Singh. , director of the GBU conference. (IBC) Invitations to submit abstracts have been sent to scholars, researchers, and practitioners in the field of Buddhist studies and related fields. The deadline for abstract submission was October 15 and full articles are due October 25.
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