India's Ministry of Minority Affairs has approved a project by the University of Delhi to establish a center for advanced study of Buddhism. The proposed center aims to strengthen the capacity of the Indian higher education system to understand and preserve Buddhist culture and history. The cost of the center was estimated at 350 million rupees ($4,2 million).
According to a statement from India's Ministry of Minority Affairs, "the university will collaborate with subject matter expertise and develop guidelines and course materials for all compulsory courses, including certificate courses, courses leading to degree and doctoral programs in Buddhist studies, tailored to meet requirements. needs and interests of minority students. (India.com)
The time of India The newspaper reported that Indian students had increasingly found a home at higher education institutions in the United States, including Columbia University and Duke University. The Delhi program will aim to promote academic collaboration, research, language preservation, translation of ancient texts and skills development of the country's Buddhist population.
The move came in response to growing demand for Buddhist studies courses in the country, according to a university official cited by The time of India. Delhi University is also planning to introduce a curriculum focused on the science of happiness in five of its women's colleges.
“Happiness is the most important thing in life,” said Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh. “Understanding the idea and necessity of Science of Happiness, DU has decided to include the course on Science of Happiness in the curriculum of ongoing programs in its departments and colleges. » (News 18)
The move is part of a larger plan by the Indian government to promote Buddhism across the country. The government is planning additional programmes, particularly in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and the Union Territory of Ladakh, with the aim of secularization and normalization education to ensure that people can receive a modern education, preparing them to adapt to the demands of the future economy.
India is a predominantly Hindu country, with approximately 79,8 percent of the population adhering to Hinduism, according to 2011 census data.* Islam is the second largest religion in India, accounting for 14,2 percent. hundred of the population. Christianity is the third largest religion, making up about 2,3 percent of the country's population. Sikhism comes fourth, with 1,7 percent. Buddhism is India's fifth largest religion, accounting for just 0,7 percent of the population. The state of Maharashtra has the largest number of Buddhists, largely due to the conversion efforts of Dr BR Ambedkar and his followers. Other areas with high concentrations of Buddhists include the Union Territory of Ladakh and the state of Sikkim, both inhabited by many Tibetan Buddhists, as well as the Chakma Autonomous Region, on the border with Myanmar, where more than 90% of the population practices Theravada Buddhism.
*A census planned for 2021 was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was rescheduled for 2022 but further delayed, then for 2023. In 2023, the administrative borders were frozen but the census did not take place. It is currently planned for the end of 2024.
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