India’s Renewed Global Buddhist Leadership
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Shekhawat underlined that since Prime Minister Modi took office, India has actively provided an international platform for Buddhist dialogue. He said the government has worked consistently to reconnect the world with the land where the Buddha lived, taught, and attained enlightenment.
According to the minister, this renewed engagement is not symbolic but rooted in India’s civilisational ethos. Buddhism, he noted, offers practical guidance for today’s fractured world by promoting compassion, restraint, and mutual respect.
Preserving Ancient Knowledge Through Gyan Bharatam
Highlighting a key cultural initiative, Shekhawat spoke about the ambitious ‘Gyan Bharatam’ programme, describing it as one of the world’s largest efforts to digitise ancient manuscripts. The initiative aims to preserve fragile texts while making India’s vast spiritual and philosophical heritage accessible to scholars and seekers worldwide.
He said the digitisation drive reflects India’s responsibility not only to safeguard its past but also to share timeless knowledge with humanity at large.
Honouring the Buddha’s Living Legacy
The Culture Minister also urged delegates and citizens to visit the international exhibition “The Light & The Lotus: Relics of The Awakened One” at the Rai Pithora Cultural Centre in New Delhi. He described the display as a rare spiritual opportunity to pay reverence to Bhagwan Buddha.
Recalling the historic return of the Piprahwa Relics to India after 127 years, Shekhawat called them living symbols of India’s ancient civilisation and its enduring spiritual influence on the world.
Global Participation and Shared Wisdom
The Second Global Buddhist Summit was organised by the International Buddhist Confederation in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Nearly 200 international delegates, including leaders of major Buddhist organisations, eminent monks, scholars, and practitioners, participated in the two-day conference.
The summit was held on the theme “Collective Wisdom, United Voice, and Mutual Coexistence,” focusing on how Buddhist philosophy can offer solutions to global issues such as conflict, environmental degradation, and social division.
Buddha Dharma for All Humanity
Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju also addressed the gathering, stressing that Buddha Dharma transcends religious identity. He said the teachings of the Buddha belong to all humanity and offer a universal path grounded in compassion, non-violence, and harmony.
Rijiju noted that as global interest in the Dhamma grows, India carries a unique responsibility to preserve its spiritual heritage and embody its principles in practice.
India as the Land of the Buddha
The summit concluded with a renewed affirmation of India’s role as the land of the Buddha and a global torchbearer of peaceful coexistence. Participants acknowledged India’s efforts to position Buddhist wisdom as a guiding force for a turbulent world.
With sustained cultural diplomacy, spiritual outreach, and global engagement, India continues to strengthen its identity as a moral and spiritual anchor in international affairs.
