The Department of Political Science, Maharaja Bir Bikram University, Agartala, Tripura successfully organized a two-day International Seminar on “Buddhism and Sanatana Dharma’s Influence in Southeast Asia” on April 28-29 in collaboration with Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR) and Central Sanskrit University.
The inaugural session of the seminar was held on April 28 in the Conference Hall, Academic Block, Maharaja Bir Bikram University.
Santana Chakma, Minister of Industries & Commerce, Jail (Home) and Welfare of OBC graced the inaugural session of the seminar as the Chief Guest. She said, India is the land of Sanatana Dharma and Buddhism. These dharmas are India’s ancient religions. From India, Buddhism and Sanatana Dharma reached many parts of the world, including the countries of Southeast Asia. These two religions have great influence in shaping the states and societies in the early South East Asia region. The Government of India is eying for revival and renewal of this cultural connection and makes the Northeast India as Gate way to South East Asia.
The other dignitaries who addressed the inaugural session of the seminar were Prof. Baidyanath Labh, Vice Chancellor of Navanalanda Mahavihara, Prof. Ganga Prasad Prasain, Vice Chancellor of Tripura University, Prof. Sachchidanand Mishra, Member Secretary, ICPR, New Delhi, Prof. Vijoy Kumar Karn from Navalanda Mahavihara, Dr. Sumanta Chakrabarti, Registrar, Maharaja Bir Bikram University and Dr. Deepak Sharma, Registrar, Tripura University. Prof. Baidyanath Labh delivered the Keynote speech on the theme of the seminar. During his keynote address, Prof. Labh emphasised on the teachings of Buddha and Sanatana way of life in the modern times when the world is marked by uncertainties.
He also highlighted how the teachings of Buddha and the Sanatana Dharma influenced the socio-cultural life in the societies of Southeast Asia. Prof. Ganga Prasad Prasain, the Vice Chancellor of Tripura remained present as distinguished Guest and delivered a speech on the theme of the seminar with special emphasis on reconnecting ourselves with societies through right mindfulness and mind purification where lies the relevance of Sanatana Dharma and Buddhism. Dr. Sumanta Chakrabarti, Registrar of Maharaja Bir Bikram University delivered the welcome address by formally welcoming all the dignitaries and resource persons.
During his speech, Dr. Chakrabarti focused on geographical, cultural, historical and archaeological links and the socio-cultural similarities between India and Southeast Asia and how India, more particularly Northeast India and the Southeast countries could be benefitted
through revival and renewal of this cultural linkage.
Prof. Satyadeo Poddar, Vice Chancellor of Maharaja Bir Bikram University delivered the Presidential address.
Ven. Dr. Dhammapiya, Secretary General of International Buddhist Confederation graced the valedictory session as Special Guest. The Valedictory address was presented by Dr. Ravindra Shukla, former Minister of Uttar Pradesh and President of Antarrashtriya Hindi Sahitya Bharati, Jhansi.
On day-2, there had been an hour session for Vipasana meditation under the guidance of Krita Ranjan Chakma, former Additional Director of Information and Cultural Affairs Department, Government of Tripura and a Vipasana teacher. Foreign participants who took part in the seminar with paper presentation were Prof. Jinabodhi Bhikkhu from Chittagong University, Prof. Siddhrtha Sankar Joarder, Jagannth University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Dr. Henry Lucy Guest from United Kingdom, Dr. Rajendra Kumar Dabe from Mauritius. Besides these dignitaries and resource persons, fourty more resource persons and paper presenters presented their researched papers during different technical sessions of the two-day international seminar. The students of the University also presented a colourful cultural program in the evening on the first day of the seminar.
Pic taken from open source. Internet
