Sanchi's Buddhist varsity to get international identity

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BHOPAL, India -- Culture minister Laxmikant Sharma has said that efforts will be made to given an international-level identity to Buddhist and Indic Studies University to be established at Sanchi.

He said that Sanchi is a special place for Buddhists living all over the world. Madhya Pradesh government will extend every possible cooperation to scholars who will undertake research on Buddhism and other religions.

Sharma was addressing inaugural function of three-day Mahabodhi Mahotsav at Sanchi in Raisen district on Friday. Minister of state for farmer wealfare Brijendra Pratap Singh was also present on the occasion.

Sharma said that chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's initiative to establish Buddhist and Indic Studies University at Sanchi displays his commitment to peace during a period when religious and other discords are emerging in the world.

Mahabodhi Society, Sri Lanka's chairman Chetyagiri threw light on the event. Chetyagiri said that much cooperation has been extended by leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj, state chief minister and state culture minister in organizing the Mahotsav.

Followers of Buddhism from India and 11 countries are participating in the three-day Mahabodhi Mahotsav, which is held in November every year. Artistes from the country and abroad will also present cultural programmes during the three-day event.

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Sanchi Buddhist varsity gets Cabinet approval

The ordinance on Sanchi university includes six major provisions, including teaching of Dharma/ Dhamma in the context of varied knowledge traditions and contemporary context without negating the views and practices prevailing in other countries.

The ordinance provides for maximum interaction among Asian countries with forceful historic similarities in religion, philosophy and folk culture. There are also provisions for understanding mutual viewpoints on Asian cultures and civilizations and promoting world peace and harmony by understanding each other?s roles.

The ordinance also provides for ensuring participation of scholars and willing persons of Asia and the world for fulfilling the university?s objectives, contribution to reforms in Indian and Asian countries? educational systems, making efforts for evolving a new viewpoint on alternative educational system, imparting teaching and training in various Asian arts, sculpture and skills.

Buddhist University will have five major departments on Buddhist philosophy, Sanatan Dharm and Indian Science Studies, international Buddhism studies, comparison of religions and department of linguistics, literature and arts.

Notably, the State government is scheduled to convene International Dharma-Dhamma Sammelan to at Bhopal on September 22 and 23. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and scholars and philosophers from about 22 countries, including Britain, Netherlands, Vietnam, China, Israel, Indonesia, Japan, etc will participate in the religious congregation.

This function is being organised jointly by Madhya Pradesh Culture department, Centre for the Study of Religion and Society (CSRS), New Delhi and Mahabodhi Society, Sri Lanka.

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