New Delhi, 05 January (H.S.): Coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's inauguration of the Grand International Exhibition of the Sacred Piprahwa Relics, a distinguished panel discussion on Buddhist Philosophy convened Monday at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex, underscoring India's role as the Motherland of Dhamma through repatriation as shared stewardship rather than proprietary claim.
Chaired by Prof. Siddharth Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Nava Nalanda Mahavihara (Deemed University), the symposium assembled preeminent scholars: Prof. Nalin Kumar Shastri (former Registrar, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow), Prof. Bala Ganpathi (University of Delhi Philosophy Department), Prof. Anand Singh (Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University), Prof. Rajnish Mishra (Jawaharlal Nehru University Sanskrit Department), and Prof. Ujjwal Kumar (former Head, University of Calcutta Buddhist Studies Department).
Buddha's Ethical Radiance, Not Conquest
Prof. Singh's presidential address illuminated Buddhism's global dissemination through dialogue, ethical conduct, and personal exemplarity—eschewing coercion for mind purification and dukkha alleviation, distinct from proselytisation. He positioned relics as vital conduits linking contemporary practitioners to the historical Buddha, framing Piprahwa's return—originally excavated 1898, loaned abroad, now repatriated—as collaborative guardianship emblematic of living traditions.
Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Imperatives
Prof. Shastri hailed repatriation as reviving Buddhist philosophy's salience for ethical governance, ecological stewardship, and mental equanimity, spotlighting Anattā (non-self), Brahmavihāras (divine abidings), and Pratītyasamutpāda (dependent origination) as antidotes to discord—reaffirming India's Dhamma cradle amid integrated national development.
Prof. Anand Singh portrayed relics as Dhamma's corporeal symbols, expanding sacred geography via stūpas/caityas while syncretising local motifs—Ādibuddha, mother-goddess—sans doctrinal dilution, perpetuating Buddha's living presence.
Universal Ethics Amid Fragmentation
Prof. Ganpathi attributed Buddhism's embrace to philosophical profundity and ethical universality, positioning Piprahwa relics as mnemonic anchors of Śākyamuni's peace mandate—offering moral clarity for coexistence in polarised epochs, with India as civilisational wellspring.
Prof. Mishra traced Śramaṇic-Brāhmaṇical continuities, crediting Varanasi-like hubs for philosophical cross-pollination through debate, while Prof. Kumar elucidated Sarnath's seminality for the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, distinguishing stūpa (relic repository) from cetiya (commemorative shrine)—both devotional cornerstones.
The conclave lauded Prime Minister Modi and Culture Minister's instrumental roles in relics repatriation, saluting it as cultural diplomacy manifesting India's peace commitment through shared human heritage under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
