Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate a two-day conference on ‘Global Hindu-Buddhist Initiative on Conflict Avoidance and Environment Consciousness’ here on Thursday. It will be attended by renowned Buddhist and Hindu Scholars besides Sri lanka’s former President Chandrika Kumaratunga, senior Ministers from Japan, Myanmar, Bhutan and Nepal among others.
The event has been jointly organised by Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation and Tokyo Foundation and aims to deliberate upon issues such as rising conflict and rampant environment degradation across the countries.
According to Gen NC Vij, Director of VIF, “The current approach towards conflict resolution is largely based on western and simplified perspectives of conflict between faiths and civilisations. It is in this context that the world is increasingly noticing the benign nature of Buddhism vis-à-vis western ethics.
“It is important therefore to recognise the importance of historical Asian traditions and values to make them more relevant for the future of world peace and harmony, especially the culture of understanding and acceptance of the alternative view beyond that of mercy and tolerance.”
On Saturday, nearly 100-odd delegates are scheduled to travel Bodh Gaya for a visit to one of the most revered Buddhist pilgrimage centres. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to join the delegates for over an hour in Bodh Gaya, the statement from the organisation said.