At least 130 noted Buddhist scholars from around the world will meet at a three-day 2nd International Buddhist Conference in the famous Buddhist site at Udayagiri in Jajpur district from February 1 to 3.
The State’s Culture and Tourism Department is organising the conference to attract more tourists and researchers to the Buddhist sites of the State, said Secretary of Odisha Institute of Maritime and South East Asian Studies (OIMSEAS) Dr Sunil Patnaik.
The delegates will visit the Buddhist sites of Udayagiri, Ratnagiri, lalitagiri, langudi, Kaima and other places in Jajpur district during their stay at Udayagiri.
“We have sought help of the district administration and locals for success of the conference. Many Buddhist scholars of other Indian States and countries are unaware of the rich Buddhist heritage of our State, and this conference will be useful for them to know about the historic Buddhist sites of Odisha,” said Dr Patnaik.
The Udayagiri monastery lies flanked by a U-shaped hill, almost identical to Ratnagiri. It was excavated in 1986. Udayagiri is located at a distance of 10 km from lalitagiri, on the other side of the Birupa river and forms a golden triangle of Buddhist monuments with Ratnagiri and lalitagiri. Significantly, the doorway to Udayagiri was found in a perfect state of preservation, said the official.
The other counties from where Buddhist scholars would attend the conference include China, the USA, Burma, Japan, Thailand, Sri lanka, Cambodia and Bhutan. Seminars, films cultural performances and a photo exhibition relating to Buddhist philosophy and aesthetics would also be organised on the occasion, said Dr Patnaik.
Buddhist conferences are held worldwide, but this is the second time such an international conference would take place in Odisha, added Dr Patnaik.