Buddhist conclave trips China, gives India a boost

by Rajeev Deshpande, TNN Oct 8, 2013

NEW DELHI, India -- Passing almost unnoticed, a recent conclave of senior Buddhist figures in Delhi marks a remarkable step to redeem India's legacy as the font of Buddha's thought while queering China's bid to snatch the baton from India.

Delegates came from far corners of the Buddhist world to energetically air views on subjects ranging from religious freedom, development of sites and pilgrimages in India, inter-faith conflict and environment.

The International Buddhist Conference even pitched for "full" ordination of nuns in all Buddhist traditions, arguing that Buddha's teachings envisage an equal role for 'bhikkhunis' and 'upasikas' as for male 'bhikkhus' and 'upasakas'.

The IBC also formed a widely representative executive committee and its patrons include the supreme patriarch of Thailand, the prelate of Sri Lanka, the supreme head of the Mongolian order and venerable pontiffs from Vietnam, Korea and Cambodia.

The 14th Dalai Lama's role as a patron is understated, but he lends a moral force to IBC's actions given his standing in the Buddhist world, although he remains a red rag to China that refuses to see him as anything but a "splittist".

If a fusion of maroon, marigold and saffron robes, deeply lined faces and an enticing menu of agendas hinted at a knottier tale, an active imagination was not the only culprit given the serious realpolitik at play.

Failing to quell Tibetan religious and cultural identity despite decades of coercive policies, a new approach has shaped Chinese strategic thinking with Beijing looking to reposition itself as a benefactor of Buddhism.

Beijing's success in snapping up a role in the redevelopment of Lumbini in Nepal with the assistance of Communist party leader Prachanda and the staging of a conference of Buddhist leaders in China made the Indian establishment sit up and take note.

IBC's ability to rope in Buddhist masters from far and near gave India an opportunity to host a body that can effectively voice major concerns facing all traditions of the religion while keeping Chinese influence at bay, an objective Indian foreign policy makers are bound to appreciate.

Lama Lobsang, head of Asoka Mission, and one of IBC's moving spirits, says the organization is now on a firmer footing since it first met in 2011. "There is now an executive committee that will function to follow our discussions and organize events and meetings," he says.

Though he see IBC as a religious and cultural body, denial of visa to Chinese citizen Xiao Wunan, a senior functionary of a foundation that promised to mobilize big funds for the Lumbini project, is significant as Indian authorities regarded his presence as "unhelpful".

Given the breadth of its representation and success in putting relevant issues on the agenda, the conference seems a handy platform to promote India's unique position in the Buddhist world, hosting not only sites sacred to the life of Buddha, but a thriving tradition of religious learning and the Dalai Lama himself.
We Need Your Help to Train the
Buddhist AI Chat Bot
NORBU!
(Neural Operator for Responsible Buddhist Understanding)



For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:

Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB

The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118

Note: Please indicate your name in the payment slip. Thank you.


Dear Friends in the Dharma,

We seek your generous support to help us train NORBU, the word's first Buddhist AI Chat Bot.

Here are some ways you can contribute to this noble cause:

One-time Donation or Loan: A single contribution, regardless of its size, will go a long way in helping us reach our goal and make the Buddhist LLM a beacon of wisdom for all.

How will your donation / loan be used? Download the NORBU White Paper for details.



For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:

Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB

The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118

Note: Please indicate your purpose of payment (loan or donation) in the payment slip. Thank you.

Once payment is banked in, please send the payment slip via email to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv. Your donation/loan will be published and publicly acknowledged on the Buddhist Channel.

Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family and fellow Dharma enthusiasts. Join "Friends of Norbu" at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norbuchatbot. Together, we can build a stronger community and create a positive impact on a global scale.

Volunteer: If you possess expertise in AI, natural language processing, Dharma knowledge in terms of Buddhist sutras in various languages or related fields, and wish to lend your skills, please contact us. Your knowledge and passion could be invaluable to our project's success.

Your support is part of a collective effort to preserve and disseminate the profound teachings of Buddhism. By contributing to the NORBU, you become a "virtual Bodhisattva" to make Buddhist wisdom more accessible to seekers worldwide.

Thank you for helping to make NORBU a wise and compassionate Buddhist Chatbot!

May you be blessed with inner peace and wisdom,

With deepest gratitude,

Kooi F. Lim
On behalf of The Buddhist Channel Team


Note: To date, we have received the following contributions for NORBU:
US$ 75 from Gary Gach (Loan)
US$ 50 from Chong Sim Keong
MYR 300 from Wilson Tee
MYR 500 from Lim Yan Pok
MYR 50 from Oon Yeoh
MYR 200 from Ooi Poh Tin
MYR 300 from Lai Swee Pin
MYR 100 from Ong Hooi Sian
MYR 1,000 from Fam Sin Nin
MYR 500 from Oh teik Bin
MYR 300 from Yeoh Ai Guat
MYR 300 from Yong Lily
MYR 50 from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
MYR 1,000 from Chiam Swee Ann
MYR 1,000 from Lye Veei Chiew
MYR 1,000 from Por Yong Tong
MYR 80 from Lee Wai Yee
MYR 500 from Pek Chee Hen
MYR 300 from Hor Tuck Loon
MYR 1,000 from Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MYR 200 from Teo Yen Hua
MYR 500 from Ng Wee Keat
MYR 10,000 from Chang Quai Hung, Jackie (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from K. C. Lim & Agnes (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from Juin & Jooky Tan (Loan)
MYR 100 from Poh Boon Fong (on behalf of SXI Buddhist Students Society)
MYR 10,000 from Fam Shan-Shan (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from John Fam (Loan)
MYR 500 from Phang Cheng Kar
MYR 100 from Lee Suat Yee
MYR 500 from Teo Chwee Hoon (on behalf of Lai Siow Kee)
MYR 200 from Mak Yuen Chau

We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.

If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv


TOP