International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) will be hosting the First Global Buddhist Summit (GBS) on 20-21 April 2023 in New Delhi to find answers to global concerns. To focus on a Buddhist response dealing with the most pressing challenges the world is facing, the International Buddhist Confederation which is part of the Ministry of Culture will be hosting the First Global Buddhist Summit (GBS) at the Ashok Hotel.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate the first global Buddhist summit in the national capital that will see the participation of eminent Buddhist monks and scholars from various parts of the world; Union Minister for Culture G Kishan Reddy said on Monday. The prime minister will inaugurate the conference which will be the first of its kind with huge participants from 30 different countries scheduled to attend the mega event. India is the ”birthplace of Buddhism” and ”the land of the Buddha”. ”Therefore, it is our responsibility to showcase our Buddhist history and heritage to the wider world and the conference is in line with the vision of the country and the current government led by PM Modi.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy said, for the first time prominent  Buddhist monks from various countries will visit India and take part in the Summit. Representatives from other countries like Japan, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam, among others will attend the event, IBC Director-General Abhijit Halder said. The theme of the conference is ‘Responses to Contemporary Challenges from Philosophy to Praxis’. Asked if any delegates from China will attend the event, Halder said “An invitation was sent but no specific response has been received”.

Halder was also asked if Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama will attend. ”We have sent the invite but due to (his) health issues, we are still awaiting confirmation,” he added.

Halder said the conference was first envisioned in 2020 but could not take place at the time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Then it was difficult to bring together top monks from various countries at one time in one place, he added.

The organizers said eminent scholars, Sangha leaders, and dharma practitioners from all over the world will discuss the pressing global issues and look for answers in the Buddha Dharma which promotes universal values.

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