City launchpad for Buddhist heritage revival

Express News Service, July 18, 2005

Kolkata, India -- As part of the ministry of culture?s drive to create awareness among people and simultaneously preserve the cultural heritage of India, the ?National Seminar on Buddhist Literary Heritage in India: Text and Context? kicked off today at the Asiatic Society museum.

The two-day programme is organised by the National Mission for Manuscripts, Government of India, and is coordinated by the Calcutta University Manuscript Resource Centre (CUMRC). ?The aim of this seminar is to transmit the nation?s culture from one generation to another.

Buddhist literary texts are a major part of this culture, and a discussion on their subject matter and condition will go a long way in bringing people closer to their heritage. We have to repeatedly evaluate and re-evaluate the intellectual treasures acquired by our predecessors through great perseverance,? said Dr Ratna Basu, coordinator, CUMRC.

The seminar is funded by the ministry of culture, and is the first of a series of lectures and seminars planned by it throughout the country. ?We are extremely proud of the fact that Kolkata was chosen as the place from which to kick-start this national programme,? said Basu.

Twenty eminent scholars of Buddhist literature and culture, from India and abroad, will deliver lectures during the two days of the seminar. Some of the topics dealt with will be ?The cultural impact of Buddhist heritage in India?, ?Buddhist canonical literature and its branches? and ?Buddhist literature through lesser known texts?.

Those involved in the seminar hope to contextualise Buddhist literature. ?The Buddhist literary texts open up a window into a living culture. They are imbued with a perennial philosophy that is relevant throughout the ages,? said Anurag Chowdhury of the Vipasana Research Centre, Igatpuri.

The Buddhist Channel - Donate to Support Our Work



An Appeal

In deep gratitude for your support! We are half way to meeting our target (US$ 10,400 of US$ 18,000 already achieved)!

The Buddhist Channel is a dedicated group of "mindful communication practitioners" striving to make a positive impact on the Buddhist community. We deeply believe in the power of mindful journalism and are reaching out to you with a heartfelt request for your support. Your donation, no matter the size, can make a tangible difference in the lives of countless Buddhist monastics, local communities and other dedicated engaged workers. With your help, we make their stories known, and thereby opening up avenues for them to obtain sustainable support for their work.

Please indicate whether your support will be a donation or a loan. We will get back to you via email. We thank you in advance for providing us financial relieve. May the Buddha Dharma ever be your guide and protector.

Note: To date, we have received the following:

US$ 900 from Esa Myllykoski (donation)
US$ 9,500 from Lance Edwards/Kau Soo Kin (loan)

We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.

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

TOP