Indo – Sri Lanka Buddhist Network
Posted on June 3rd, 2012
by Senaka Weeraratna
A group of pro-active Indian and Sri Lankan Buddhists drawn from leading Buddhist organizations had a series of discussions on the sidelines of the World Buddhist Assembly gathering in Bangkok, Thailand (May 21 ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” 25, 2012) and decided to establish an ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”Indo ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Sri Lanka Buddhist NetworkƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ to pursue a number of preliminary aims and objectives that are beneficial to the cause of consolidating and spreading Buddhism in both countries and other parts of the world.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It is anticipated that a more substantial organization would emerge with the passage of time from these interactions.
The preliminary aims and objectives of this Buddhist Network are as follows:
I ) To develop and strengthen warm and friendly ties between Buddhists in India and Sri Lanka,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
ii) To collaborate in Projects leading to promotion of peace and non ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” violence, friendly relations and understanding between peoples of India and Sri Lanka within a framework of Buddhist principles and shared past in a common Buddhist civilization that influenced both countries, and
iii) To work together in propagating and spreading Buddhism worldwide.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
The first of many Projects that are intended to be launched both in India and Sri Lanka would be the convening of an International Conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka before the end of 2012 on the topic:
- ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”The contribution of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar to the revival and renaissance of Buddhism in the 20th Century ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢
Some of the other intended Projects include –
- The launch of an international public campaign calling on the Government of Sri Lanka and other Governments in Buddhist Asia to issue commemorative postage stamps in honour of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as a token of appreciation of his immense contributions to the revival of Buddhism in IndiaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
- The preparation of a public memorandum calling on the promoters of the Nalanda University Project to include Buddhists from India and Sri Lanka in the decision making process of this Project
- The formation of an Indo ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Sri Lanka Buddhist Media network engaged in capacity building and exchanges
June 3rd, 2012 at 3:27 pm
Sri Lanka’s singular failure to reach up to the ordinary people, well wishers and politicians outside the Racist Tamil fringe is mind boggling and incomprehensible. We have so much in common that can contribute towards the well being of both countries that it is strange that we have not established diplomatic contacts with most of the other states other than Tamil Nadu.
The efforts mentioned above should be commended as a start-up to this much delayed enterprise. Buddhism and Hinduism are our common bond and bridge to understanding of each other’s needs, fears and common security of our cultural heritage. Once these are understood the politics can follow for we should not end up being slaves to hypocritical Western Christian values.
June 3rd, 2012 at 4:53 pm
“calling on the Government of Sri Lanka and other Governments in Buddhist Asia to issue commemorative postage stamps in honour of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar”
SL should do this.
What about India? He was an Indian afterall.
June 4th, 2012 at 5:49 am
The Buddhist civilisational links between India and Sri Lanka must be restored and enhanced. Sri Lanka has an unique and continuing Buddhist civilization for over 2300 years when Arahant Mahinda with the blessings of his father Emperor Asoka delivered the gift of the Dhamma to Sri Lanka on a Poson Poya Day.
Invading foreign armies and local religious movements in India pushed Buddhism out of India. It remained so for several centuries.
Buddhism is now making a comeback in a big way in India. Thanks to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and the Dalit Buddhists.
Buddhism is now the fastest growing religion in several parts of India and it is estimated that there is now an estimated 70 million Buddhists in India and increasing.
As a token of gratitude to India for its gift of the Buddha Dhamma, Sri Lanka as a leading Buddhist country in conjunction with other key Buddhist nations must extend an helping hand and give due recognition to the growing Buddhist movement In India.