Senaka Weeraratna

India with the support of Buddhist Asia can become a World Superpower. Not necessarily militarily but economically, morally, and spiritually.

Buddhism which has heavily influenced the moral and ethical foundations of a wide range of countries in South Asia, South East Asia, and the Far East in the past two millennia, can again revert to center stage and reclaim its lost ground as the Light of Asia – which is also the name of an epic poem authored by Sir Edwin Arnold  that gives a narrative of the life and message of the Buddha.

Buddhism has a glorious past relating to Peace, Non – Violence, and Civilizational Values. In the whole history of 2, 600 years of Buddhism not a single country has been invaded or conquered using the Sword or Gun to spread Buddhism or Jainism. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a trailblazer carrying the mantle of his idol – the Great Indian Emperor Ashoka whom the British Historian H.G. Wells praised as ‘ the greatest of Kings ……….far in advance of his time’.

Ashoka’s Dharma Chakra of nonviolence is blazoned on India’s flag, reminding the world especially those currently living in embattled parts of Europe, of the noble doctrine enshrined in Ashoka’s edict that the greatest progress of Righteousness among men comes from abstention from killing living beings”.

H.G. Wells further says in his ‘ The Outline of History ‘ :

Amidst the tens of thousands of names of monarchs that crowd the columns of history, their majesties and graciousnesses and serenities and royal highnesses and the like, the name of Ashoka shines, and shines, almost alone, a star.” 

Ashoka was a Conqueror of rival kingdoms but upon embracing Buddhism, the doctrine of Ahimsa, and non-violence at the height  of his glory, he renounced violence  declaring, Instead of the sound of the war drum, the sound of Dharma will be heard.”

For the first time in post-colonial history, a powerful Asian country i.e., India, has come forward to give leadership to the cause of Buddhism at a worldwide level and also at levels where politics intersect with religion (and beyond mere fellowship and ritual) by sponsoring ‘ A Global Buddhist Summit ‘ in New Delhi and had lined up some of the world’s most powerful countries with a Buddhist threshold ( or significant Buddhist minorities)  behind it namely, China, Japan, Vietnam, Korea, Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Tibet, Taiwan, Nepal, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bhutan, Bangladesh, etc. among others, to attend the Global Summit. 

The greatest attraction of this Buddhist Summit in a time of War (in East Europe) is the opportunity it gives to explore the idea that Buddhism offers an alternate worldview of peace, enlightenment, and universal brother- and sisterhood.

In this context, the World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB) which was founded by Professor Dr. G.P. Malalasekera in Colombo, Ceylon, in 1950, must be mentioned. Its 73rd anniversary will be celebrated in Bangkok, Thailand in May 2023. Its Headquarters is located in Bangkok. It is fully supported by the Royal Thai Government. Its current President is Mr. Phallop Thaiarry.  WFB has steadily strengthened fellowship ties between various Buddhist schools of thought namely Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana, through well-coordinated social development projects over the years and the holding of regular WFB General Conferences.  

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, one of India’s greatest Think Tanks of the last century, prolific writer on Buddhism and popularly accredited as the ‘ Father of India’s Constitution’ , had wanted to see Buddhist activism on an energetic scale influencing global level decision making.

He advocated Buddhist communities to  gather regularly for purposes other than strengthening ties of friendship and fellowship.

A well-funded and well-equipped new Global Buddhist Think Tank is urgently needed to conduct research and create Buddhist public opinion worldwide.

Senaka Weeraratna