ICCR's Buddha Bhoomi Vandan Yatra unites 23 young Buddhist Scholars from 13 countries

The 'Buddha Bhoomi Vandan Yatra' is a cultural and educational programme organized by ICCR that aims to provide young scholars a deeper understanding of India's Buddhist heritage. It enables participants to visit key Buddhist sites, engage with experts, and learn about the rich history and culture of Buddhism in India.

"Cambodian Buddha Sangha faces tough hurdles and difficulties to spread the Buddha teachings because we lost all the scholars during the conflict", said a participant from Cambodia at the Yatra. That is he said the Buddhist community and organisations in Cambodia are looking towards India for "reviving" the teachings in Pali and Sanskrit language.  

The participant made the observations at the media interaction programme. "In Cambodia we have three doctorate in Pali from Sri Lanka and one in Sanskrit. Now we want to enhance/improve the studies in these two subjects. I come to India with two dreams...After my graduation, I wanted to visit India and ICCR has made my dream come true".  

He further stated: "....And my second dream I want to find new hopes to revive the Pali and Sanskrit studies in Cambodia with the help from India". 

Delegates from Malaysia and Bhutan 

One delegate from Malaysia said, "Because Malaysia is a Muslim majority country; we face challenges doiing Buddhism propagation in the sense that we have to try hard to preserve our own Buddhism heritage". 

From 25 October 2023 to 3 November 2023, 23 young Buddhist scholars from 13 different countries, including Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Japan, Bhutan, South Korea, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam have been travelling across India as a part of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations' (ICCR) 'Buddha Bhoomi Vandan Yatra.' 

This educational and cultural visit aimed to promote cross-cultural understanding and facilitate the

exploration of India's rich Buddhist heritage.

On October 26, 2023, the young scholars explored Bodh Gaya's Monasteries and

Archaeological Museum. The next day, in Nalanda, they visited Nalanda Monuments and the

Nalanda University, established in 2010. Furthermore, on 28 October, they departed for

Varanasi and 29 October brought visits to Sarnath's Central Institute of Higher Tibetan

Studies (CIHTS), Chaukhambi Stupa, Sarnath Museum, Mulgandh Kuti, and Dhamek Stupa.

Additionally, on 30th October, Dr. Animesh Prakash, Assistant Professor, CIHTS, had an

interactive session on the 'Buddhist & Indian Knowledge System.' They also visited Kashi

Vishwanath Dham, and witnessed the maha Ganga Aarti.

On 31st October in Delhi, delegates at the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) at

Vigyan Bhawan attended an insightful presentation on the Indian Knowledge system

conducted by Director, National Mission for Manuscripts, Dr. Anirban Dash. Similarly, on 31st

October, President, ICCR, Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe hosted a dinner in honour of the

delegates of the Buddha Bhoomi Vandan Yatra. DG, ICCR, Shri Kumar Tuhin was also

present during the event, along with Buddhist scholars from New Delhi.

Lastly, their visits concluded on 2 November at the Ajanta Caves, a UNESCO World

Heritage site. The final day of the 'Buddha Bhoomi Vandan Yatra,' concluded with a 'Media

Interaction', chaired by President, ICCR, Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe on 3rd November 2023 in New Delhi.