Bhubaneswar, Apr 5: With the beginning of the International Buddhist Conclave from Apr 10, the famous archaeological sites in Lalitgiri-Udaygiri-Ratnagiri in Jajpur in Odisha is to be crowded with intellectual discussions. Dr Sunil Patnaik, secretary, Odisha Institute of Maritime and South East Asian Studies (OIMSEAS). stated to the media that hundreds of Buddhist scholars and researchers are to attend the global meet. Eminent Buddhist scholars from many Buddhist countries including Myanmar, Japan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Bhutan are to attend the conclave. This meet is being organized with an aim to provide the required international exposure to Buddhist sites spread across Odisha and attract more and more tourists and researchers. The event organizers are the Odisha Tourism Department.
The delegates will be visiting the the famous Buddhist sites of Udayagiri, Ratnagiri, Lalitagiri, Langudi, Kaima and other places of Jajpur during the conclave. The famous Buddhist sites at Laliitagiri, Ratnagiri and Udayagiri known as ‘Diamond Triangle’ are significant of the ancient flourished Buddhist religion in the region. Visited by the Chinese traveller, Hiuen Tsang, the centers of learning were at par with their famed counterparts of Nalanda and Taxila. He further pointed out that the main objective of the conclave is to promote the ancient Buddhist heritage, its art and philosophy in Odisha. Also other programmes such as seminars, films, cultural programmes, photo exhibition will also be organized. The Buddhist philosophy and aesthetic will be presented via mediums such as dance, films, photo exhibition, selected art works, discourses, discussions and debates to highlight the myriad forms of practice of Buddhism around the world. Interaction between the participants and audience with the scholars and researches would also enhance understanding of the art and philosophy in Buddhism which may lead to appreciating the same. Regarding the same, recently a preparatory meeting was organized at Udayagiri here. Jajpur Collector, director, Tourism, Barachana MLA, Amar Prasad Satapathy were among the people who attended the meet.
