Itanagar, Oct 31 Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday announced the formation of the Arunachal Buddhist Confederation to bring together and strengthen the state’s diverse Buddhist traditions.
The announcement came as he inaugurated the exposition of the sacred relics of Lord Shakyamuni Buddha at Tawang Monastery, marking their return to the state after 13 years.
The proposed confederation will provide a common platform for Buddhist communities following Mahayana and Theravada traditions and seek affiliation with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), Khandu said.
The chief minister said the decision to establish the organisation was taken after consultations with senior leaders and representatives of both Buddhist traditions, including Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and Namsai MLA Jignu Namchoom.
Venerable Agadhamma, chief monk of Namsai Pariyatti Sasana Buddhist Vihara, has been selected as the first president of the confederation, while Thupten Kalden, director of the Department of Karmik and Adhyatmik Affairs (DoKAA), will serve as its secretary general.
Highlighting Arunachal Pradesh’s distinctive Buddhist landscape, Khandu said Mahayana Buddhist communities were present in Tawang, West Kameng, Mechuka, Tuting, the Taksing area and Anjaw, while Theravada Buddhist communities were concentrated in Namsai and Changlang.
The confederation would help strengthen the state’s diverse Buddhist religious practices and traditions by bringing different communities and institutions onto a common platform, he said.
Khandu made the announcement while attending the inaugural ceremony of the Sacred Exposition of the Holy Relics of Lord Shakyamuni Buddha at Gaden Namgyal Lhatse Monastery, popularly known as Tawang Monastery.
The exposition marks the return of the sacred relics to Arunachal Pradesh after 13 years and will travel across three districts until November 21.
The relics will be displayed in Tawang district from October 31 to November 7, West Kameng from November 8 to 14, and Namsai from November 14 to 21, providing devotees across the state an opportunity to pay their respects and seek blessings.
Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for approving the exposition, the chief minister also thanked Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the Ministry of Culture and the National Museum for their cooperation in organising the event.
He said the exposition, along with the recently concluded International Tourism Mart in Arunachal Pradesh, reflected the Centre’s support for promoting the state’s cultural heritage and tourism potential.
Emphasising the relevance of Lord Buddha’s teachings amid global tensions and uncertainty, Khandu urged people to draw inspiration from the principles of wisdom, compassion and coexistence to address challenges facing individuals and society.
He said followers of Buddhism had a responsibility to practise these teachings in their daily lives and promote peace and harmony among communities.
The chief minister also conveyed his gratitude to the 14th Dalai Lama for his greetings and blessings on the occasion.
His message was shared with the gathering by Venerable Shartse Khensur Jangchup Choeden Rinpoche, secretary general of the International Buddhist Confederation.
Khandu also read out a message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who described the exposition as an occasion of immense spiritual and cultural significance.
Modi said Lord Buddha’s teachings had guided humanity towards peace and compassion for over two millennia and continued to strengthen India’s cultural and spiritual ties with the world.
The prime minister highlighted the Centre’s efforts to preserve Buddhist heritage, including the development of important sites such as Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar, and referred to the return of the Piprahwa relics to India and the recognition of Pali as a classical language as significant steps in preserving Buddhism’s legacy.
Describing Arunachal Pradesh as an important part of India’s Buddhist heritage, Modi highlighted Tawang Monastery’s significance as a centre of faith and learning.
He said the exposition at Tawang, Bomdila and Namsai would allow devotees to connect more closely with Buddhist traditions and expressed confidence that the event and the accompanying international conference would deepen appreciation of India’s Buddhist heritage.
Khandu also welcomed the prime minister’s announcement in the Union Budget regarding the development of Buddhist sites in the Northeast. He said the Union Tourism Ministry was working on a policy framework for the initiative following discussions with the Union tourism minister.
Expressing confidence in the proposed policy, the chief minister said it would benefit Buddhist heritage sites across Arunachal Pradesh and contribute to their preservation and development.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Shekhawat, Lok Sabha MP Tapir Gao, legislators, Chief Secretary Manish Gupta, representatives of the Ministry of Culture, the National Museum and the International Buddhist Confederation, among others.
(PTI News)
