NEW DELHI - India, where the Buddha spread the Dharma beginning almost three millenia back, will now host the headquarters of a first of its kind international body that will serve as a common platform for Buddhists worldwide.It is to be called the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC). It will serve as a common ground representing all Buddhist traditions. Among other things, the body will act as a catalyst helping preserve and promote Buddhist heritage across the world. The focus will be on India and Nepal, the two most important countries associated with the history of the Buddha Gautama.
The global body comes as a result of a resolution adopted by the four-day Global Buddhist Congregation, which ended in New Delhi today in the presence of Tibet's spiritual leader the 14th Dalai Lama.The four-day congregation saw heads and representatives from Buddhist communities (sanghas), national Buddhist federations, institutions, and organizations from 46 countries gather under one roof to discuss the pressing issues faced by the world and the solutions Buddhism can offer.
It was perhaps the first time representatives from all Buddhist traditions had gathered together. The participating delegates felt the need to develop "a common platform that will project a united voice and develop a common response based on the collective wisdom of all Buddhist traditions," according to a written preamble of the resolution adopted yesterday by the congregation.
The body will also give priority to reviving, developing, and training Buddhist communities and sangha in India.
