Guests from Sri Lanka and Nepal Arrive in Ulan-Ude

On Sunday, August 11, participants of the II International Buddhist Forum from the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal were welcomed in Buryatia.

The Sri Lankan delegation consists of nine members, including the Minister Plenipotentiary with the rank of Ambassador, Pakir Amza, and 71-year-old Professor Ratanasara Maha Thero Pallekande, who oversees dozens of monasteries in Sri Lanka and is regarded as one of the most enlightened Buddhists on the island.

The Nepalese delegation includes Manik Ratna Shakya, Dean of Lumbini Buddhist University; Subarna Lal Bajracharya, Vice-Chancellor of Lumbini Buddhist University; and Kumar Khadka, Coordinator of Lumbini Buddhist University. Lumbini is the birthplace of the Buddha, where he was born in 623 BC.

Guests from Sri Lanka and Nepal are looking forward to the start of the forum, where they plan to discuss issues related to Buddhism and ecology, traditional values, international pilgrimage, and tourism.

The II International Buddhist Forum “Traditional Buddhism and Modern Challenges” will be held in Buryatia from August 12 to 14, 2024, on the initiative of the Head of Buryatia, Alexey Tsydenov, with the support of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The forum aims to create a new platform for international dialogue and comprehensive discussions on the development of Buddhism, Buddhist culture, philosophy, and practice, while promoting scientific, educational, and cultural cooperation among Buddhist organizations from different countries. The forum will be attended by representatives from 15 countries: Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil, Bhutan, Vietnam, India, Cambodia, China, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Japan.

The forum is organized by the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia, the Government of the Republic of Buryatia, and the Foundation for the Promotion of Buddhist Education and Research, with support from the Roscongress Foundation.