Buryat State University Signs Cooperation Agreements with Universities in Sri Lanka and Nepal

On Tuesday, August 13, as part of the II International Buddhist Forum "Traditional Buddhism and Modern Challenges," Buryat State University named after Dorzhi Banzarov (Russia) signed cooperation agreements with the Gamapaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine (Sri Lanka) and the Lumbini Buddhist University (Nepal).

“We are establishing cooperation not only in Buddhist education but also in joint scientific research, student and faculty exchanges in the fields of medicine and Buddhist philosophy. Both Wickramarachchi University and Lumbini University have significant potential in these areas of knowledge. It is a great honor for us to sign such agreements,” said the rector of Buryat State University, Aldar Damdinov. “We very much hope that in the near future our universities will develop strong and friendly relations, allowing us to exchange faculty and students. Additionally, we have agreed on joint scientific research in traditional medicine and Buddhist philosophy.”

Subarna Lal Bajracharya, Vice-Chancellor of Lumbini Buddhist University, emphasized that Nepal has played a significant role in the development of Buddhism since Buddha was born in Nepal and attained enlightenment in India. The oldest sacred Buddhist texts are preserved in Sri Lanka.

“And today, our three countries have agreed to cooperate,” noted Mr. Subarna Lal Bajracharya, highlighting the symbolic nature of the signing.

Asanka Pallawatta, Director of the International Center at Gamapaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine, mentioned that this is his first visit to Ulan-Ude and expressed his gratitude to the organizers for the opportunity to attend the II International Buddhist Forum.

“In this collaboration with universities in Buryatia and Nepal, I, as a scholar, see deep and broad aspects in the direction of joint research. Through these studies, we can link Buddhism with various fields such as medicine, agriculture, philosophy, economics, politics, art, and music,” he said. “When new collaborations arise, and new research is conducted with students and scholars, we draw new conclusions, thereby creating new knowledge.”

The II International Buddhist Forum “Traditional Buddhism and Modern Challenges” is being held in Buryatia from August 12-14, 2024, at the initiative of the Head of Buryatia Alexey Tsydenov, with the support of President Vladimir Putin. The forum will provide a new platform for international dialogue and comprehensive discussion on the development of Buddhism, Buddhist culture, philosophy, and practice, promoting scientific, educational, and cultural cooperation between Buddhist organizations from different countries. The forum will feature representatives from 15 countries: Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil, Bhutan, Vietnam, India, Cambodia, China, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Japan. The total number of participants will exceed 600 people.

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