International Dharma Dhamma conference

Why is in news? President of India inaugurates 7th International Dharma Dhamma conference in Bhopal

The President of India inaugurated the 7th International Dharma Dhamma Conference, organised by the India Foundation in collaboration with the Sanchi University of Buddhist-Indic Studies, in Bhopal on March 3, 2023.

The President said that the concept of Dharma-Dhamma has been the basic voice of Indian consciousness. In our tradition it is said, “Dharyate anen iti dharmah” - That which supports is dharma. The entire humanity rests on the foundation stone of religion. Progress of individuals and society with the spirit of friendship, compassion and non-violence as well as free from attachment and hatred, has been the main message of Eastern humanism.

Over 15 countries will participate in the three-day conference. Representatives from Mongolia, Vietnam, South Korea, Mauritius, Russia, Spain, France, USA, UK, Bali, Indonesia, Thailand, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Royal Government of Bhutan are the international delegates and speakers invited toMadhya Pradesh to the 7th edition of the Dharma Dhamma Conference.

The 7th edition of the conference has a theme of “Eastern Humanism for the New Era”

The conference aims to bring together religious, political and thought leaders from Dharma Dhamma traditions to ponder over building a philosophical framework for the emerging new world order.

It also aims to revive the dharma-dhamma tradition and make them relevant in finding solutions and forming policies for the state in the 21^st century.

The first International Dharma-Dhamma Conference was organized on September 22-23, 2012, at Sanchi University (Madhya Pradesh).

At the same time, the 6th International Dharma-Dhamma Conference was organized on November 7-9, 2021, at Nalanda University located in Rajgir, Nalanda district of Bihar.

The India Foundation, which has organised this conference, defines the Dharma Dhamma traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism as an approach to environment, holistic healthcare, human-centric development and human dignity.

India Foundation is a New Delhi-based independent think-tank that focuses on issues, challenges and opportunities of Indian polity.

India Foundation’s vision is to be a premier think tank that can help understand the Indian civilizational influence on our contemporary society.

With a team of dedicated professionals based at its office in New Delhi, the Foundation works with partners and associates both in India and overseas to further its stated objectives.

Dharma is a key concept with multiple meanings in the Indic system of beliefs, as in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism etc.

The word Dharma is commonly translated as righteousness, merit, or moral duties governing individual conduct. Its most inappropriate rendition has been in the sense of religion or religious faith.

The word Dharma has roots in the Sanskrit, which means to hold, to maintain or to preserve.

The Sanskrit word Dharma is rendered as Dhamma in Prakrit and Pali.

The word Dhamma refers to the Buddhist doctrine and is often interpreted to mean the ‘teachings of the Buddha’

This doctrine, according to King Ashoka, was based on religious tolerance, respect for elders, and care for the old ones, kindness towards the needy; purity and truthfulness; and compassion for all sentient beings.