AFAL’s SAARC organisation of Literature, Culture, and
Research, Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature, organized an
International Seminar on BUDDHISM AS A PEACE-MAKER IN POST-MODERN SAARC on
March 4 and 5, 2009, at India International Centre, New Delhi. Through this
endeavour our attempt was to understand, preserve and revitalize the
civilizational connection of Buddhism in the SAARC region.
The Executive Convener of this Conference was the
eminent Buddhist scholar, sociologist and author, Dr. Renuka Singh.
A very interesting and meaningful dialogue and debate
was generated by over 20 scholars who presented their Papers. Over 100
persons who constituted our committed and enthusiastic audience actively
participated in the deliberation by not only asking questions but also by
their intellectual inputs.
The morning sessions started with a thin attendance.
However, as the day unfolded the numbers simply swelled and the auditorium
seemed quite vibrant. Besides the Inaugural and the Valedictory sessions,
we had two sessions each day.
Summary and Proceedings
4th March, 2009
Inaugural Session
The welcome address was delivered by Ajeet Cour,
who started by reading out the Message of His Holiness, the Dalai
Lama. Cour emphasized FOSWAL’s role in bridging gaps and
promoting peace in the SAARC region by locating and deciphering the
emotional linkages within the region : Buddhism, Sufism, Folklore and
Intangible Heritage of the region.
On the dias : Excellency Prof. Kalon
Samdong Rinpoche, Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan and Ajeet Cour
Excellency Prof. Kalon Samdong Rinpoche,
sharing his luminous thoughts with the audience, in pin-dropsilence,
addressing about houseful of scholars and practitioners of Buddhism and
Buddhist Studies.
Dr. Renuka Singh, scholar of Buddhist Studies and
Professor of Sociology in JNU, introduced the theme of the Seminar by
addressing the nuances of a modern and post-modern world that encourage
the creation of wealth but at the expense of happiness. Dr. Singh
juxtaposed this situation with the ethical code and principles of
Buddhism, which is not antagonistic to the creation of wealth, but
advocates the creation of wealth in accordance with the ethical code
and lifestyle. She introduced the sub-themes as well.
Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government in Exile,
Prof. Kalon Samdong Rinpoche, former Head of Institute of Tibetan
Studies in Sarnath, in his Keynote Address stated that today’s world is all
about ‘might is right’ and ‘survival of the fittest’.
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In a system predominated by comparison and
competition, people have lost the sense of ‘self’ and ‘compassion’.This
is not only against the Buddhist way of life but also against peace,
because competition thrives on defeating the others which has an
in-built violence about it. An understanding of self and of one's need
(not greed or want), and also an understanding of the conditioning of
one's mind can, in a great way, lead to peace. Prof. Rinpoche exhorted
this as an antidote to the violence and problems of terrorism in our
times.In her address, Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan, eminent scholar and
thinker, spoke of co-existence of life between nature and man, animate
and inanimate objects as a fundamental principle of the “non-modern” or
“primitive” world. |
| Prof. Kapila Vatsyayan, the great
scholar of culture of the sub-continent, sharing her views with the
audience. |
The principle of placing the human species top-most in a linear,
hierarchical order, argued Dr. Vatsyayan, is a dysfunction upon which the
foundations of the modern world have been built. She argued that it is
inter-connectedness and not competition that brings about reciprocity and
compassion. Dr. Vatsyayan raised a few questions:
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We are so anxious to “educate” everybody. Do we
have the humility to learn?
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Weapons of war are used to bring about peace. How
can that mindset be countered?
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When does change begin? Dr. Vatsyayan tried to
answer this by agreeing with Prof. Rinpoche and Dr. Singh that change
begins with ‘Me’.
Dr. Vatsyayan released the book “Pilgrimage to
Mansarovar” by
Prof. K.T.S. Sarao in the Inaugural Session.The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Arpana Caur, the
Secretary General of the Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature. |
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| Ajeet Cour delivering her Welcome Speech |
Session I :
This session was on “Engaged Buddhism and Buddhist
Economy”.peakers were Prof. K.T.S. Sarao, teaching in the Department
of Buddhist Studies in Delhi University, Dr. Radha Madhav Bharadwaj,
Buddhist Scholar, and Dr. S.C. Goswamy, former Professor, Delhi
University.
Prof. K.T. S. Sarao, with the help of researched
literature, argued that increased wealth in today's post-modern world does
not amount to increased happiness. Prof. Sarao critiqued consumerism and
argued that consumer society creates greed which is the base of
unhappiness, and is not based on need.
Dr. Radha Madhav Bharadwaj suggested that
Buddhism has the potential to meet some of the problems of the post-modern
world. Dr. Bharadwaj cited organizations and individuals around the world
working on Buddhist principles, positively affecting people's lives.
Dr. S.C. Goswamy, by citing evidences from
scientific experiments, argued whether it is indeed possible to demarcate
where the physical world ends and the physiological one begins. Dr. Goswamy
argued that consciousness pervades the whole universe; and that Buddha is
in every being.
Interesting questions and observations came up during the question-answer
sessions right after the speakers made their observations. Some of them
were:
1-Can we have a new “ism” based on Buddhist principles
to dismantle capitalism and consumerism?
2-How do we distinguish social activism from
socially engage Buddhism? Should we take into account the matters
of proselytization and ideology while making this distinction?
3-Are the attributes of consciousness and matter one and
the same?
4-Shouldn't we reflect on the mistaken concepts of
the many and one while interpreting the great texts of Hinduism,
Buddhism, the like?
Dr. Kunwar Narain, Prof. G.K. Chadha,
Ajeet Cour, and Dr. Renuka Singh
The Audience
Ajeet Cour presenting the ceremonial shawl
to the eminent scholar Dr. Lokesh Chandra
Arpana Caur, H.E. Prof. Kalon Samdong
Rinpoche from Dharamsala, Ajeet Cour,Dr. Renuka Singh, Ms. Laxmi Pandeya
from Nepal, and Prof. Jitendera Nath Sarkar from Bangladesh
Ajeet Cour presenting the ceremonial shawl
to Prof. Gilles Beguin, Director of Musse Cernuschi, Paris, France
Soul-sisters : Ajeet Cour and Dr. Kapila
Vatsyayan
Session II :
The theme of this session was “In Search of Buddhist
Values”. It was chaired by Prof. Asha Mukherjee, from Vishwa-Bharati
University, Shantiniketan, and the speakers were Ms. Janet Chawla, Dr. C.
Upendra Rao, Associate Professor of Pali, JNU, Laxmi Pandeya, formerly
working with UICEF Nepal, Dr. Ramanuj Ganguly, Asstt. Professor from
Kolkata, and Prof. Neelima Dahiya, Professor, Delhi University, joined us
from Rohtak.
Ms. Janet Chawla in her presentation questioned
Buddhist representation of Siddhartha's birth by referring to textual and
visual narratives. Ms. Chawla raised a pertinent question: The 'yoni' has
been worshipped in the Indian subcontinent for millennia, yet, why do
narratives on Buddha's birth don't show him as coming out of the 'yoni'.
Dr. C. Upendra Rao, Associate Professor of Pali, JNU, argued in his
paper that world peace could be brought about through the practice of
nirvana.
Dr. Laxmi Pandeya, from Nepal, shared experiences
of the peace process in Nepal and explored the role of Buddhism as a
peace-maker in the process.
Dr. Ramanuj Ganguly, an Asstt. Professor from
Kolkata, spoke of patterns in which Buddhist values have been appropriated
by the Jagannath Temple at Puri.
Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan showing Prof. K.T.S.
Sarao’s book to the audience, Excellency Prof. Kalon Samdong Rinpoche
applauding, Ajeet Cour and Prof. Sarao sharing the happy moments
Dr. Neelima Dahiya, Scholar from Rohtak, dwelt on
Buddhism and the challenges of present-day society. Prof. Dahiya stated
that the pressing need of the times is to engage in religious studies in a
secular setting, with an outsider's approach.
The questions and observations that came up during the
session were :
1-Why is it important to focus on how Buddha was born?
Shouldn't we merely concentrate on how he became an enlightened being?
2-Buddha becomes enlightened by leaving his family.
Hence, is it necessary or important to lead the life of a householder
before renouncing it in the search of enlightenment?
3-Which type of Nirvana is to be practised for world
peace?
4- Is the Buddhist population in contemporary
'secular' Nepal making any impact on the Nepali political and
administrative spheres?
5th March, 2009
Session III:
This session was on “Buddhist Art and Architecture” and
was chaired by Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan. Dr. Vatsyayan inaugurated the
Session with the observation that a tangible form of art is not merely a
piece of art, but a manifestation of multidimensional levels of exploration
and comprehension stylistic features, complex politico-art history,
personal influence, etc.
The speakers in the session were Dr. S.M.Haldar,
Prof. Gilles Beguin, Ms. Seema Kohli, Dr. K.K. Mohammad, and Ms.
Moniva Sarkar.
Dr. S.M. Haldar gave an archaeological outlook of
the Buddhist sites of 'Sirkup' and 'Sirsukh'.
Prof. Gilles Beguin, Buddisht scholar from Paris,
gave a wonderful description of the stylistic features and trajectory of
zanabazar'a sculptures. He ended his presentation with the remark that the
new corpus of zanabazar's workmanship, especially from Beijing,
caters especially to the “export” market and are clumsier.
Excellency Prof. Kalon Samdong Rinpoche
with Arpana Caur
Ajeet Cour with Prof. U.R.
Ananthamurthy
Air Marshal Gursharan Singh, Arpana Caur
and others in the audience
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Prof. Giles Beguin
France |
Arpana Caur
India |
Prof. G.K. Chadha
India |
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Prof. Bante
India |
Dr. Renuka Singh
India |
Dr. K.K. Mohammad
India |
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Prof. Jitendera Nath Sarkar
Bangladesh |
Prof. K.T.S. Sarao
India |
Ven. Bakamoone Indaratana
India |
Delegates browsing through FOSWAL’s
publications
Keeping in view the enormous success of our
International Conference on “Buddhism as a Peace-Maker in Post-Modern
SAARC”, FOSWAL is seriously considering to expand the idea further, and
hold more multi-layered intellectual Conferences on various aspects of
Buddhism and its utility in the modern-day traumatic world, and the
emotional linkages it forms, upholds and nurtures emotional and
civilisational linkages in the SAARC region and in Asia. We plan to
organise these conferences in Bodh Gaya, India; in Anuradhapuram, Sri
Lanka; in Texla, Pakistan; in Thimphu, Bhutan. Our Executive Convener Dr.
Renuka Singh, is already working on the enlarged canvas of these
Conferences
Ms. Seema Kohli related her own work of art to
the history and forms of goddesses in Buddhism, especially goddess Tara.
Dr. K.K. Mohammad, a dedicated Archaeologist and
Anthropologist of ASI, gave an interesting account of excavation
expeditions of Buddhist sites in India : illustrated accounts of how he
located the sites, how they were excavated, how little pieces of stone
brought together like a jigsaw puzzle, to recreate the ancient glory of
Buddhist monastries.
Ms. Moniva Sarkar, spoke of cultural objects as
symbols of evolutionary progressive growth and as having relevance in the
peace processes of the post-modern era. But she lamented that today,
cultural objects are mostly seen as anachronistic, and that there has been
destruction of such objects.
Interesting insights came up during the questions-answer
round:
1- Dr. Vatsyayan remarked that the history of
reconstruction of a site is very crucial because this history reveals the
archaeologist's perception and knowledge. And, therefore, the literary
historian should consider the nexus between literary data and
reconstruction of a site. Hence, the history of discovery and the history
of looking at monuments and sites are equally important.
2-The session witnessed an enlightened debate and
discussion, useful intellectual comments and inputs regarding the various
influences that zanabazar reflected in his creations.
3-There were deliberations on why excavations in
India are till today mostly inspired and influenced by the accounts of
Chinese travellers like Huen Tsang and Fa-Hein. The questions raised were
: what new methods and methodologies have been evolved to look at
excavation sites in India?
4-How do we negotiate with the gaps in relating literary
matters with archaeological matters?
Session IV
The theme of this session was “Globalization and
Buddhism”. It was chaired by Prof. K.T.S. Sarao, from the Department
of Buddhist Studies, Delhi University. The speakers were Prof. Asha
Mukherjee from Vishwa Bharati University, Shantiniketan, Prof. Jitendra
Nath Sarkar from Rajshahi University, Bangladesh, Ven. Bakamoone Indratana
from JNU, and Prof. Anita Sharma from Delhi University.
Prof. Asha Mukherjee, in her presentation,
explained how Buddhist principles could be used to deal with the problems
of modern society.
Prof. Jitendra Nath Sarkar of Bangladesh, spoke
of globalization as something which entails inter-connectedness which is,
again, but an inherent Buddhist principle: inter-connectedness in the
universe. His presentation identified financial globalization as
antagonistic to the over-all essence of globalization.
Ven. Bakamoone Indratana dwelt on how Buddhist
principles and values are integral to good health. He suggested that an
awareness and application of those principles and methods could
tremendously boost healthcare in developing countries.
Prof. Anita Sharma, citing audiences of Buddhist
organizations like Tzu Chi, Fa Ga Shan, To Gnang Shan, etc., argued that
Buddhism has extended beyond monasteries in Taiwan, and is now a great
vehicle for social and political change. Prof. Sharma particularly
emphasized on the positive and pro-active role by Taiwan's Buddhist nuns in
welfare and developmental activities.
The question-answer round had the following
observations:
1-Buddhist nuns have played such a positive and
active role in Taiwan, Sri Lanka, China, etc ! Why don't we see something
similar in India? And how could one ensure a similar situation in India?
2-Since Buddhism contains enormous possibilities to deal
with the problems of the modern world, is it feasible to insert Buddhism
in the curriculum of school education?
3-More debates should revolve around the definition of
globalization.
4-Prof. K.T.S. Sarao concluded the session
with the questions “Where have we failed?” and “Why have some of the
world's worst dictators emerged in Buddhist countries?”
Valedictory Session
The Valedictory Session was presided over by Prof.
G.K.Chadha, Vice- Chancellor of South Asian University and the
Valedictory Address was delivered by Prof. Lokesh Chandra.
Ms. Ajeet Cour highlighted the role and
objectives of FOSWAL, and in general, she commented on the themes of
modernity, post-modernity, fundamentalism and peace in the context of
Buddhist values that were raised.
“We would like to organize our next conference on
Buddhism in Bhutan and look forward to getting the support of all the
renowned scholars here, once again,” she concluded.
The final gratitude was, of course, expressed by Dr.
Renuka Singh, the Executive Convener of this wonderfully organised
Conference.