Greater Noida, India, September 16, 2023 – The Gautam Buddha University (GBU) in collaboration with International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), is proud to announce the celebration of the International Abhidhamma Divas, marking the descent of the Buddha from the celestial realm. This auspicious event is scheduled to take place on the full moon day of Śharada Pūrṇimā, October 28, 2023, at the GBU campus in Greater Noida. This year’s celebration holds special significance as it coincides with the Centenary Year of Vipassanā Ācārya Dr. Satya Narayan Goenka.
Shri Abhijit Halder, Director General, IBC said that the International Abhidhamma Divas, the third Flagship program of the IBC, commemorates the day when the Buddha descended from the celestial domain of the thirty-three divine beings to Sankassiya (presently known as Sankisa Basantapur, Farrukhabad district of Uttar Pradesh). The significance of this event is documented by the Aśokan Elephant Pillar, signifying its importance. The Buddha is believed to have taught the Abhidhamma to the Devas and his mother before his descent, making it a pivotal moment in Buddhist history.
Furthermore, this year’s celebration coincides with the end of the Rainy Retreat and the Pavāraņā festival, adding to its spiritual significance.
The Centenary Year of Vipassanā Ācārya Dr. Satya Narayan Goenka is another noteworthy aspect of this event. Dr. Goenka, a luminary in the world of meditation and mindfulness, played a crucial role in propagating Vipassanā meditation worldwide. His teachings, marked by simplicity and universality, have impacted countless lives, making meditation accessible to diverse communities. Dr. Goenka’s centenary celebration honors his enduring legacy, emphasizing his contributions to the well-being of humanity, said Prof Ravindra Panth, Director, IBC.
Whereas Prof Ravindra Kumar Sinha has added that an International Conference on “The Tenets of the Buddha Dhamma and Global Well-Being: Nature, Significance, and Applicability” will be held from October 28 to 30, 2023 is going to held as well with the objectives to explore the profound teachings of Buddha in the context of peace, prosperity, compassion, tolerance, non-violence, spirituality, and harmony. It seeks to draw scholars, academia, and practitioners to discuss the role of Buddhist principles in addressing contemporary global issues.
The conference’s main themes and sub-themes cover a wide range of topics, from Abhidhamma philosophy to Vipassanā meditation, mental health, gender discrimination, global warming, and the impact of Buddhism on various aspects of life, further added by Dr Arvind Kumar Singh, Conference Director from GBU.
Abstracts are invited from scholars, researchers, and practitioners in the field of Buddhist Studies and related areas. The deadline for abstract submission is October 15, 2023, and full papers are expected by October 25, 2023.
Dr Vishwas Tripathi, Registrar added that this grand celebrations and conference promise to be a platform for profound discussions, reflections, and the exploration of Buddhist teachings for the betterment of global well-being. We look forward to welcoming participants from around the world to this enriching event.
