Nalanda hosts global Buddhist meet
By IANSSaturday, February 6, 2010
PATNA - A two-day international Buddhist conclave began Saturday in Bihar’s Nalanda district, attended by hundreds of academics, monks as well as travel and tour operators.
Minister of State for Tourism Kumari Selja inaugurated the ‘International Buddhist Conclave - Experience Buddhism in the Land of its Origin’ meet along with Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi.
Nearly 150 delegates from over two dozen countries including the US, Britain, China, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Australia as well as Sri Lanka are attending the conclave.
Nalanda, an ancient seat of Buddhist learning, is located about 100 km from Patna. Some 200 Indian delegates associated with Buddhism and tourism industry are also attending it.
“The Nalanda meet seeks to revive the age old tradition of debates and discussions on various aspects of Buddhism and its relevance in the present day world,” Bihar tourism department principal secretary Rashmi Verma said.
