On December 21, 2020, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi virtually addressed the 6th India-Japan SAMVAD Conference. During the Address, PM proposed to create a Library in India containing Traditional Buddhist Literature, Scriptures including digital copies from across the world. The conference was hosted by Nikkei Inc & Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF).
i.The Library will also serve as a platform for research and dialogue for scholars.
ii.The main objective is to examine how Buddhist messages can guide the modern world against contemporary challenges such as poverty, racism, extremism, gender discrimination, climate change and others.
iii.The Library will translate the literature and will make them freely available for monks and scholars of Buddhism.
Participants:
Japan Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga; Maithripala Sirisena, Former President of Sri Lanka participated in the conference.
Key Points from PM Modi’s Address:
i.PM Modi stated that the main purpose of the SAMVAD Conference is to discuss the need to build the future of Asia on traditions of non-violence and democracy.
ii.He further stated that SAMVAD conference remains true to its fundamental objectives which are
- To Encourage Dialogue and Debate
- To highlight shared values between India & Japan
- To carry forward the ancient tradition of spiritual and scholarly exchanges
Background:
i.The SAMVAD conference was 1st held in 2015 in New Delhi at Bodh Gaya.
ii.Since then it has been held in Tokyo (Japan), Yangon (Myanmar), Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia).
iii.It was held after a joint proposal by leaders of Japan and India in 2014.
Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF):
It is an independent, non-partisan institution which promotes quality research and in-depth studies, and serves as a platform for dialogue and conflict resolution.
About Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF):
Chairman – S Gurumurthy
Headquarters – New Delhi
About Japan:
Prime Minister – Yoshihide Suga
Capital – Tokyo
Currency – Japanese Yen
