High-ranking Bhutanese monks on a spiritual and academic tour of India

A delegation of 24 high-ranking Bhutanese monks representing Buddhist Sanghas from all districts of the Himalayan Kingdom, is on an eight-day tour of India currently.

The spiritual and academic, India-tour is an opportunity for the Venerables to visit various religious and Buddhist heritage sites, including Nagarjuna Konda, Amravati, (Andhra Pradesh), Buddhavanam (Telangana), Holy Relic at the National Museum (New Delhi), Sankissa (Uttar Pradesh), among others and to also interact with top-level representatives of the Indian government in New Delhi.

The visit holds great significance for the Venerables as it is from here that Guru Padmasambhava travelled to teach Buddhism in Bhutan. Guru Tilopa is also believed to have travelled to Bhutan from Bengal to teach Vajrayana Buddhism. In Bhutan, for every member of the Sangha (Buddhist Monastic order) a pilgrimage following the footsteps of the Buddha brings great merit.

The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in coordination with the Central Monastic Body in Thimpu (Bhutan) has organized the 8-day spiritual and educational tour and the delegation is of mainly prominent monks from Central Monastic Body in Thimpu and some senior monks from varied monasteries in Bhutan.

In Bhutan, Buddhism is not only a state religion but also a way of life. It is reflected in their art, architecture and religious traditions. The Central Monastic Body of Bhutan or the “Zhung Dratshang” was established in 1620.  The unification of the country, codification of the laws, and organizational development of the dual system of governance took place only after the establishment of this significant institution.  According to the Constitution of Bhutan, the Zhung Dratshang is an autonomous institution, financed by an annual grant from the Royal Government.

The IBC has had firm relations with Buddhist communities in Bhutan and the visit of this delegation will only further ties between the two sides.  The Buddhist Sangha of Bhutan and IBC are collaborating to strengthen the spiritual and cultural bonds as well as further enrich people-to-people relations between India and Bhutan.

The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), on the basis of a Resolution adopted at the Global Buddhist Congregation in New Delhi, in 2011, was formed in 2012 as a global umbrella Buddhist body with headquarters in New Delhi.

Established under the patronage of the supreme Buddhist religious hierarchy, it currently has a membership drawn from 39 countries, of over 320 organizations, both monastic and lay, that include world bodies, national and regional federations, orders, temple bodies and monasteries and international organizations, institutions etc.

United by the motto, “Collective Wisdom, United Voice”, IBC aims to make Buddhist values and principles a part of the global discourse by presenting a united Buddhist voice in issues that concern all humankind.

IBC stands for transparency, inclusiveness and a balanced representation of various traditions, gender, bodies both monastic and lay, and emerging Buddhist communities in Africa, the Caribbean and South America. Praised by followers of Buddha Dhamma from around the world for including both Sangha and laity in its governing structure, IBC has been hailed by the international media as a forward looking, inclusive, credible and actions-oriented World Buddhist Umbrella Body.

The IBC also stands for the preservation, development and promotion of Buddhist heritage, both tangible and intangible worldwide, especially the holy sites like Bodh Gaya in India, where Buddha attained Enlightenment.

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