3rd International Buddhist Conference, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Ever since I had seen the below tweet on @odisha_tourism handle, I had been very excited to be a part of 3rd International Buddhist Conference from 13-15 February 2015! 

We are organising the 3rd International Conference on Buddhist Heritage of Odisha from 13th to 15th Feb. pic.twitter.com/3CzRF5RPUU
— Odisha Tourism (@odisha_tourism) February 5, 2015

Coming to know of the attractive itinerary, I was super-charged and decided that I would anyhow attend this promising event in the City of Temples, my beautiful city of Bhubaneswar.

Source: http://www.orissatourism.gov.in/portal/Festivals/SpecialFestivals/Buddhist.aspx

Underlying reason for my interest was that though I have been born and brought up in Odisha, I had still not visited the world famous Buddhist tourist circuit of Odisha called 'Diamond Triangle' consisting of Lalitgiri, Ratnagiri, Udaygiri. Also, I had always been curious about Buddhism, and I felt what better way to quench my thirst for knowledge of Buddhism than to attend an international conference on Buddhism in my very own city!

And that is how I embarked on my very own journey of enlightenment of 3 days. Below I shall give an overview of day-wise events with the promise to write specific posts on various Buddhist sites separately in the coming weeks.

Day-1 (13 Feb):

 

The inauguration of this Conference was done by Hon'ble Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Nabeen Pattnaik. Among dignitaries and invitees were Shri Subhash Goyal, Chairman, IATO (Indian Association of Tour Operators); many tour operators from especially Delhi; scholars, researchers, Professors from around the country and the world. 

Source: http://www.orissatourism.gov.in/portal/Festivals/SpecialFestivals/Buddhist.aspx

 Engaging sessions were held after the inaugural ceremony:

a) Session 1: An interactive session where after dignitaries on the dias gave their views, the audience also gave many suggestions to help create action plan in unison with tour operators for promoting Odisha's rich Buddhist heritage. Catch a short report on this session in The Telegraph HERE, in which I've also been mentioned.

b) Session 2: Many researchers and Professors presented papers on Buddhism in Odisha and elsewhere in India. Very enriching session.

c) Session 3: Aim of this session was to deliberate on how to market our beautiful Buddhist sites to people within the state, country and the world. Practical suggestions came up.

In the evening, cultural programme was held at Rabindra Mandap, Bhubaneswar. An Odia album 'Deha Videha' of Buddhist Tantragan was launched, accompanied by video of sand art making by Sudarsan Pattnaik. Catch a few minutes of the magic HERE. The Sri Lankan dance performances after that were simply mind-blowing. Catch a glimpse HERE.

Day-2 (14 Feb):

 

This was the site visit day and a most memorable, surreal experience for me and I am sure, for all attending delegates. We were taken to the glorious 'Diamond Triangle' in Jajpur District, Odisha. 

First we went to Lalitgiri, which has four monasteries (one is still being excavated) and a rich repository of Buddhist artefacts right from 2nd century BC. Its Chaityagriha Stupa Complex (from 1st Century BC to 7th Century AD) is exquisite. MahaStupa here is also beautiful.

Next stop was Ratnagiri. This has the famous ornamental gateway as the entrance of rich excavated remains of Monastery-1. Votive stupas excavated around it add to the mystical element of the surreal surroundings. For us delegates, it was a most out-of-the-world experience when we got to join the prayers of the monks accompanying us, in the small and peaceful Buddha room inside the monastery. Catch the peaceful chants HERE.

Yours Truly at the rich ornamental gateway to Monastery 1, Ratnagiri

Finally we visited Udaygiri which is a lush green complex surrounded by hills. Nestled in such a pristine atmosphere is a stunning 9th Century AD stepwell and a small temple where Lord Jagannath is worshipped as Buddha. In Hinduism, Buddha is considered as an Avatar of Vishnu and Lord Jagannath is also Vishnu. Maha Stupa here is superb. Udaygiri felt like a place where the Buddha was actually giving the treasure of knowledge silently, as one of the monks said. 

MahaStupa at Udaygiri

Catch a photo essay of entire Day2 HERE.

As it was February 14, I felt that there could be no better way of celebrating Valentine Day than taking your loved one to Odisha's  'Diamond Triangle'- the perfect destination where love could reach a higher plane, become sublime, merge with spiritualism and simply transcend the world. On another thought, February 14 was my date with the Buddha and the destination could never have been more perfect than this! :) Felt completely blessed!

Day-3 (15 Feb):

 

This was the concluding day. First we were taken on a site visit to Dhauligiri, where Vishwa Shanti Stupa is there. It was here that Ashoka had transformed from Chandashoka (Evil Ashoka) to Dhammashoka (Pious Ashoka) after Kalinga War and had adopted Buddhism. Yes, Odisha is the sacred land called Kalinga in ancient times. Its people have been peace-loving, great seafarers, traded across countries of South east Asia and perfect ambassadors of generous Bharatvarsha since the very ancient times! Witnessing Ashokan Rock Edict of 2nd Century BC written in Prakrit language with Brahmi script was awe-inspiring. Also, the rock-cut elephant is majestic.

3rd Intl #buddhist Conf #odisha rare 2nd century BC asokan rock edict & elephant #dhauligiri #travel #ttot @BBSRBuzz pic.twitter.com/6nGTAgSIiW
— Amrita Sabat (@rocking_amsa) February 15, 2015

View of #shanti #stupa 4m backside WHR #dhabaleswar temple is der! #bhubaneswar #odisha 3rd Intl #buddhist conf pic.twitter.com/9VdQ2Z5eXo
— Amrita Sabat (@rocking_amsa) February 15, 2015

Later, there was another very fruitful session on how to enhance Buddhist tourism in Odisha. Now suggestions were more pin-pointed as all had experienced the main sites. After this session, the delegates were felicitated and major state government measures to boost tourism were announced.

Professors,delegates 4m #Kyoto University #Japan being felicitated 3rd Intl #buddhist Conf 3rd day #odisha #ttot pic.twitter.com/3WpzhNPKcD
— Amrita Sabat (@rocking_amsa) February 15, 2015

The Conference, thus, ended on a successful and optimistic note giving many memories to cherish. Thanks Odisha Tourism for this wonderful experience. Let us all work to spread peace in the world...what better way than to follow Ashoka's philosophy of relegating violence, bloodshed and embracing secularism, peace and joy?! Let this message spread again from the soil of Odisha- modern day Kalinga....

Tourists from world over must come to Odisha to experience ultimate peace, bliss in life....Odisha/Kalinga beckons to you!


**This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.