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Critical Topics and Their Significance for the UPSC CSE Examination on April 22, 2025

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Buddhist Conclave

For Preliminary Examination: Buddhist Circuits, Tipatikas

For Mains Examination: GS I - Art & Culture

Context:

In a first, the government is organising a two-day conclave starting April 21 in Arunachal Pradesh to highlight the spread and impact of Buddhism in India’s Northeast. It is organised jointly by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture.

Read about:

International Buddhist Confederation (IBC)

Impact of Buddhism in India’s Northeast

Key takeaways:

Essence and Significance of Buddhism in Northeast India

An event titled ‘Buddha Dhamma and the Culture of Northeast India’ seeks to underscore the vital role that the northeastern region of India plays in the preservation and propagation of Buddhist heritage, monastic traditions, and spiritual culture. According to Abhijit Halder, Director-General of the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC)—a global body headquartered in New Delhi—the Northeast has been a cradle for various strands of Buddhism, notably Theravāda, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna.

This region is home to numerous indigenous communities who have deeply woven Buddhist philosophy into their cultural and spiritual practices. Halder emphasized that the narrative of Theravāda Buddhism in Namsai district is a striking example of enduring faith, cultural strength, and a contemporary revival of ancient traditions. One of the key goals of the conclave is to bring such inspiring stories to the attention of the global community.

The Origins and Core Teachings of Buddhism

Buddhism originated in India around the 5th or 6th century BCE, during a transformative period often described by historians as India’s “second urbanisation.” This era saw significant socio-cultural shifts in the Gangetic plains. Arising alongside other non-Vedic belief systems like Jainism, Buddhism served as a response to the orthodox and ritual-heavy practices of Vedic Hinduism.

At the heart of the Buddha’s teachings are the Four Noble Truths, which outline the nature of suffering and the path to liberation:

• The Truth of Suffering (Dukkha): Life is fundamentally marked by suffering, whether in the form of pain, loss, or dissatisfaction.

• The Cause of Suffering (Dukkha-samudaya): Suffering originates from a chain of twelve interconnected causes, known as the twelve links of dependent origination (dvādaśa nidānacakra or bhāvacakra). These links include:

  • Avidyā (ignorance)

  • Samskāra (karmic formations)