Abhidhamma Divas Honours Teachings of Lord Buddha, Celebrates Revival of Pali Language

The event in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and at preserving the ancient Pali language and sacred texts associated with Buddhism in India's a capital city of New Delhi in Vigyan Bhavan.

The event commenced with the lighting of lamps and offering a flowers to Buddha followed by a special screening of a Buddhist - themed film and religious chanting by monks.

The auspicious Adhidhamma Divas commemorates the descent of Lord Buddha from the celestial realm after teaching Adhidhamma, wherein the ancient Pali language is closely associated with the teachings of Buddhism and is often studied and practiced by scholars and practitioners to get better insights and understanding of the religion.

Abhijit Halder, Director General of the International Buddhist Confederation, highlighted the Declaration of Pali as a classical language during the event a significant initiative to promote and preserve this ancient language.

"It is the youth who have to learn the language, and we in the IBC haven't been trying to engage the youth aggressively. We have had many youth sections; we have had research topics which were discussed in different forums; we have also invited people to write papers on various topics which are associated with everything I've heard the Adhidhamma Pali etc and we have received very good responses as well" he said.

" Is it going to make it very big difference because India in the country of the origin of this language and therefore we are the ones we it be giving it the respect and regard. So with the declaration of classical language, I'm sure is it going to bring a lot of positivity in terms of spread of the palate language and a lot of exchanges between countries like a Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and India on the Pali language. I'm sure a lot of missing links wouldn't be completed, the most important thing is that when you have a direct access to a language you understand the teaching of Buddha even better" the IBC director General added.

The event, graced by the prisoner of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister of the culture Sri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affair Shri Kiren Rijiju, saw the participation of around 2000 delegates and months from around the globe.

A student at the event said it was a great initiative in the direction of the revival of ancient culture.

"He (Prime Minister) stated the prominence of languages such as Pali, Sanskrit and Prakrit and we could relate to what he was saying and I too believe that in today's time the languages should be preserved" she said.

"There are crores at manuscripts that have yet to be the read and their languages have a yet to be really realized, so I believe it will study our languages like Pally, Sanskrit and Prakrit then only will we get to know the ocean like that Indian culture and traditions which we are not aware of yet, so it is a great initiative that we have in the direction of its preservation" she added.

Dr Demenda Porage, the Deputy Secretary General at IBC said "India being a land of philosophy and an educational hub for the ancient world or now has come up again to spread peace in the world with the teachings of the Buddha".

The gathering of scholars, monks and young experts from diverse backgrounds highlighted the universal relevance of Buddha's teachings and the shared responsibility to safeguard this invaluable knowledge'.(ANI)