Lumbini International Buddhist Conference 2021

Lumbini Buddhist University (LBU) was conceived at the First World Buddhist Summit held in Lumbini in 1998 AD. Its establishment was initiated with the promulgation of LBU Ordinance in 2004 AD preceding the Second World Buddhist Summit. The LBU Act was endorsed by the Parliament in 2006 AD (Vikaram Samvat 2063). Accepting and Following the teaching of Lord Gautam Buddha, LBU is dedicated to World Peace through academic activities and research in the areas of Buddhist Philosophy, Literature, Education, Culture and the applied subjects to inspire Shanti, Bandhutva, Maitrai, Sadbhava (peace, empathy, friendship and compassion).

LBU has been organizing the Lumbini International Buddhist Conference on Buddhism and contemporary themes annually on an auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima (Birth Anniversary of Lord Gautam Buddha). This year’s main theme is “Post COVID-19 Pandemic: Knowledge, Ethics and Collective Responsibility.” The conference aims to generate innovative and creative ideas based on Buddhist philosophy to overcome the negative effects of the ongoing long-term pandemic. It, moreover, gives special attention to the development of strategies, programs, policies and enhances cooperation among Buddhist academic institutions on promoting Buddhist education.

 ■ Objectives and Themes

The main goal of the conference is to promote Lumbini as a hub of  scholars, researchers, teachers and student in the field of Buddhist Studies (Applied Buddhism). For this year, the specific  objectives and the themes of the conference are as follows:

• To bring together diverse people including spiritual leaders, educators, scholars, students, and practitioners to share their experiences and research results on different aspects of Buddhism;
• To discuss an individual as well as community’s social responsibilities in the context of COVID-19 pandemic;
• To explore the scopes of adapting the “Triple Gems” concepts of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha (as enlightenment, ethics, and collective responsibility) in the COVID-19 pandemic and post-pandemic era; and
• To delve into applied Buddhism for innovative and creative ideas in solving the socio-economic as well as psychological problems in the contexts of current as well as in the post-COVID-19 era.

Main Theme:

Post COVID-19 Pandemic: Knowledge, Ethics and Collective Responsibility

Subtheme 1: Lumbini and Tourism

The session brings the spiritual leaders, scholars, policy-makers, administrators, local elites, and activists in the tourism development of Lumbini – the sacred birthplace of the Buddha. It aims to evaluate the state, progress, and challenges of the tourism strategy, policy, program, and coordination among stakeholders in the promotion of tourism in Lumbini. It mostly focuses on generating creative and innovative ideas on lengthening the stay of tourists in Lumbini. Discussion on the changing dynamic of global tourism – which has a direct impact on our national economy too – in the post-COVID era, is also an important part of this session.

Subtheme 2: Buddhist Philosophy and International Peace

Buddhism teaches us about transformation and the path of peace. We ourselves can transform the lives of the people and their relations. Often, knowingly and unknowingly, our discussion deeply goes to nation-state-centric Buddhist diplomacy and geopolitical categories, when we talk about the Buddhist way of peace in international politics. This session aims to discuss the ways (techniques)  to overcome this practical dilemma. The key questions of the session are: What is the universal vision of peace in the Buddhist worldview? How can we develop the Buddhist way of peace culture in international politics? How can we promote peace research? How the global order is changing in the post-COVID-19 era? How can we reshape it? What can be our contribution to making a peaceful global community?

Subtheme 3: Buddhism and Higher Education

The session aims to focus on two specific agendas related to Buddhist Education. First, Buddhist studies as a disciplinary studies: the state, direction and limitation. Does it have a homogeneity like other disciplines? What is the trend of the development of the sub-fields in Buddhist studies in Asia and beyond? What are the key academic discourses in Buddhist studies on re-structuring the Sangha in the post COVID-19 era? Second, academic management of the Buddhist universities: How can they promote Buddhist pedagogical principles in professional majors? What do the Buddhist academic institutions need to focus on enriching students’  liberal arts or humanistic education mostly in the COVID-19 era?

Subtheme 4: Sustainable Development

How can we classify the similarities and differences between modern sustainable development and sustainable development in Buddhist tradition? Are we really aware of the physical future of the earth? What has COVID-19 taught us? What have we learned? What have we missed? These questions will be discussed in this session. The session particularly welcomes the research articles and innovative ideas based on application of Buddhist philosophy on the development of economically viable tapovana (meditation grove) in the modern era.