Bodh Gaya to host 4th International Buddhist conclave

With a view to showcasing and projecting the Buddhist heritage and pilgrim sites of India, the Ministry of Tourism is organizing the 4th International Buddhist Conclave in Bodhgaya and Sarnath, in collaboration with the state governments of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh from the 26th to 28th September 2014

Around 250 delegates from across the world will participate in the conclave and will be taken on a tour in Bodh Gaya and other areas associated with Lord Buddha.

Union Tourism Additional Secretary Girish Shankar recently attended a meeting in Bihar with various officials and representatives of the Buddhist community to look into preparations at central hall.

International Buddhist Conclaves have earlier been organized in New Delhi and Bodhgaya (February 2004); Nalanda and Bodhgaya (February 2010) and Varanasi and Bodhgaya (September 2012).

The International Buddhist conclave is one of the initiatives being taken by India as its commitment as the land of origin of Buddhism and to improve the experience of pilgrims as well as tourists wishing to savour the essence of Buddhist heritage, at the Buddhist sites of the country.

The conclave will include presentations, panel discussion, business to business meetings between the international and domestic tour operators, an exhibition highlighting the Buddhist attractions in India, as well as visits to important Buddhist sites in and around Bodhgaya and Sarnath. State governments will set up booths at the conference venue for interacting with the international delegates and for showcasing India's Buddhist Heritage.

The conclave will be inaugurated on 27th September 2014 at the Kagyupa International Monlam Trust, near Terger Monastery, Bodhgaya, by the Chief Minister of Bihar and the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism and Culture Shripad Naik, in the presence of the Minister for Tourism, Government of Bihar and the Minister for Technical Education, Government of Uttar Pradesh.