President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the sixth edition of International Buddhist Conclave 2018 here on Thursday. Addressing the event, he said that the Buddhist Circuit in India is an important and revered set of destinations for the approximately 500 million-strong community of Buddhists that lives across Asia and other parts of the world.

Emphasising on the role of Japan in the conclave, he said, “I would like to acknowledge the participation of Japan as a partner country in this Conclave. India and Japan have much in common, but there are a few links we treasure as much as our shared Buddhist heritage.”

He added, Buddhism has been among India’s greatest spiritual traditions. Many great locations associated with the life and teachings of Lord Buddha are found in India.

“Voyage of Buddhism from India to Asia and the transcontinental links that were created carried more than just spiritualism. They carried a rich cargo of knowledge, arts and crafts, meditation techniques and even martial arts,” he said.

The Conclave is being organized by the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the State Governments of Maharashtra, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh from August, 23rd to 26th, 2018 at New Delhi and Ajanta (Maharashtra), followed by site visits to Rajgir, Nalanda and Bodhgaya (Bihar) and Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh)

Speaking on the safety and security of the tourists, he said state and municipal administrations play a critical role. “Tourism is a multi-stakeholder enterprise”, he added. 

The first International Buddhist Conclave took place in 2004 in New Delhi and Bodhgaya. 

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