International Conference on Pali Language and Indian Knowledge System Held at BHU

Banaras Hindu University hosted a three-day international conference on Pali Language and Indian Knowledge System, organized by the department of Pali and Buddhist Studies. The conference brought together scholars, monks and researchers from India and six other countries.

Dr Kenji Takahashi from Toyo University, Japan, served as chief guest and discussed Japan's role in preserving Pali literature and the cultural ties between India and Japan. Pali, one of India's oldest languages, was written in the ancient Brahmi script and used by Lord Buddha to deliver his sermons. The Government of India has granted it classical language status.

Prof KTS Sarao addressed Pali's linguistic nature and Emperor Ashoka's role in spreading Buddha's teachings, while Prof Ravindra Panth highlighted the message of *Bahujanahitaya, Bahujanasukhaya*. Prof Siddharth Singh discussed Buddhism's global spread and Abhidhamma. The conference selected 81 out of 141 submitted abstracts for presentation. Dean Prof Sushma Ghildiyal described the gathering as a "galaxy of intellectuals."