Two international conferences held in Lumbini under the theme “Buddhist Education and Diplomacy for Sustainable Development” concluded with the issuance of a 15-point declaration.
Organized by Lumbini Buddhist University in collaboration with the South Asia Foundation and the Indian Embassy, the conference saw participation from diplomats, university officials, and Buddhist scholars from Nepal and India.
The forum emphasized the expansion of global peace diplomacy based on Buddhist philosophy and declared the development of Lumbini as a major center for peace research.
One key outcome was the recommendation to establish Buddhist Environmental Diplomatic Centers in conflict-sensitive areas across the world to promote dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution.
The conference called for the creation of globally recognized ethical diplomatic standards inspired by Buddhist values and morals. Scholars advocated for the promotion of integrated peace tourism across Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Nepal and India to enhance mutual understanding and cultural harmony.
Further recommendations included:
- Forming International Buddhist Peace Organizations to foster youth engagement in Buddhist philosophy, peace education, and sustainable development.
- Promoting ethical AI systems inspired by Buddhist thought to anticipate conflict, identify misinformation, and guide meditation-based solutions.
- Establishing a “Lumbini Peace Index”, modeled after the Global Peace Index, to evaluate peace metrics based on Buddhist principles.
The declaration also called for the formation of Buddhist Monk Think Tanks in collaboration with universities and government agencies to offer philosophical and moral guidance during global crises.
It was announced that an annual “Lumbini International Diplomatic Retreat” will be held, and that Buddhist legal philosophy will be promoted for the study and application of international law and conflict resolution.
Key topics discussed during the conference included:
- Buddhist Education and Global Diplomacy
- Compassion and Conflict Resolution
- Sustainable Development Based on Buddhist Principles
- Cooperation and Peacebuilding
Prominent participants included former diplomat and scholar Prof. Dr. Lok Raj Baral, former Indian ambassadors Dr. Amarendra Khatua and Ruchi Ghanashyam, and former ambassador Tanka Karki, among others.
A total of 58 scholars contributed to focused discussions on the agenda. The two-day conference featured working papers presented by former ambassadors, university vice-chancellors, Buddhist scholars, and researchers.
Lumbini Buddhist University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Subarna Lal Bajracharya announced the continuation of such conferences in the future. The declaration was presented by Dr. Manik Ratna Shakya, Dean of Lumbini Buddhist University.
