The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture, hosted the 3rd International Conference of Young Buddhist Scholars (ICYBS) at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre on Friday with the theme “Wisdom Transmission in Buddha Dhamma in the 21st Century.”
The conference brought together scholars, monks and dignitaries from India, Russia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Taiwan. Discussions centred on ways to transmit the values of Buddha Dhamma—compassion, mindfulness and ethical conduct—through digital tools, intercultural dialogue, education and personal practice.
IBC Secretary General Shartse Khensur Jangchup Choeden Rinpoche, in his welcome address, stressed the need to sustain the sacred continuity of wisdom. Senior researcher Yeshi Dawa from the 108 Peace Institute highlighted compassion’s role in addressing youth mental health challenges, while a documentary on the “Holy Relic Exposition in Vietnam,” which drew 17.8 million devotees earlier this year, was screened.
IBC Director General Abhijit Halder emphasised mindfulness, impermanence, compassion, self-realisation and environmental responsibility as five essentials for youth. Keynote speaker Prof. K T S Sarao praised IBC’s choice of the term “Buddha Dhamma” over “Buddhism,” calling it vital for ethical global governance.
Gautam Buddha University Vice-Chancellor Rana Pratap Singh, the chief guest, called for the integration of Buddha Dhamma into education, including science curricula, to promote leadership, happiness and sustainability.
Panel discussions ranged from Emperor Ashoka’s governance model and the Guru-Shishya tradition to ethical artificial intelligence and youth engagement through Sangha-led initiatives.
Concluding the event, Prof. Ravindra Panth of IBC’s Academics Division underlined the need to preserve the uninterrupted flow of consciousness (Citta Santati) through collective practice and commitment.