4th International Young Buddhist Research Conference Held in Sarnath

Sarnath, the historic site where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon, hosted the 4th International Young Buddhist Research Conference.

The conference brought together young Buddhist scholars and researchers from across the world to present papers on Buddhist philosophy, meditation practices, archaeology, and the relevance of Buddhist teachings in contemporary society.

Sarnath is located near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and is one of the four major Buddhist pilgrimage sites. The Dhamek Stupa at Sarnath marks the exact spot where Buddha first taught the Dharma — known as the "Turning of the Wheel of Dharma."

Why This Matters

India has been actively positioning itself as the spiritual homeland of Buddhism — strengthening ties with Buddhist-majority nations like Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Japan, and South Korea. Conferences like this serve both academic and diplomatic purposes, reinforcing India's cultural soft power while encouraging genuine scholarly exchange.

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