Reaffirming India’s unparalleled position as the Motherland of Buddha Dhamma and the global centre of Buddhist heritage, the country will once again host the largest international Buddhist event in Southeast Asia and India—the International Tipiṭaka Chanting Ceremony in Bodhgaya, Bihar, along with the Commemorative Walk retracing the Buddha’s footsteps from Jethian Valley to the sacred bamboo grove of Venuvana in Rajgir.

The 12-day spiritual gathering at Bodhgaya—the hallowed Seat of Enlightenment—will be organised by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and the Light of Buddha Dharma Foundation International (LBDFI), USA. The event continues to embody India’s commitment to preserving and promoting its timeless Buddhist heritage before the world.

This year’s festival is supported by several Buddhist organisations of India, led by the International Tipiṭaka Chanting Committee (ITCC).

More than 20,000 Sangha members and lay devotees are expected to participate, including distinguished monastic delegations from:

 

            •           Thailand

            •           Myanmar

            •           Sri Lanka

            •           Cambodia

            •           Laos PDR

            •           Vietnam

            •           Indonesia

            •           Nepal

            •           Bangladesh

            •           United States

 

Over 1,000 dedicated volunteers from across India will serve the event, reflecting the deep reverence for the Buddha’s teachings across the nation.

Celebrating the Sacred Tipiṭaka

The Tipiṭaka, the revered corpus of the Buddha’s teachings, stands as a monumental spiritual, literary, and philosophical legacy of ancient India. The chanting of these scriptures under the Bodhi Tree—the very site where Siddhartha Gautama attained Enlightenment—remains a powerful symbol of continuity and devotion in the global Buddhist tradition.

Key Highlights of the 12-Day Event

 

            •           Daily recitation of Pali scriptures under the sacred Bodhi Tree

            •           Discourses by eminent Dhamma gurus

            •           Interactive question–answer sessions

            •           An art gallery and cultural showcase featuring artists from India and abroad

            •           Cultural performance by an IBC-sponsored group on the opening day

 

A Special Offering: 220 Golden Buddha Statues

 

A major highlight this year is the consecration and donation of 220 four-foot golden Buddha statues, exquisitely handcrafted in Odisha. These statues—symbolising wisdom, compassion, and peace—will be offered to devotees and communities across India.

 

These sacred images will serve as spiritual anchors for:

 

            •           New temples

            •           Meditation centres

            •           Community spaces

 

This nationwide offering marks a significant resurgence and revitalisation of Buddha Dhamma in its sacred homeland.

 

India’s Enduring Commitment to Buddha Dhamma

 

By hosting this global event, India reiterates its enduring responsibility in preserving and promoting the Buddha’s message of peace, compassion, and enlightenment. The International Tipiṭaka Chanting Ceremony and the commemorative walk continue to inspire unity, cultural exchange, and spiritual awakening across nations.

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Sunil Kumar Tiwari

pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

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