Key Points
Explored Sankrityayan's linguistic skills & quest for knowledge
Digital preservation of scholarly works discussed
India's role in global Buddhism examined
Conference featured international scholars & Sankrityayan's son
The event kicked off with a keynote address by Maya Joshi, who set the stage by exploring the polymathic nature of Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan.
She delved into his life, focusing on his constant quest for knowledge and how the concept of "seeking" symbolised a meaningful life. Prof. Joshi also highlighted Sankrityayan's remarkable linguistic skills, emphasizing his passion for vernacular languages.
During the Presidential Address, Ven. Prof. Wangchuk Negi, Vice Chancellor of CIHTS, paid tribute to the legendary figure of Rahul Sankrityayan, often called "Mahapandit," recognizing his monumental contributions to Buddhism. Prof. Negi recalled one of Sankrityayan's famous quotes from the Majjhima Nikaya, "I have taken ideas as a raft to carry me across, not as a load to be borne on the head," reflecting the profound impact of his philosophical views.
The conference offered an intellectually stimulating experience, with sessions covering a range of topics such as Hindi literature, cross-cultural exchanges, and global Buddhist studies.
Notable speakers included Abhijit Halder, Director General of the International Buddhist Confederation, who delivered a thought-provoking address titled "Buddhism Beyond Borders: India's Legacy in the Evolution of Global Buddhist Traditions."
In his talk, Halder emphasized India's central role in the global spread of Buddhism and outlined the International Buddhist Confederation's initiatives to promote Buddhist pilgrimage sites globally. These efforts include digital storytelling, partnerships with global media, and the production of Buddhist-themed films aimed at reigniting public interest in places like Sarnath, Bodh Gaya, and Kushinagar.
Other distinguished speakers included Jeta Sankrityayan, son of Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan and a professor at North Bengal University; Prof. Alaka Atreya Chudal from the University of Vienna, author of a biography on Sankrityayan; Prof. Madhumita Chattopadhyay from Jadavpur University; and Prof. Ram Sudhar Singh, among others.
The conference featured a range of enlightening research presentations that discussed Sankrityayan's contributions to Hindi literature, his role in Siddha Sahitya, his global influence on Buddhism, and his views on Former Law and Justice Minister BR Ambedkar. These sessions underscored the enduring relevance of Sankrityayan's ideas across various fields.
On the final day, the discussion shifted to the digital preservation of the works of great scholars, including Rahul Sankrityayan. Experts from the Indian Institute of Technology presented the importance of digitizing scholarly works to ensure their longevity and accessibility. They highlighted how digitization makes it easier to locate specific documents within vast collections, ensuring that the richness of these works is preserved for future generations.
Comments:
Rahul P.
Finally seeing Sankrityayan ji get the recognition he deserves in the digital age! His works on Buddhism need to be preserved properly.
Meena K.
Attended Day 2 sessions - Prof. Chudal's biography insights were eye-opening. Didn't realize how much Sankrityayan traveled and documented cultures!
Arjun S.
While the conference was informative, I wish there were more practical workshops on how to access these digital archives. The theory is great but how do we use it?
Lobsang T.
As a Tibetan studies student, this was gold ✨ The Buddhist pilgrimage digitization project sounds amazing - hope they include more Himalayan sites soon!
Priya M.
Missed the event but following #SankrityayanLegacy on Twitter. Anyone know if recordings will be available? His linguistic work fascinates me.
