Religious leaders, scholars unite for World Peace in Ladakh

 CHANDIGARH: In a quest for global peace and stability, an international conference on world peace was held at the Acharya Nagarjuna Auditorium CIBS in Leh, Ladakh, on Monday, when religious leaders and eminent scholars of different faiths from across the world came together and expressed their views on world peace and its relevance in the present time when the world is confronting many challenges. The conference was attended by nearly 2500 leaders, devotees, and eminent scholars of different religions, including the Convenor of the Indian Minorities Foundation (IMF) and Chancellor Chandigarh University, Satnam Singh Sandhu. The Buddhist monks and devotees of nearly seven countries participated in the conference, where deliberations were held on how to deal with contemporary global challenges with the help of Buddhist philosophy and thought.

On the occasion, the prominent leaders of different faiths also signed a ten-point Ladakh Peace Declaration, which called for commitment to non-violence and dedication to the cause of peace. The declaration also urged the need for interfaith harmony and regional cooperation, as well as a call for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

Monks from countries like Thailand, Nepal, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and the USA participated in the event, which was organised by the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC), Ladakh, and was held a day after a large congregation of Buddhist monks from across countries, leaders of other religious bodies, and students carried out a peace walk to promote world peace.

The conference was attended by Her Excellency Ms. Pattarat Hongtong, Ambassador of Thailand to India; Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, Member of Parliament from Ladakh; Satnam Singh Sandhu, Convenor of the Indian Minorities Foundation (IMF); Bhikkhu Sanghasena, Founder and President of MIMC; Ven. Dr. Pornchai Palawadhammo, President of the World Alliance of Buddhists (WAB), Thailand; Gagan Malik, film actor; Dr. Ravindra Panth, Director of the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC); and Dr. Priya Ranjan Trivedi, President of the International Association of Educators for World Peace (IAEWP), among others.

Several leaders from different religions also addressed and shared their peace messages during the international conference, which was aimed at spreading the message of peace and harmony across the world. The conference was held a day after the 32-day Padh Yatra of 150 Buddhist monks and laypersons from Thailand culminated at Leh's Shanti Stupa.

Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, a Member of Parliament from Ladakh, said that India, which is aiming for the sky, is moving ahead towards prosperity and development. "Our country is committed to world peace and will continue to promote the values of humanity and harmony. Through this international conference for world peace, a significant milestone was achieved because it sends the message of peace from India's highest plateau, which will transcend boundaries to reach across the globe and promote harmony and brotherhood," said Jamyang Tsering Namgyal.

Her Excellency Ms. Pattarat Hongtong, Ambassador of Thailand to India, hailed the relationship between India and Thailand, which she said is already working on promoting peace and harmony in the world. "We have a strong bilateral relationship based on our shared interests for the welfare of humanity. We respect India for its commitment to spreading the message of peace across the globe," she said.

She further said that India is the place from which Buddhism has spread, and peace will also spread from here to every corner of the world.

Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena, Founder and President of MIMC, said, "Our objective of promoting peace in the world was achieved through this international conference, as the religious leaders who travelled from several countries to attend this conference will act as the messengers of peace and spread it in different parts of the world."

He also said that a large number of religious leaders from different faiths attended the event enthusiastically, which shows their commitment. "It also illustrates how peace is considered pivotal for the progress and development of the world," added Bhikkhu Sanghasena.

Meanwhile, IMF Convenor and Chancellor of Chandigarh University, Satnam Singh Sandhu, during his address at the conference, emphasised the importance of peace for the welfare of humanity. "Right from the First World War till date, there have been more than 150 wars, small and big, including the civil wars, which have seen mass destruction of humanity. It is estimated that 100 million people have died during the various wars that the world has witnessed to date. As the world is facing numerous challenges, the significance and relevance of peace in current times increase even more." (IANS)

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