Buddha’s Teachings Strengthen India-US Cultural Ties: Ambassador Kwatra

NEW YORK, Oct 28: Buddhism’s enduring philosophy serves as a bridge between Indian and American societies, strengthening their cultural understanding and providing a deeper foundation for bilateral cooperation, India’s Ambassador to the United States Vinay Kwatra has said.

Addressing a conference organised by the Consulate General of India in New York, titled India’s Timeless Message: Buddhism from the Ancient to the Contemporary Times, Kwatra emphasised that relations between the two countries extend beyond government to government engagement, trade, technology and investment.

He said shared spiritual traditions and intellectual engagement with Lord Buddha’s teachings, which originated around 2,500 years ago, continue to foster meaningful connections between people in both nations.

Kwatra described Buddhism as an important element of the India-US relationship, noting that its philosophical principles remain relevant despite changing interpretations over the centuries. He also highlighted the United States’ significant contribution to academic research and the study of Buddhist philosophy.

The conference examined Buddhism’s historical spread from India towards the East and its contemporary expansion in Western societies. Discussions covered the role of Sanskrit, regional art, digital platforms, artificial intelligence and scientific research in preserving and interpreting Buddhist knowledge across cultures.

Kwatra said the effort to understand Buddha’s philosophy itself offers an enriching experience, adding that its fundamental teachings have retained their relevance from the time of enlightenment to the present day.

He also outlined India’s initiatives to strengthen Buddhist scholarship and revive the country’s historic role as a global centre of learning. These include efforts to develop Nalanda as an international university and establish additional centres for Buddhist studies in Sarnath, Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.

India is also expanding research partnerships and academic exchanges with other countries, while developing Buddhist circuits connecting significant locations associated with Buddha’s life and teachings.

The proposed circuits aim to transform important religious and historical destinations into centres of education, cultural interaction and knowledge-sharing. Key locations include Bodh Gaya in Bihar and Sarnath, Kushinagar and Shravasti in Uttar Pradesh.

Highlighting opportunities for greater international cooperation, Kwatra suggested establishing Nalanda chairs at American universities to promote the systematic study of Buddhist philosophy. He also stressed the importance of preserving, digitising and translating Buddhist manuscripts, alongside facilitating exchanges between researchers, scholars and students.

The conference brought together Buddhist monks, practitioners, academics and researchers to explore the historical legacy and contemporary significance of Buddhism.

Delivering the keynote address, Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche, a master of Buddhist meditation and philosophy in the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions, described India’s enduring spiritual message as an invitation to cultivate happiness and inner transformation.

He said the essential purpose of Dharma, or religious practice, is to help individuals become better human beings rather than pursue a particular religious identity.

According to Rinpoche, the core of Buddha’s teachings lies in personal growth, self transformation and the development of qualities that benefit individuals and society, irrespective of their religious background.

The discussions underscored the potential of Buddhism to encourage cross cultural understanding and create new avenues for educational, intellectual and spiritual cooperation between India and the United States.