Through the invasion and colonization of India by the British, Buddhism went West, London Buddhist Center (Riggzy/Flickr.com).From Nov. 28-Dec. 1, 2011 a multidisciplinary festival of Buddhist arts and culture brought to India's capital performances and art from across Asia.
The festival spread across several venues like Azad Bhawan, Kamani theatre, Dilli Haat, and public spaces with performance troupes and screenings of Buddhist cinematic efforts from Buddhist countries and Buddhist Himalayan areas in India: Sri Lanka, Nepal, Japan, Cambodia, Korea, Bhutan; Ladakh, Shillong, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam.
It was presented by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) to coincide with the Global Buddhist Congregation that commemorated the 2,600th year since the Buddha's enlightenment.
Buddhism in China, Yungang Grottoes (Johntrthome/Flickr.com)The objective of the festival was to showcase the influence of Buddhism within the performing arts and other traditions. These have impacted not only India but other countries where Buddhism is the prominent religious force.
A spokesperson for ICCR said it was one of the first ever attempts by the cultural body to reinforce Buddhist traditions through the performing arts. The global congregation it coincided with was organied by the Asoka Mission.
On Nov. 30, Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama unveiled the book Sharnam Gacchami: An Album of Awakening, published by Full Circle with the support of the public diplomacy division of the External Affairs Ministry. It portrays India as the land where the Buddha taught and established roots.
The Buddha is revered as the light of Asia (Times of India).
Sonal Srivastava (Times of India)
The first ever Buddhist Festival of Performing Arts concluded in New Delhi. ICCR Director General Suresh K. Goel discusses Buddhism in South Asia.
Q: Why did the ICCR hold the Buddhist Festival of Performing Arts recently?
A: Buddhism traveled from India to Southeast Asian countries through different routes. A lot of trade took place through the Silk Route; part of the silk route was also used by the Chinese Buddhist pilgrim Hiuen-Tsang... More
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