Context:
The Indian Vice President recently inaugurated the 12th General Assembly of the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace in New Delhi.
Relevance:
GS II: International Relations
Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace (ABCP)
Inception and Vision:
- Founded in 1970 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace (ABCP) stands as a voluntary movement uniting both monastic and lay followers of Buddhism. Its primary objective is to harmonize the endeavors of Buddhists towards fostering universal peace, collaboration, and harmony among the people of Asia.
Headquarters and Leadership:
- Presently headquartered at the Ganden Tegchenling Monastery in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, the ABCP is led by the Supreme Head of Mongolian Buddhists, who serves as the President of the conference.
Historical Context:
- The roots of ABCP trace back to the geopolitics of the Cold War era, where peace movements sought alliances and outreach. In 1970, prominent Buddhist leaders, including Venerable Gabji Samaagiin Gombojav and Venerable Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, convened to officially establish ABCP with an enduring base in Ulaanbaatar.
International Participation:
- Actively engaging participants from Mongolia, Japan, India, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bhutan, Russian Far East, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and other regional nations, ABCP emerged as a platform for collective Buddhist efforts.
UN Recognition:
- Acknowledging its substantial contributions to global well-being, ABCP attained observer status in the UN’s Economic and Social Council in 1988, underscoring its commitment to humanity’s welfare.
