Buddhist festival woos visitors this weekend

New Delhi, Dec 8 (IANS) Discourses by eminent scholars and practitioners of Buddhism, an exhibition of international and Indian Buddhist art and architecture, along with a plethora of other programmes are all set to enthrall visitors at a festival being organised by the Ministry of External Affairs.

"Bodhi Parva: BIMSTEC Festival of Buddhist Heritage," conceptualised by Teamwork Arts kicks off on Friday at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA) here.

"Bodhi Parva emphasises the strong Buddhist heritage ties shared among BIMSTEC Member States. It is a timely initiative in this landmark year when BIMSTEC celebrates its 20th Anniversary," said Preeti Saran, Secretary (East), MEA.

BIMSTEC (the Bay of Bengal Initiative for multi-sectoral technical and economic cooperation), comprises of India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan. Buddhism originated in South Asia and then travelled and rooted itself in South East Asia, in the process nurturing common social, cultural and religious influences.

Speaking about the initiative, Sanjoy Roy, MD, Teamwork Arts said: "With increasing curiosity about Buddhist Heritage, especially among the young, it is time to look at its manifold aspects in today's context. Bodhi Parva, Festival will help understand the cultural influences and embrace relations among its member states".

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