Udayagiri to Host Global Buddhist Summit on Guru Padmasambhava from Dec 28

The conference is expected to attract around 2,500 participants from nearly 20 countries, including Bhutan, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, China, Mongolia, and the United States.

The event aims to celebrate and explore the legacy of Guru Padmasambhava, widely revered as the “Second Buddha” in Buddhist traditions.

Organisers highlighted historical and archaeological research linking Padmasambhava to Odisha, particularly the ancient region of Sambal and the renowned Buddhist learning centre of Puspagiri University.

According to researchers, Padmasambhava travelled to Tibet in 749 AD, where he played a pivotal role in establishing Tantric Buddhism and founded the historic Samye Monastery.

The conference programme will feature seminars, academic discussions, Buddhist discourses, film screenings, cultural performances, and photo exhibitions showcasing Buddhist heritage and traditions.

Delegates attending the event will also visit prominent Buddhist heritage sites across Odisha, including Ratnagiri, Lalitagiri, Langudi, and Kaima.

Often referred to as Odisha’s famed “Diamond Triangle,” the Buddhist sites of Udayagiri, Ratnagiri, and Lalitagiri remain significant centres of archaeological and religious importance, attracting scholars and tourists alike.

A preparatory meeting for the international conference was recently held at Udayagiri, attended by public representatives and district officials, who reviewed arrangements for the large-scale event.

The conference is expected to strengthen global awareness of Odisha’s rich Buddhist heritage while fostering international academic and cultural exchanges centred on the teachings and historical contributions of Guru Padmasambhava.