The second Prayer Ceremony for Guru Padmasambhava and the International Buddhist Conference was inaugurated today at the historic Udayagiri Buddhist site in Jajpur district, Odisha.
The six-day event (January 11–16) has drawn more than 1,700 Buddhist monks, scholars, and devotees from across India and several foreign countries.
Organised jointly by Light of Buddha Foundation, Odisha Tourism Department, Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture, and Jajpur district administration, the conference is being held under the chairmanship of Buddhist Guru Wangmo Dikse.
The inauguration featured a grand peace procession from the Udayagiri tourist reception centre to the prayer site, followed by addresses from dignitaries. Jajpur MP Rabindra Narayan Behera, the chief guest, emphasised that India’s future lies not in conflict but on the path shown by Lord Buddha. He highlighted Udayagiri’s historical significance as part of ancient Pushpagiri University, once a major centre of Buddhist learning that attracted scholars from abroad, and noted Guru Padmasambhava’s pivotal role in spreading Buddhist philosophy across India, Tibet, China, and South Asia.
Jajpur District Collector Ambar Kumar Kar assured full administrative support for participants and underlined the event’s importance in promoting Jajpur’s rich Buddhist heritage and tourism potential. Barchana MLA Amar Kumar Nayak praised the collaboration between Light of Buddha Foundation and the Odisha government, describing the conference as a landmark effort to revive the region’s ancient legacy.
Over the next six days, distinguished researchers, Buddhist teachers, and historians will participate in discussion sessions on Buddhist philosophy, heritage, and contemporary relevance. Attendees will also visit the famous Diamond Triangle of Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri, and Udayagiri – three interconnected ancient Buddhist sites renowned for their monasteries, stupas, and relics.
The conference is expected to strengthen global Buddhist ties while showcasing Odisha’s pivotal place in Buddhist history.
