“An Intellectual Pilgrimage to Buddhism”

On 12–14 August, the II International Buddhist Forum “Traditional Buddhism and Challenges of Modernity” was held in Ulan-Ude – a significant and important event for all countries of the Buddhist world. The following goals of the Forum were outlined: to update the understanding of Buddhist culture, philosophy and practice in the conditions of modern society; to strengthen international ties of Buddhists; to give new impetus to scientificeducational and cultural cooperation of Buddhist organizations of different countries. The scientific program of the Forum became a kind of “intellectual pilgrimage to Buddhism”. As part of the forum, the Institute of Mongolian, Buddhist and Tibetan Studies of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences organized an international scientific conference “Buddhism in a Changing World”. The purpose was to discuss current issues of studying, preserving and using Buddhist heritage in modern conditions, the interaction of science and Buddhism, the significance and role of Buddhism in the socio-political, economic, moral life of humanity, and in resolving problems, conflicts and contradictions of the modern world.

International Buddhist Forum, Buddhism in Russia, Buddhist studies