Context: Vice President of India inaugurated the 12th General Assembly of the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace (ABCP) at New Delhi. The theme of 12th General Assembly is “The Buddhist Voice of Global South”. The 11th ABCP General Assembly was held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
About Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace (ABCP):
- Brief Background: The roots of founding of ABCP lay in the Cold War Politics of peace movements and consolidation of allies and building popular outreach among masses through various organizations.
- Founded in: 1970, as a voluntary movement of followers of Buddhism with both monastic (monks) and lay members that carries out its activities based on the noble teachings of Lord Buddha.
- Established by: Religious Buddhist leaders from India, Sri Lanka and Nepal.
- Members: North and South Korea, Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamshala, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Japan, Mongolia and Russia.
- Headquarter: Gandanthegchenling Monastery in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
- Regional centers: ABCP Japan Center, ABCP Lao National Center and ABCP Vietnam Center.
- Activities: It published a journal "Dharmaduta' and maintained close working relations with several organization such as Christian Peace Conference, Afro-Asian People's Solidarity Organization, the Russian Orthodox Church etc.
- Aims of ABCP: Striving to disseminate and implement the teaching of the Lord Buddha - the Enlightened One, on peace and harmony, compassion and loving kindness for all sentient beings.
- Bring together efforts of Buddhists in support of consolidating universal peace, harmony and cooperation among peoples of Asia,
- Furthering their economic and social advancement and promoting respect for justice and human dignity, and,
- Disseminating the Buddhist culture, tradition and heritage.
- Achievements: The United Nations granted the ABCP the status of an accredited Non-Governmental Organisation with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).