Buddhism cannot be confined to geographical limits: Himachal CM

“Buddha’s teachings have crossed the limit of time… But with these excavations,the university’s Department of Archaeology has scientifically and logically spread Buddha’s footsteps across the world. The seminar conducted at such a magnitude has given Buddhism its due importance,” he said.

On the Buddhist Gompas and monasteries found in Himachal Pradesh,Dhumal said,“We would certainly have more collaborative steps in this area between the two states.”

Gujarat Legislative Assembly Speaker Ashok Bhatt,who accompanied Dhumal,said: “It was in 1914 that a scholar in Buddhism from Vadodara was invited by the Mahabodhi Society in Kolkata. Today,almost a century later,the city is calling in scholars from across the world. This is a matter of pride for the state.”

Workshop on Indus Valley civilisation

At the end of the seminar,state Archaeology Department Director Y S Rawat announced to organise a three-day international workshop on Indus Valley civilisation in Gujarat.

Rawat said the workshop will be held in Kutch between January 27 and 31.

Interestingly,a collaboration was made between the Archaeology department and the Japanese delegates present at the seminar,and the latter committed to sponsor the workshop.

“This was initiated by a Japanese linguist,Toshiki Osada,who has been doing researches in this field. The Kyoto-based autonomous institution — Institute of Research in Humanity and Nature — will fund the workshop,” said Rawat.

He added: “Several collaborative excavations have been done in Gujarat on Indus Valley and all the researchers have given their own explanation. We want to analyse their studies in this workshop.”

Scholars from across the world are likely to attend the workshop.