The 21st Biennial Conference of the International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB), organized and hosted by the socially engaged Buddhist non-profit Foundation of His Sacred Majesty (FHSM) in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, concluded on Tuesday with a shared pledge to honor the values of compassion, social equity, and inclusive social engagement. The gathering of 250 participants from 18 countries, running from 22 November–3 December in the city of Chennai, was held under the theme “Buddhist Heritage: Toward Inclusive Societies.”

INEB is a global network of individuals and organizations who are committed to promoting and working toward building compassionate societies, environmental sustainability, and world peace. INEB emphasizes the importance of developing an ethical, Dharma-based approach to its work, and encourages its members to work collaboratively and respectfully with individuals and organizations based on a foundation of shared values and aspirations. 

“It’s such an honor to organize the 21st Biennial Conference of INEB,” FHSM founder and president and INEB board member Rev. Gautama Prabhu told the international gathering of scholars, activists, monastics, community leaders, teachers, and practitioners who had gathered in Chennai for the colloquium. “When the conference theme was conceptualized, we emphasized the importance of heritage and how our Buddhist heritage plays a significant role in addressing the issue of inclusiveness. This biennial conference is certainly epoch-making in the history of South India, particularly Tamil Nadu.

“We have great masters and leaders here with us. I’d like to offer special thanks to [the revered Korean Dharma master, social activist, and patron to INEB] Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, as well as my elder brother Harsha Navaratne, the chairperson of INEB. Their presence is more than satisfying for me because what we call in Buddhism abhayadana, the dana of fearlessness, is one of the greatest  gifts that gives us immense courage to move forward. . . . I would like to emphasize that this conference is not about unity in diversity, but about diversity in unity.” 

The Foundation of His Sacred Majesty (FHSM)—named in commemoration of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka (r. c. 268–c. 232 BCE), a key figure in the propagation of Buddhism across Asia—is guided by the principles of socially engaged Buddhism, with a focus on empowering deprived and marginalized communities. The foundation’s work is based on four broad propositions: social transformation through strengthening grassroots democracy and good governance; sustainable livelihoods, education, and social empowerment; promoting alternative healthcare systems; and protecting and conserving ecosystems.

The program lineup for the conference was as diverse as its participants, commencing with a five-day hands-on workshop at the Sukhavati Eco-temple in Auroville, an experimental township in Tamil Nadu. The sacred site is being constructed using environmentally friendly and sustainable materials and techniques, and is a focal point for a range of social initiatives in the surrounding community.

The conference proper continued with a series of parallel workshops on engaged Buddhist on the themes: Archaeological Justice and Community Participation; Marginalized Communities on Gender, Social Justice and Inclusiveness; Eco-Temple and Sustainability; and Youth Empowerment.

Because of the sudden landfall of Cyclone Fengal, which brought a deluge of heavy rains and strong winds, planned archaeological site visits to the Mahabalipuram UNESCO World Heritage Site and Kanchipuram heritage city were abandoned in favor of a visit to the Indian Government Museum in Chennai—the second oldest museum in India and home to a valuable collection of Buddhist and Hindu artifacts.

The event concluded with a public symposium, featuring keynote speeches by senior INEB members, and a two-day meeting of INEB’s Advisory and Executive Committees to review the fruits of the conference and to chart a forward course for socially engaged activities and projects.

Addressing the participants in his keynote speech at the conference symposium, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim observed: “Today, I would like to speak to you about the Buddhist heritage that was passed down to me here in India. First, as a Buddhist, I inherited the legacy of the Buddha’s teaching here in India. Second, as a Mahayana Buddhist, I inherited the legacy of [the monk and philosopher] Nagarjuna, who was born here in South India and systematized Mahayana Buddhism. Third, Bodhidharma, who originated from South India, is the founder of Zen Buddhism. As a Zen Buddhist, I inherited the legacy of Bodhidharma’s teachings. I am who I am today, and I was able to visit Chennai, because I inherited these three legacies. I thank the INEB officials for inviting me.”

The inclusive gathering of engaged Buddhists from across India and the world was ambitious in scope and profound in the depth of its exploration of a multitude of interconnected themes and concerns central to the practice of socially engaged buddhism. Key issues examined and explored included: the promotion of peace and social harmony; Buddhist heritage and culture since antiquity; grassroots support for environmental sustainability, gender equality, children’s well-being, and social justice; spiritual development and practice; strengthening networks and relationships within the global Buddhist community; and encouraging young people to explore and engage with Buddhist teachings and practices.

INEB executive board member for the Malaysia Network of Engaged Buddhists, K. V. Soon Vidyananda offered this closing thought: “Buddhist heritage is an expression of the timeless wisdom of the Dharma put into practice. And that is why we are here. It reminds us that true inclusivity is not about building structures. It is about the transformation of hearts and minds. It is about cultivating compassion that knows no boundaries, and justice that serves all beings.”

The 21st INEB conference also bore witness to several significant landmarks: 

• The first international Buddhist conference to be held in the state of Tamil Nadu, providing a unique opportunity to showcase the depth of the region’s Buddhist history, heritage, and contributions of South India to Buddhist culture; 

• The first dialogue among Tamil Buddhists of India and Indonesia, and Sinhalese Buddhists in Sri Lanka;

• The inauguration of the South Indian Buddhist Council, a fellowship of socially engaged Buddhist organizations;

• The colloquium also coincides with and commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Constitution of India, which was drafted by a commitee chaired by the Buddhist reformer and social activist Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.

INEB was formed in 1989 by Prof. Sulak Sivaraksa and a group of Buddhist leaders and scholars seeking to apply the Buddhist teachings and principles to contemporary social and political issues. Through its global network, INEB works to promote understanding, cooperation, and connection among inter-Buddhist and inter-religious groups, and to actively address urgent global issues such as human rights, conflict resolution, and environmental crises. 

Headquartered in Bangkok, INEB has established a wide range of social projects and outreach programs aimed at overcoming suffering and empowering vulnerable communities through the practice of the Dharma and social engagement, such as education and training programs, community development projects, advocacy and lobbying efforts, and interfaith dialogue. The network also advocates the importance of environmental sustainability and the responsible use of natural resources, and has promoted sustainable development practices in various communities.

BDG is the official media partner for the 21st INEB Biennial International Conference. Our continued coverage over coming weeks will include a series of in-depth feature articles drawn from conference participants and their work as engaged Buddhists.

See more

International Network of Engaged Buddhists
INEB – International Network of Engaged Buddhists (Facebook)
Foundation of His Sacred Majesty (Facebook)
Foundation of His Sacred Majesty India (YouTube)
Foundation of His Sacred Majesty (LinkedIn)

Related news reports from BDG

Engaged Buddhism Special Report: Jungto Society Hosts INEB Study Tour in South Korea for Female Monastics and Social Activists
Engaged Buddhism: INEB’s SENS Transformative Learning Program Accepting Applications for 2025 Intake
Engaged Buddhism: INEB Nurtures Youth Leaders with Young Bodhisattva Program in Taiwan
Engaged Buddhism: INEB to Hold 21st Biennial Conference “Buddhist Heritage: Toward Inclusive Societies” in Chennai
Engaged Buddhism: INEB Hosts Landmark Interfaith Gathering in Bangkok for Gender Equality and Social Justice
Engaged Buddhism: 20th Biennial INEB Conference Commences in South Korea
INEB Celebrates the 90th Birthday of Exemplar of Engaged Buddhism Sulak Sivaraksa

Engaged Buddhism: Buddhist Non-profit FHSM Refurbishes Rural School for the Underprivileged in India
Engaged Buddhism: Buddhist Non-profit FHSM Launches Humanitarian Relief Effort after Cyclone Michaung Batters Southeastern India
Engaged Buddhism: Buddhist Non-profit FHSM Supports Underprivileged Children Affected by Eye Cancer
Engaged Buddhism: Buddhist Non-profit FHSM Extends Free Eye Clinics for Underprivileged Communities in India