Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh) [India], April 22 (ANI): Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Chowna Mein at the international conclave on Buddha Dhamma and the Culture of North- East India on Monday said that rooted in centuries old Buddhist culture and traditions, Namsai, a district in the extreme end of Arunachal Pradesh is a unique example of how an ancient way of life is still being practised here.

Making a strong case for initiating a Buddhist tourism circuit in the state, he said 'our culture is deeply rooted in socio-religious festivals, we recently concluded the Songpa Water Festival, a Buddhist festival celebrated by the Khamti community in Arunachal Pradesh, specifically in Namsai and other areas like Changlang and Itanagar, where visitors from overseas were invited to participate. It was a grand success.'

He added that there were several important ancient pilgrimage sites associated with Buddhism in the state too.

In fact, his tribe, the Tai Khamtis were the first, according to him, to wage the first war of independence against the British in 1839. He mentioned that 'We defeated the British in the Anglo-Khamti war, and as a result of this subsequently, the British burnt down our villages and scattered our tribe in several areas of North East.'

According to Mein, they have preserved the Pali language through their Khamti script. In fact, there are just two ancient scripts in the State: theirs (the Lic Tai) and the Bhoti. Even the Ramayan and Mahabharat are written in the Khamti script (Lic Tai).

The Deputy Chief Minister also explained the enormous 'good work' the Mahabodhi Society was undertaking in the region and he was hoping the region would get a skill development centre for empowerment of the youth of the region.

He was speaking at the 2-day International Conclave organized by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and supported by the government of Arunachal Pradesh and the Mahabodhi Society of Namsai. There were over 300 participants including heads of Sanghas, Bhikkus and Bhikkhunis, eminent members of the society, political representatives, professors, academicians from the Northeast and other regions attending the event . Representatives from Bhutan, Myanmar, Cambodia participated in the seminar sessions, while the Consul General of Bhutan in Guwahati Mr Jigme Thinly Namgyal, addressed the congregation in the inaugural session.

Emphasizing the 'our dharma is our culture; which is our way of life,' Mr Zingnu Namchoom, MLA Namsai explained that even in our weddings the Buddha's teachings are given on how to lead our married life in society. Buddhism is in our blood stream, he noted.

The dhamma address was presented by Most Ven Aggadhamma Bhaddanta, Chief Abbot of the Pariyatti Sasana Buddha Vihara, Namsai.

The Secretary General of IBC Shartse Khensur Jangchup Choeden Rinpoche welcomed the guest and the Director General of IBC Mr Abhijit Halder, explained the details of the event and presented the concluding remarks.

The sessions will include discussions on the following topics: Historical relevance of Buddha Dhamma in the North-East of India, Art, Culture & Heritage of Buddhist Communities and a special Session on the Cultural Impact on Buddhists in the region.

Special prayers and chanting will be held tomorrow at the Golden Pagoda for the victims of the recent earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. This will be followed by a session on Vipassana. (ANI)