Mysuru: A two-day conference on ‘Young minds towards Buddha’ organised by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Research and Extension Centre, University of Mysore in association with 14th Tibetan College Students’ Conference, Bylakuppe was held at Vignana Bhavan in Manasagangothri here.

About 100 researchers took part in the conference featuring sessions and discussions on various topics connected to Buddha, meditation and cultural programmes that concluded today.

Inaugurating the programme, yesterday, University of Mysore Vice-Chancellor Dr. G. Hemantha Kumar disclosed that a Buddha Study Centre would be temporarily opened soon at the Ambedkar Research Centre and assured to have a separate Centre after some time. He hailed the rational and scientific thinking of Buddha. He observed that youth, who constitute 40 percent  our country’s population, should be effectively utilised.

Speaking on the occasion Mahabodhi Society, Bengaluru, General Secretary Ananda Bantheji opined that principles of Buddha were always good to lead a peaceful life. 

Recalling an incident that happened three years ago, he said that a young well-educated woman, who had thought of committing suicide, had come to the society and added that after learning the basic principles of Buddha, the young woman got transformed and continued to lead a happy normal life. 

He added that the society was offering a one year diploma course on Buddha Studies which was recognised by Sanskrit University.

Writer Ven Sonam Wangdem delivered the Keynote address. KSOU Vice-Chancellor Dr. S. Vidyashankar, Sri Buddha Prakash Banteji, Ambedkar Study Centre Director Dr. J. Somashekar, Tibetan College Students Conference President Ven Sonam Phuntsok and others were present.