The Multi-Lingual Scholarly Symposium on “Buddhist Commitment to Humanity”, coinciding with His Holiness the 14^th Dalai Lama’s 88^th birthday was held on the 6^th of July at the auditorium of the Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya.

The symposium was organized by the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, the Department of Sanskrit and Eastern Studies, and the Department of Philosophy of the University of Kelaniya in collaboration with the Foundation for Buddhist Brotherhood, Sri Lanka, and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) along with the support of the Faculty of Humanities and the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Utilizing the core principles of Tibetan and Theravada Buddhism to develop humanity, assuming an active role in environmental protection, fostering cultural cooperation, and studying the contribution of Buddhism to environmental protection were among the primary objectives of the event. Furthermore, the symposium focused on sub-themes of peace, environmental protection, and culture.

Anunayaka thero of Malwatta Chapter, Venerable Dr. Niyangoda Dharmakeerthi Sri Sangarakkitha Vijithasiri Thero, the Chancellor of the Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine participated as the Chief Guest of the event.

Professor Geshe Ngawang Samten – the Former Vice-Chancellor of the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, India delivered the keynote speech at this symposium.

Moreover, Dr. Damenda Porage – Chairman of the Foundation for Buddhist Brotherhood, Senior Professor Chandima Vijebandara, Senior Professor Uditha Gurusinghe, Professor Chaminda G. Gamage, and Dr. Anuradha Mahasinghe participated as distinguished guests while representatives of Buddhist organizations, and scholars from various fields also participated at the occasion.