By Tsering Namgyal Khortsa
On the occasion of Ashadha Purnima or Dhamma Cakka Pavattana Divas, the minister of labour and employment of the Government of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Anil Rajbhar, described Buddha’s teachings as “our Sanskriti, ancient thought and knowledge that should be shared and spread for the betterment of mankind.” Speaking at the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, he said that “this was the strength of the Indian soil, Bhagwan Buddha lacked in nothing yet he abandoned all comforts and sacrificed to search for the ultimate truth that would benefit the society and eliminate suffering.”
He emphasized that the Buddha’s wisdom was India’s heritage, and on this auspicious day of Guru Purnima, it would be our greatest offering to Shakyamuni Buddha if we imbibe his teachings and share it widely.
The program was organised by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), an organization based in New Delhi in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India; Ministry of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh and the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath.
Presenting the Dhamma talk, Ven. Prof. (Dr.) Wangchuk Dorjee Negi, vice chancellor of the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (CIHTS), Sarnath explained the meaning of the word Dharma, and said that it can be symbolising to “absorb” or “hold.” He further said that “all phenomena hold their individual characteristics, we are able to distinguish these as water, wind, fire, tree, plants and these become their own uncommon characteristics.”
He went on to add that all phenomena, both mundane and supramundane, come under the general meaning of Dharma. It also means the Universal Law or the law of the Nature, which pervades all phenomena. Therefore, the Universal Law of nature is known as Dharma, and getting to know the Dharma requires cultivating the qualities of morality, concentration and wisdom, he said. Ven. Dorjee Negi concluded with the observation that all things are impermanent and follow dependent origination. He advised that we follow the Buddha’s teaching of the Middle Path.
The second Dhamma talk, “Significance of Ashadha Purnima,” was presented by Ven. Ananda Bhikkhu, general secretary of Mahabodhi Society, Bengaluru.
The secretary general of IBC, Shartse Khensur Rinpoche Jangchup Cheoden, highlighted the over 2500-years-old teaching of the Buddha that were still relevant in this world of wars, enmity and sorrow. Humanity will benefit from the valuable teachings of the Buddha, he said in his welcome address.
The highlight of the event was the launch by IBC of NORBU, an AI-supported “Neural Operator for Responsible Buddhist Understanding.” NORBU leverages artificial intelligence to engage with readers in real-time, answer questions, provide insightful teachings, and foster meaningful discussions about Buddhism. This pioneering project aims to enhance accessibility, offer personalized wisdom, and promote interactivity on Buddhist websites and apps, empowering Dhamma seekers to embark on their journey of enlightenment directly from their mobile screens.
Named “Kalyan Mitra” (Spiritual Friend) by the IBC, NORBU uses virtual technology to address inquiries on Buddha Dhamma across multiple languages. Launched by Mr. Lim Kooi Fong, a Buddhist from Malaysia and editor of Buddhist Channel, NORBU represents a significant advancement in digital Dharma solutions.
During the event, Ven. Khemanando, a Russian monk and technical trainer, shared insights into the development process and challenges encountered in creating this innovative Buddhist AI Bot. Designed to provide Dharma solutions and engage in debates on Buddhist philosophy, NORBU interacts in real-time, delivering teachings and facilitating meaningful discussions.
The profound wisdom of the Buddha and His effective communication methods have stood the test of time, offering valuable insights into the human experience. Incorporating the Buddha’s teaching methodologies into NORBU is instrumental in creating a meaningful and transformative user experience. By harnessing the power of the Buddha’s effective transmission styles, NORBU can impart the essence of Buddhism to its diverse audience.
The concept for this innovative technology took root in Mr. Lim’s mind during the first Global Buddhist Summit 2023, organized by IBC, with the goal of enhancing accessibility and personalizing wisdom for Dharma seekers worldwide. By integrating NORBU into various Buddhist websites and apps, the project empowers users to conveniently embark on their journey of enlightenment through their mobile devices.
Mr. Lim joined the event remotely from Malaysia, underscoring the global collaboration behind NORBU’s creation and deployment. NORBU will play a significant role among the younger generation, providing easily accessible Dhamma-related information and solutions on their mobile devices, replacing traditional textbooks with modern digital resources.
As desired by Mr. Lim, the AI app was launched at Sarnath – a location which symbolises the passing of the Buddha’s message to humanity. NORBU or Kalyan Mitra will pursue the task of passing on the message of the Buddha to people across the world by closing the language barrier.
At the event, a film was screened, titled – “Sacred journey of Holy Relics from India to Thailand.” There was also a cultural performance by Shivom Kathak group from Varanasi.
