The 8th International Dharma-Dhamma Conference to discuss cosmology in Hindu and Buddhist traditions was organized by the India Foundation and Gujarat University. The Conference, held at Gujarat University in Ahmedabad, brought together over 800 religious, political, and intellectual luminaries and leaders from over 18 countries.
On 23 August, Brahmaviharidas Swami represented BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha during the Keynote Session. Among the panelists was Swami Shri Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj, treasurer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya, who said, "What is most needed today is to promote Dharma and Dhamma with strength and systematic efforts. This is crucial for our ailing world. Especially during these challenging times, conferences like this are essential."
Then, Brahmaviharidas Swami addressed the conference, “In the Dharma-Dhamma traditions there is a point where both science and spirituality stop competing and start completing each other. We can create a great world but without creating a wise world, it is meaningless.”
He then summarized the conference theme through four valuable insights:
“First, the study of cosmology makes us feel ‘smaller than small’. From the vastness of space, earth is just a pale blue dot, barely visible from the furthest reaches of the galaxy. This perspective generates humility in our world, which leads to less arrogance and more acceptance.
“Second, cosmology also makes us feel ‘bigger than big’. We are composed of the same elements – carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen – as the stars, creating a deep connection with the cosmos. As the Shvetashvatara Upanishad states, ‘Amritasya putraha vayam’, meaning, ‘We are the children of the gods.’ This can be interpreted as ‘we are the children of the stars.’ This interconnectedness lessens our sense of loneliness and makes us more fearless.
“Third, the recognition that we are interdependent on everything – from the sun, moon, and stars, to the microscopic planktons and chlorophyll – for our existence creates a greater sense of compassion for nature and natural forces.
“Fourth, this conference is an opportunity to rediscover our past and deep-discover our future. After the digital and virtual revolutions, and now the AI revolution, perhaps the next big thing could be astral communication and astral travel – mind to mind, and mind to moon communication. May this conference become a platform to catapult us into a more advanced world, hidden in our scriptures and spiritual science.”
Earlier, distinguished national and state leaders graced the Inaugural Session of the conference.
Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, Honorable Vice President of India, said, “The concepts of Dharma and Dhamma have provided a much-needed unifying thread that binds us to a shared heritage of wisdom, compassion, and righteousness.
Shri Bhupendra Patel, Honorable Chief Minister of Gujarat, emphasized the crucial role of the conference in marking Bharat as a uniting global leader, following the ancient teachings of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – One World, One Family’. Shri Acharya Devvrat, Honorable Governor of Gujarat, said, “The messages of love and brotherhood conveyed by Mahatma Buddha and our ancient texts are reaching across the globe. Today, they serve towards peace and unity for the entire world and will do so for generations to come.”