GLOBAL CELEBRATIONS OF BUDDHIST TOURISM

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Alvin Hensley
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1 Proposed Ministry of Tourism Govt. of India International Conference - Expo - Cultural Display GLOBAL CELEBATIONS OF BUDDHIST TOUISM December 2018, India

2 About 488 million Buddhists worldwide represent 7% of the world's total population, making Buddhism the 4th largest religion in the world. Buddhism has e v o l v e d i n t o t h r e e m a j o r branches: Mahayana, Theravada and Vajrayana. Mahayana, the most widely accepted form, is concentrated in China, Japan, South Korea and Vietnam. Theravada Buddhism, the secondlargest branch, is concentrated in countries such as Thailand, Burma (Myanmar), Sri Lanka, Laos and Cambodia. Vajrayana, Buddhism, the smallest of the three major branches, is concentrated in Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and Mongolia. B u d d h i s m i s a l s o g a i n i n g momentum in the West, across America and Europe. It is one of the largest religions in the United S t a t e s. S o c i a l l y e n g a g e d Buddhism has developed in the U.S, which applies Buddhist values to larger social problems, including war and environmental concerns. India is one of the world's great reservoirs of history, cultures, philosophies and religions. Global interest to visit and experience these assets puts India amongst the most desired destinations for tourists and pilgrims. TOP TEN COUNTIES WITH HIGHEST % OF BUDDHIST POPULATION 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Thailand Cambodia Myanmar Bhutan Sri Lanka Tibet Laos Vietnam Japan Macau Source: Taiwan Thailand % Cambodia 90% Myanmar 88% Bhutan 75% Sri Lanka 70% Tibet 65% Laos 60% Vietnam- 55% Japan 50% Macau 45% Taiwan 43%

ASEAN Buddhism Scenario Currently, there is around 190-205 million Buddhists in Southeast Asia, making it the second largest

Thailand has the largest number of Buddhists with approximately 95% of its population of 67 million adhering to Buddhism,

Myanmar has around 59 million Buddhists, with 89% of its 66 million citizens practising Theravada Buddhism.

citizens. It has around 44 million Buddhists, around half its population.

Malaysia has about 20% of its citizens, mainly ethnic Chinese, with significant numbers of ethnic Thais, Khmers, Sinhalese and

Indonesia has around 4.75 million Buddhists (2% of its population), mainly amongst its Chinese population.

Philippines have around the 2% of the total population or around 2 millions.

Buddhism that is practised in the country.

population adhering to Buddhism, at around 65,000.

Temple BUDDHIST TOUISM - INDIA India's Buddhist heritage spans millennia across the entire subcontinent and large parts of

Laying host to Lord Buddha's journey, and the subsequent development of the social and moral precepts of Buddhist thought, the

3 ASEAN Buddhism Scenario Currently, there is around million Buddhists in Southeast Asia, making it the second largest religion in the region, after Islam. Thus, around 35 to 38% of the global Buddhist population resides in Southeast Asia. Thailand has the largest number of Buddhists with approximately 95% of its population of 67 million adhering to Buddhism, placing it at around million. Myanmar has around 59 million Buddhists, with 89% of its 66 million citizens practising Theravada Buddhism. Around 1% of the population, mainly the Chinese, practice Mahayana Buddhism alongside Taoism, but are strongly influenced by Theravada Buddhism. Vietnam may have a large number of Buddhists, but the Communist government under-reports the religious adherence of its citizens. It has around 44 million Buddhists, around half its population. 95% of Cambodia's population adheres to Theravada Buddhism, placing its Buddhist population at around 14 million. Malaysia has about 20% of its citizens, mainly ethnic Chinese, with significant numbers of ethnic Thais, Khmers, Sinhalese and migrant workers, practising Buddhism. Communist Laos has around 5 million Buddhists, who form roughly 70% of its population. Indonesia has around 4.75 million Buddhists (2% of its population), mainly amongst its Chinese population. Singapore have around 2 million Buddhists, forming around 33% of their populations respectively. Philippines have around the 2% of the total population or around 2 millions. All the important schools of Buddhism are well represented in Philippines although it is predominantly Mahayana School of Buddhism that is practised in the country. Brunei, which has the smallest population in Southeast Asia, has around 13% of its citizens and a significant migrant worker population adhering to Buddhism, at around 65,000. Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Thailand Kek Lok Si Temple Penang Malaysia Buddha Tooth elic Temple BUDDHIST TOUISM - INDIA India's Buddhist heritage spans millennia across the entire subcontinent and large parts of South and South East Asia. Laying host to Lord Buddha's journey, and the subsequent development of the social and moral precepts of Buddhist thought, the plethora of intangible as well as tangible Buddhist heritage has made the Buddhist Circuit one of the most popular tourist products that India has to offer. Tourism in India, especially Buddhist tourism has the potential to deliver socio-economic benefits in developing states, engender cross-cultural respect, inculcate pride and encourage conservation of natural and cultural resources. The Buddhist Circuit is a globally important route for over 488 million Buddhists across the world, especially in East and South East Asian regions, making it an important platform for strengthening bilateral and cultural ties. Tawang Monastery Arunachal Pradesh umtek Monastery Sikkim Bodh Gaya Bihar Sarnath Uttar Pradesh Namgyal Monastery Himachal Pradesh atnagiri Odisha Sanchi Stupa Madhya Pradesh Nagarunakonda Andhra Pradesh

INTENATIONAL BUDDHIST CONFEDEATION Collective Wisdom United Voice Concept

4 TAGET MAKET POFILES FO BUDDHIST TOUISM Ministry of External Affairs Government of India SEVICES EXPOT POMOTION COUNCIL SEVICES EXPOT POMOTION COUNCIL INTENATIONAL BUDDHIST CONFEDEATION Collective Wisdom United Voice Concept esearch Planning & Management by Mob: conference@icsi.asia

5 POINTS FO DELIBEATION India stand as to be superpower and spiritual leader in the world can be envisioned by taking into consideration small initiatives focusing cultural, spiritual wellbeing, technological and Communication,international participation and joint venture with neighboring countries making large impacts in years to come. Thereby, ICSI proposes the followings: I ntegrated Buddhist Tourism Circuit development, for tourist one of its kind between NE and ASEAN region and between India and Nepal,India and Srilanka Buddhist museum, Buddhist Tourist Park- Light of Asia to be develop in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar depicting the life of Buddha on the patterns of Virasatey Khalsa in Punjab Inter egional Association (India-ASEAN) to be made to promote culture and spiritual teaching between the Asian region (Thailand,India,Laos, Cambodia Myanmar to be made a part of Association) Student study exchange programs between India and ASEAN INDIA Pilgrims from ASEAN & World over India to give more scholarship to ASEAN students to study in India especially from Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia to improve the socio-economic and cultural conditions of the region. Buddha teachings to be added as an important part of Moral and Environmental studies. Establishing India as a Centre of Excellence for Buddhism Art and Culture in collaboration with ASEAN egion. evitalization of Nalanda University by joining hand with Asian Countries. Linking and Promoting Heritage through collabarative Engagements Formation of Centre of Buddhist Institute and Advance Studies in India in collaboration with Asian Countries. Annual International conference to boost inbound tourism to the Buddhist sites in India. Exclusive trade fair and Buddhist Tourism Event in India and abroad for the promotion of Buddhist Pilgrimage and Heritage Sites. Extensive Literature to be generated and published in the form of magazines, videos, journals newspaper on Buddhist tourism, formation of library for Buddhist literature. Establishing 'Cinematic Art Gallery'/Cinematic Souvenirs Gallery' at different places in the state. New Buddhist Tourist Itineraries and exclusive Brochure for promotion of Buddhist Tourism to Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India Organising FAM (Familiarisation Trips) in India and ASEAN region for travel writers, tour operators to see buddhist tour sites and there by developing Itineraries Initiate Caravan Services and establishing caravan Parks in the Buddhist Circuits for tourist services. ASEAN rd Nearly 1/3 of world's Buddhist population Provide Skills Training to educated unemployed youth for Hospitality and Tourism in the major Buddhist tourism destinations in India. ICSI recommends Ministry of Tourism to start E-Visa for Buddhist Tourism and special travel passes for Buddhist Tourists both Foreign and Domestic Tourist for traveling in India. Cruise Tourism to initiate between South Asia and South East Asia egion, giving economic benefits to both the region.

The main branches of Buddhism

The main branches of Buddhism Share Tweet Email Enlarge this image. Stele of the Buddha Maitreya, 687 C.E., China; Tang dynasty (618 906). Limestone. Courtesy of the Asian Art Museum, The Avery Brundage