The International Association of Theravada Buddhist Universities (IATBU) is an inclusive global network that unites people, knowledge and skills of every Higher Educational Institution with a specific mission to educate students to understand and practise the Buddha’s Dhamma as presented in the Pali Canon.
It provides a framework within which Theravāda Buddhist Universities can better understand each other’s policies and activities and be understood regionally and internationally, collaborate in administration, teaching, research and recognise each other’s qualifications.
To carry out the mission to support its member institutions and facilitate collaboration and cross-fertilisation among them, IATBU has committed to hold its international conference bi-annually so that all can benefit from the richness and variety of the multinational Theravāda tradition.
The Executive Committee gathered at the 4th International Conference of IATBU 2016 held in Indonesia, took a unanimous decision to hold its 5th Conference in 2018 under the leadership of the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, not only recognising it as the main Theravada Buddhist University in Sri Lanka but also one of the top Buddhist universities in Asia.
This is a remarkable opportunity for Sri Lanka, a predominantly Buddhist country and it clearly manifests the confidence the international Buddhist community has on Sri Lanka as a country where the great Theravāda heritage still prevails.
Plans are under way to hold the 5th International Conference of IATBU on November 27 and 28, 2018, at Hotel Galadari, and at the Buddhist and Pali University premises, where Pali, Buddhist Studies and Archaeology sessions will be conducted.
The overall theme of the conference is “Treasures of Theravada Buddhism.” Ven. Senior Prof. Gallelle Sumanasiri will chair the conference while Prof. Samantha Ilangakoon and Dr. Waruni Tennakoon will act as its joint-secretaries.
It is undoubtedly the scholarly significance displayed by the Most Ven. Vice Chancellor of the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, Senior Prof Gallelle Sumanasiri Thera at the last Conference held in Indonesia as well as his unwavering contribution to uplift Theravada Buddhism in higher education as a distinguished long term member in IATBU that earned this opportunity for the country as well as our university.
Also, the eternal support extended by the Sri Lankan Government to preserve and elevate the standards of Buddha Dhamma education in the Theravada tradition has been recognised by this reassuring gesture of the IATBU.
There cannot be a more fitting time or a place for a dialogue on the efficacy of Theravada Buddhism in the face of suffering of all sentient beings at the expense of ever escalating global issues, and we would take this as an opportunity to showcase the Buddhist legacy in Sri Lanka and authorise our country as the seat of pure Theravada Buddhism.