The Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), the cultural arm of the High Commission of India, organised a panel discussion on ‘Pali as a Classical Language’ on October 23 at SVCC. Deputy High Commissioner of India, Dr. Satyanjal Pandey graced the event with Ranjith Ariyaratne, Secretary of the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, National Integration, Social Security, and Mass Media, Government of Sri Lanka as the Chief Guest. The event was organised in the context of Classical Language status granted to Pali by the Government of India.
The inaugural address was delivered by Ven. Kirinde Assaji Thera, Chief Incumbent of the Gangaramaya Temple, followed by a panel discussion on the topic. The panel included distinguished scholars, namely Prof. Anand Singh from the Central University of South Bihar, Bodhgaya (via video presentation), Ven. Prof. Miriswaththe Wimalagnana Thera from the Department of Buddhist Culture at the Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies, Ven. Prof. Gonadeniye Pannarathana Thera from the Department of Pali at the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, Ven. Dr. Deniyaye Pannaloka Buddharakkitha Thera from the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies at the University of Kelaniya, and Ven. Dr. M. Sugathasiri Thera from the Department of Buddhist Studies at the University of Colombo.
The speakers focused on the importance of the Pali language particularly in the impartation of the teachings of the Buddha. The Sri Lankan scholars commended the milestone decision by the Government of India to recognise Pali as a classical language and praised this initiative, highlighting it as a reflection of India’s deep commitment to preserving and propagating Buddhist heritage and culture. The panellists also pointed out that recognising Pali as a classical language by the Government of India will open up avenues for further collaborations for research in the language by the monastic and academic communities of India and Sri Lanka.
Several bhikkhus and scholars from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Nepal attended the event. Reinforcing the message of Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi at International Abhidhamma Divas on October 17, the discussions emphasised that granting Pali classical language status would help maintain the purity of Buddha’s message of peace, compassion and human welfare, ensuring its transmission through generations.