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Schedule

PRBH International Conference 2025

* Schedule is subject to change*

9:00 hr to 13:00 hr IST

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR THE ACADEMY FOR PRESERVATION OF RURAL BUDDHIST HERITAGE
NOVEMBER 28, 2025 - NOVEMBER 30, 2025

13:00 hr to 14:00 hr IST

Lunch Break


14:00 hr to 16:00 hr IST

Session Format: Presentation followed by Q&A (20 + 10 min)
Session Theme: Special Address

Chairperson: TBC

Rapporteur: Ar. T. Lakshmipriya, School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi

Time Session Name Title
14.00 hr to 16.00 hr (IST) Session 1A - Special Address Dr B R Mani (Secretary General, Indian Archaeological Society and Former Director General, National Museum) Contextualizing Buddhist Heritage in South and South East Asia
14.00 hr to 16.00 hr (IST) Session 1A - Special Address Shri M P Bezbaruah (Former Secretary Tourism, Government of India) Bringing Rural Buddhist Heritage Sites into the Tourism Map of India
14.00 hr to 16.00 hr (IST) Session 1A - Special Address Dr Rima Hooja (President, ICOMOS India and Former Member, National Monuments Authority) Potential of Living Rural Buddhist Heritage Sites for changing the existing paradigm of Buddhist Studies
14.00 hr to 16.00 hr (IST) Session 1A - Special Address Monks from Tabo Monastery Ground realities of Conserving Living Heritage in Rural Areas

16:00 hr to 16:30 hr IST

Tea Break


16:30 hr to 18:00 hr IST

Session Format: Panel Discussion
Session Theme: "The Importance of Conservation of Buddhist Heritage: Global Perspectives”

Chairperson and Moderator: TBC

Rapporteur: Ar. T. Lakshmipriya, School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi

Time Session Name Title
16.30 hr to 18.00 hr (IST) Session 1B - Panelist TBC "The Importance of Conservation of Buddhist Heritage: Global Perspectives”
16.30 hr to 18.00 hr (IST) Session 1B - Panelist Dr Yadubir Singh Rawat, Director General, Archaeological Survey of India
16.30 hr to 18.00 hr (IST) Session 1B - Panelist Shri Abhijit Haldar Director General International Buddhist Confederation
16.30 hr to 18.00 hr (IST) Session 1B - Panelist Dr Montira Unakul, Former Culture Officer, UNESCO Asia Pacific
16.30 hr to 18.00 hr (IST) Session 1B - Panelist Dr Anura Manatunga, Former Director, Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka
16.30 hr to 18.00 hr (IST) Session 1B - Panelist Smt Wangmo Dixie, Director, Light of Buddha Dharma Foundation

10:00 hr to 11:45 hr IST

Session Format: Presentation followed by Q&A (20 + 10 min)
Session Theme: DEVELOPING KNOWLEDGE of Buddhist Architectural Culture and its Conservation: Defining tangible and intangible heritage and their interdependence for living heritage traditions
Chairperson: Dr Amareshwar Galla (Executive Director, International Institute for the Inclusive Museum and Former Chief Curator, Amaravathi Heritage Town, Andhra Pradesh)
Co-Chairperson: Ms Tara Sharma
Rapporteur: GBU (Shweta Anand)

Time Session Name Title
10.00 hr to 11.45 hr (IST) Session 2A-Presentation Dr Victoria Demenova, Dean of Department of Art history, Culture studies and Design Ural Federal University, Russia. Preservation of Buddhist heritage and art in the modern world: challenges and opportunities
10.00 hr to 11.45 hr (IST) Session 2A-Presentation TBC Living Buddhist Heritage Sites in Nepal – Participatory Conservation Approaches
10.00 hr to 11.45 hr (IST) Session 2A-Presentation TBC " Significant sites associated with Buddhism in Central India and Coastal India”
10.00 hr to 11.45 hr (IST) Session 2A-Presentation Dr Supitcha Sutthanonkul, SEAMO-SPAFA " Faith and Fame: Phra That Phanom’s Living Traditions and the World Heritage Quest.”

11:45 hr to 12:00 hr IST

Tea Break

12:00 hr to 13:15 hr IST

Session Format: Panel Discussion
Session Theme: Establishment of the Academy, Educational and Skill Development Focus, Curriculum Development, Pedagogy for the proposed Academy

Chairperson (Introductory Remarks): Dr Amareshwar Galla (Executive Director, International Institute for the Inclusive Museum and Former Chief Curator, Amaravathi Heritage Town, Andhra Pradesh)
Co-Chairperson and Moderator (and Closing Remarks): Ms Tara Sharma
Rapporteur: GBU (Shweta Anand)

Time Session Name Title
12.00 hr to 13.15 hr (IST) Session 2B - Panelist Dr Victoria Demenova, Dean of Department of Art history, Culture studies and Design Ural Federal University, Russia. Establishment of the Academy, Educational and Skill Development Focus, Curriculum Development, Pedagogy for the proposed Academy
12.00 hr to 13.15 hr (IST) Session 2B - Panelist TBC
12.00 hr to 13.15 hr (IST) Session 2B - Panelist TBC
12.00 hr to 13.15 hr (IST) Session 2B - Panelist Dr Supitcha Sutthanonkul, SEAMO-SPAFA
12.00 hr to 13.15 hr (IST) Session 2B Dr Maureen Liebl Vote of Thanks

14:15 hr to 15:45 hr IST

Session Format: Presentation followed by Q&A (20 + 10 min)
Session Theme: EXPLORING SYNERGIES between Contemporary communities and Buddhist Legacies . Sustainable Development, Pilgrimage, Tourism and its linkages – Indian and International experiences
Chairperson (Introductory Remarks): Shri Amitabh Kant (Former Chairman, NITI Aayog)
Co-Chairperson and Moderator (and Closing Remarks): Dr Prajapati Trivedi (Harvard University)
Rapporteur: INTACH (Nerupama Y. Modwel)

Time Session Name Title
14.15 hr to 15.45 hr (IST) Session 3A-Presentation Dr Anura Manatunga (Former Director, Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka) Intangible Heritage and Community Museums
14.15 hr to 15.45 hr (IST) Session 3A-Presentation Dr Rohit Jigyasu (Programme Director, International Centre for Conservation at Rome - ICCROM) International initiatives for conservation of Buddhist Heritage Sacred sites in Asia – Capacity Building and Training aspects
14.15 hr to 15.45 hr (IST) Session 3A-Presentation Dr Montira Horayangkura Unakul (Former Culture Officer, UNESCO, Asia-Pacific) " Skills and Competency Building for Heritage Management of Living Buddhist Sites and sacred landscapes”
14.15 hr to 15.45 hr (IST) Session 3A-Presentation Dr KK Mohammad, Former JDG, Archaeological Survey of India " Transmission of sacred knowledge systems and built heritage in India and East Asia”

15:45 hr to 16:15 hr IST

Tea Break

16:15 hr to 18:00 hr IST

Session Format: Panel Discussion
Session Theme: LEARNING FROM SOCIETIES engaged with the heritage of Buddhism: Indian and International experiences
Chairperson (Introductory Remarks): Dr Amareshwar Galla (Executive Director, International Institute for the Inclusive Museum and Former Chief Curator, Amaravathi Heritage Town, Andhra Pradesh)
Co-Chairperson and Moderator (and Closing Remarks): Dr Shweta Anand ( Dean, Gautam Buddha University)
Rapporteur: INTACH (Nerupama Y. Modwel)

Time Session Name Title
16.15 hr to 18.00 hr (IST) Session 3B - Panelist Dr Anura Manatunga (Former Director, Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka) LEARNING FROM SOCIETIES engaged with the heritage of Buddhism: Indian and International experiences
16.15 hr to 18.00 hr (IST) Session 3B - Panelist Dr Rohit Jigyasu (Programme Director, International Centre for Conservation at Rome - ICCROM)
16.15 hr to 18.00 hr (IST) Session 3B - Panelist Dr Montira Horayangkura Unakul (Former Culture Officer, UNESCO, Asia-Pacific)
16.15 hr to 18.00 hr (IST) Session 3B - Panelist Dr KK Mohammad, Former JDG, Archaeological Survey of India
16.15 hr to 18.00 hr (IST) Session 3B Smt Archana Capoor Vote of Thanks

19:00 hr IST

Theatreworld Presents Play Performance on 'The Life of Gautama Buddha' (Scripted & Directed by Lushin Dubey & Bubbles Sabharwal)
At Bhim Auditorium, Dr. Ambedkar International Center, New Delhi

Parallel Paper Presentation Sessions

Venue : Conference Room 3

09.30 hr - 11.00 hr (IST)

Theme 1: Developing Knowledge of Buddhist Architectural Culture and Conservation
Session Format: 10 min Presentation each + 15 min collective Q&A
Chairperson: Prof. T. Lakshmipriya, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi
Rapporteurs: Dimple Manchanda, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi

Time Session Name Title
09.30 hr - 09.45 hr (IST) 20 Ven Dr Sumedh Thero - P “Lesser Known Rural Buddhist Heritage of Central India”
09.45 hr - 10.00 hr (IST) 8 Vigneshwaran JR Renuka Wakharkar Sanjay Bhandari - P “Rise and Decline of Buddhism in Andhra Pradesh: An Architectural Perspective on Monastic and Religious Structures”
10.00 hr - 10.15 hr (IST) 7 Ven. Panadure Dumindalankara -O “Sri Lanka ’ s contribution to identifying and conserving India ’ s historical buddhist heritages”
10.15 hr - 10.30 hr (IST) 38 Ms. Jyoti M. Pakhare -O "Phanigiri Unveiled: Buddhist Echoes from Stones, Scripts and Trade Paths
10.30 hr - 10.45 hr (IST) 2 Durgaprasad Bandi -O “Buddhism in Rural regions of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu & Maharashtra”
10.45 hr - 11.00 hr (IST) 11 All presenters of Session 1A Collective Q&A Session

11.00 hr - 11.15 hr (IST)

Tea Break

11.15 hr - 13.00 hr (IST)

Theme 2: Learning from Societies engaged with the heritage of Buddhism
Session Format: 10 min Presentation each + 15 min collective Q&A
Chairperson: Prof Chetna Singh, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi
Rapporteurs: Shrushtee Khanderao, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi

Time Session Name Title
11.15 hr - 11.30 hr (IST) 28 K Brop -P "Intangible Scaffolding: The Indispensable Role of Traditional Craftsmanship in the Authentic Conservation of Buddhist Architecture"
11.30 hr - 11.45 hr (IST) 26 Khentse Gyatso -P “Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Philosophical Heritage of Determining the Principle to be Refuted”
11.45 hr - 12.00 hr (IST) 9 Siddharth Kumar-P “Heritage Conservation vs. Ritual Practice: The Oil Lamp Controversy at the Mahabodhi Temple”
12.00 hr - 12.15 hr (IST) Dao Khai Minh (Venerable Thich Ngo Tri Vien) - P “Empowering Rural Communities in India to Preserve Buddhist Doctrinal Heritage: A Global Perspective”
12.15 hr - 12.30 hr (IST) 25 Arunima Shankar
Amulya Kondala Afreen Fathima -O		 “Probing Indigenous Knowledge of Water Systems in Buddhist Sites in Telangana”
12.30 hr - 12.45 hr (IST) 13 Dr. Sutapa Joti, Ar. Alokananda Roy -O “Historical Buddhist monasteries in Sikkim built using traditional knowledge systems with tangible and intangible aspects”
12.45 hr - 13.00 hr (IST) All presentors of Session 1B Collective Q&A Session

13.00 hr - 14.00 hr (IST)

LUNCH

14.00 hr - 15.45 hr (IST)

Theme 3: Exploring Synergies Between Contemporary Communities and Buddhist Legacies
Session Format: 10 min Presentation each + 15 min collective Q&A
Chairperson: Prof Vinita Yadav, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi
Rapporteurs: Sujitha Mythraye, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi

Time Session Name Title
14.00 hr - 14.15 hr (IST) 15 Er. Bijay Veer Singh- P “Buddhist Heritage of Braj mandal (UP, MP, Rajasthan and Haryana) India”
14.15 hr - 14.30 hr (IST) 14 Er Chander Sain Baudh- P “Buddhist Heritage of Delhi adjoing to and Western Uttar Pradesh”
14.30 hr - 14.45 hr (IST) 6 Sunil Kamble -P "Do we preserve the Budha's Inheritance? An Analysis"
14.45 hr - 15.00 hr (IST) 35 Venerable Thich Hien Nguyen -P “Interweaving Contemporary Communities and Buddhist Heritage in India Sustainability, Pilgrimage, Tourism, and their Interconnections”
15.00 hr - 15.15 hr (IST) 31 Ar Madhu Vottery
V. Vamshidhar - O		 “Rural Buddhist Sites of Telangana: Opportunities for Cultural Tourism and Heritage Education”
15.15 hr -15.30 hr (IST) Le Linh - O “ Synergies between contemporary communities and Buddhist legacies”
15.30 hr - 15.45 hr (IST) All presenters of Session 2A Collective Q&A Session

15.45 hr - 16.00 hr (IST)

Tea Break

16.00 hr - 18.00 hr (IST)

Theme 4: Translating Consciousness into Action for Rural Societies
Session Format: 10 min Presentation each + 15 min collective Q&A
Chairperson: Gautam Budh University
Rapporteurs: Abinaya Ravichandran, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi

Time Session Name Title
16.00 hr - 16.15 hr (IST) 32 Ar Rahul Bhola-P “Materiality, Techniques, and Iconography in the Buddhist Architectural Heritage of Shey Palace, Ladakh: Insights from Traditional Building and Modern 3D Mapping”
16.15 hr - 16.30 hr (IST) 16 Ar. Deepika Shukla-P “Adaptive planning for rural Buddhist heritage: Lessons for sustainable community development”
16.30 hr - 16.45 hr (IST) 1 Dilanjana M. Pathirana & Bhagya M. Wijesinghe-P “Pant ē ru Dance as a Vehicle of Buddhist Knowledge Transmission: An Anthropological Exploration of Performance and Rural Heritage in Sri Lanka”
16.45 hr - 17.00 hr (IST) 10 Prof. Dr. Premraj Khankhane and Mr. Doma Rao Khatarkar -P “Preserving Rural Buddhist Heritage and Revitalizing Mindfulness Practices for Skills and Confidence Building of People for Heritage Management in Madhya Pradesh”
17.00 hr - 17.15hr (IST) 22 Dr Vivek Kumar Morya and Styaendra Tripathi -O “Revitalizing India's Rural Buddhist Heritage: Strategic Lessons from South Korea's Conservation and Sustainable Development Models”
17.15 hr - 17.30 hr (IST) 27 Vo Thi Kim Nhi -P "Anicca in Architecture: Reconciling Buddhist Philosophy with Heritage Conservation Principles in Rural Southeast Asia"
17.30 hr - 17.45 hr (IST) 10 All presenters of Session 2B Collective Q&A Session

10:00 hr to 11:30 hr IST

Session Format: Presentation followed by Q&A (20 + 10 min)
Session Theme: TRANSLATING CONSCIOUSNESS INTO ACTION for the benefit of societies in Rural Areas. Funding, Partnerships & Sustainability
Chairperson: Dr K K Basa (Former Chairperson, National Monuments Authority)
Co-Chairperson: Smt Nupur Prothi Khanna (Member Board, ICOMOS International)
Rapporteur: Dr. Parul Munjal (Former Director, IHA)

Time Session Name Title
10.00 hr to 11.30 hr (IST) Session 4A-Presentation Dr Sarah Kenderdine, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne: Lausanne, CH Interactive and immersive experiences at Nagarjunkonda
10.00 hr to 11.30 hr (IST) Session 4A-Presentation Dr Sujeong Lee, Cultural Heritage Administration, South Korea Interpretation of Buddhist Heritage as a People-Centred Meaning-Making Process: Its Concept and Methodology
10.00 hr to 11.30 hr (IST) Session 4A-Presentation TBC " Translating Consciousness of Buddhist Heritage into Action for its Conservation”
10.00 hr to 11.30 hr (IST) Session 4A-Presentation Dr Chintala, Venkata Sivasai (Director, International Affairs, GBU Academic Perspective on Consciousness for Rural Development

11:30 hr to 11:45 hr IST

Tea Break

11:45 hr to 13:15 hr IST

Session Format: Panel Discussion
Session Theme: Innovation in education for heritage management to address development challenges in rural areas with a Buddhist legacy
Chairperson (Introductory Remarks): Dr R Panth (Director, International Buddhist Confederation)
Co-Chairperson and Moderator (and Closing Remarks): Dr Rima Hooja (President, ICOMOS India and Former Member, National Monuments Authority)
Rapporteur: Dr. Parul Munjal (Former Director, IHA)

Time Session Name Title
11.45 hr to 13.15 hr (IST) Session 4B - Panelist Dr Kailash Rao (Director, SPA, Bhopal) Innovation in education for heritage management to address development challenges in rural areas with a Buddhist legacy
11.45 hr to 13.15 hr (IST) Session 4B - Panelist Shri Ravindra Singh (Former Secretary, Culture, GoI), INTACH)
11.45 hr to 13.15 hr (IST) Session 4B - Panelist Dr Navin Piplani (Director, Sushant School of Art and Architecture)
11.45 hr to 13.15 hr (IST) Session 4B - Panelist Dr Arun Kapur (Founder, Vasant Valley School)
11.45 hr to 13.15 hr (IST) Session 4B - Panelist Ar. Shiban Ganju
11.45 hr to 13.15 hr (IST) Session 4B - Panelist Prof Dr Meenakshi Dhote (Dean Academics, SPA, Delhi)
12.00 hr to 13.15 hr (IST) Session 2B Shri Yogendra Narain (Treasurer, ITRHD) Vote of Thanks

13:15 hr to 14:15 hr IST

Lunch Break

14:15 hr to 17:00 hr IST

Session Format: DIGNITARIES & DETAILS BEING FINALISED

17:15 hr IST

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Words of Wisdom

Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi

Father of Nation
Just as the universe is contained in the self, so is India contained in the villages.

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