Kolkata, Feb 19 (IANS) Buddhism is increasingly being associated with violence and now emerging as a sensitive issue between India and China, a Buddhist studies expert has said.
"Buddhism is becoming a sensitive issue between India and China."
"There is a kind of fashion nowadays to show Buddhism is also related to violence," Claudio Cicuzza, faculty member and research advisor, School of Arts and Sciences, Webster University (Thailand Campus) told IANS here Wednesday.
Cicuzza, who has several books on Buddhism to his credit, pointed fingers at a section of scholars who tend to bring out the violence aspect.
"There are a lot of scholars, especially Western scholars who are giving a big stress on this. I don't accept this, " he said, referring to the attack on Muslims in Malaysia by Buddhist monks.
The expert was in the city as part of a delegation from the varsity to ink a deal with Calcutta University on collaborations related to Buddhist studies, south east Asian studies and foreign policy and international relations.
According to Cicuzza, Buddhism has a crucial role to play in linking Asian nations.
"Asia was the invention of the Western people but Buddhism made Asia... it was the real glue between India and other nations. It is important to reconnect and West Bengal has a big role to play in this," he stressed.
Concurring, Manikuntala Haldar from Calcutta University's Department of Pali, said the religion assumes significance in the area of human rights as well.
"The philosophy associated with Buddhism is relevant today and particularly in co-operation among nations in Asia from a human rights perspective too," Haldar told IANS.
Pakistan Army not getting hawk even after ceasefire agreement, LOC is engaged in this tactic
Although peace has prevailed since the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan on the LoC, the Pakistani army is not deterring its antics. Under the guise of peace, the Pakistani army is
Russia fires a hypersonic missile at Ukraine, what is the message to the world?
Russia's Defense Ministry has announced that the Russian military has fired a hypersonic ballistic missile into western Ukraine, destroying Ukraine's large underground weapons depot.
Maharashtra: Uddhav resigns from the post of CM without facing the House, Fadnavis can claim to form government today
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, who was reduced to a minority by the rebellion of Shiv Sena MLAs, resigned on Wednesday night. Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari had instructed Thackeray late
Risk of 56 diseases from cigarettes, research on Chinese: 1 million deaths annually due to smoking there; men more at risk
40% of the world's smokers live in China. According to recent research published in the Lancet Journal, they have a higher risk of 56 diseases than non-smokers. This includes many types of cancer to
Rahul Gandhi Defamation Case: Rahul Gandhi gets bail in 2018 defamation case, Congress leader leaves Sultanpur court
Former Congress national president and MP Rahul Gandhi has got bail in the defamation case. MP Rahul Gandhi appeared in the court on Tuesday in the ongoing case here on charges of making indecent
Stray Dogs: On the issue of stray dogs, the Supreme Court asked - How can one tell if a dog is in the mood to bite or not?
During the hearing on a petition related to stray dogs on Wednesday, the Supreme Court made a significant observation regarding a statement by a lawyer. The Supreme Court commented on an argument made
Weather Update today: Will it rain again or will there be a relief? Yellow alert in 9 states, read - latest update of IMD
Monsoon is approaching, but still, many days are left for it to be completely gone. The Meteorological Department has issued an alert of heavy rain in many states till September 30. At the same time,
Weather Report: Delhi-NCR may get relief from heat tomorrow, know how the weather will be in other states
After the rains in the past, the heat wave continues again in the entire Uttar Pradesh including the capital Delhi-NCR. People are troubled by the early morning sun and it. Meanwhile, the Indian
Weather Update Today: There will be heavy rain in these states including MP, UP today, IMD issued a warning
Heavy rains have caused flood situations in many states of the country. Life has become hectic. Incessant rain in Madhya Pradesh has increased the problems of the people. The Meteorological Department
Stampede in Khatushyam, death of 3 women: People were in line since night for darshan, a stampede broke out as soon as the doors opened on Ekadashi
A stampede broke out at Khatushyam temple in Sikar, Rajasthan on Monday morning. 3 women died in the accident. 4 people have been injured.
