As a follow up to Government of India officially conferring to Pali as a classical Indian language in October 2024, a delegation of 5-members from the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) visited relevant government departments, academic, media and monastic institutions in Myanmar for discussions and varied collaborations between 17 and 20 March 2025.

The recognition has brought a renewed focus on Pali Language as an academic discipline, encouraging students and scholars to further explore its literary and spiritual heritage. It also opens avenues for increased academic research, publications, and collaborations with institutions worldwide. The decision underscores a broader commitment to preserving ancient languages and cultural heritage, fostering a deeper appreciation for Pali language contributions to the global cultural landscape.

Buddhism has a strong base in Myanmar and monks from different Sanghas in Myanmar have been interacting with the IBC over a period of time. Moreover, in the last two years, IBC has been receiving invitations from different academic institutions in Myanmar for establishing relations with them for delving into Pali language for functional purposes and also research work.

The visit included two important meetings with Skynet Buddha Channel and with Myanmar Narrative. While the first is the largest running private media platform in Myanmar, the latter is a think tank run by people who have participated at IBC’s International Buddhist Media Conclave in September 2024. The meetings were held with great care and grandeur, which delved into a presentation by the organisations on their activities and objectives. IBC also put across their viewpoint in engaging with media activities and areas of collaboration. The discussion ended with signing of two Memorandums of Understanding.

The core agenda of the visit was meeting with Most Venerable Dr. Sitagu Sayadaw and signing MoUs with all the five centres of The Sitagu International Buddhist Academy (SIBA) as also the Shan State Buddhist University (SSBU), which is headed by Ven. Dr. K. Dhammsami, D.Phil (Oxford). A short programme was organised by Sitagu Sayadaw which included a Yangon campus tour of SIBA, followed by an interactive session between SIBA, SSBU and IBC delegation and finally a grand ceremony of signing MoUs on promotion and preservation of Pali Language through academic exchange, research, workshops, conferences and dhamma-related activities and encourage institutional cooperation.

Visits to the government universities – International Theravāda Buddhist Missionary University (ITBMU) and State Pariyatti Sāsana University (SPSU) – were also made to understand the nuances of monastic trainings and the possibility of collaborating with them to promote and preserve Pali language. Partnership with these bodies is slightly different as they are directly controlled by the government of Myanmar. Both universities, however, appeared keen to collaborate with the IBC, which may be followed up in coming months.

A special appointment was organised for the delegation to meet the Chairman of State Sangha Mahanayaka Committee (Sangharaja), His Eminence Candimabhibamsa. He was updated about IBC activities and informed about how meaningful the visit to Myanmar had been for the delegation. He not only blessed the delegation but mentioned how he was looking forward to participate in the forthcoming IBC events of importance in India and Myanmar. An executive committee member of IBC from Myanmar, Prof. Hnin Hnin Aye had liaised for this meeting and accompanied the delegation.

Later, a meeting was curated for the delegation to visit the Dhamma Joti Vipassana Centre to discuss the methodology in preserving and promoting the art of Vipassana. The meeting included members of Goenka ji’s family, trustees, management and teachers of the institution. Vipassana meditation originates from the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, which is rooted in the Pali Canon, the earliest Buddhist scriptures preserved in the Pali language. The current teachers in this tradition were appointed by the late Acharya S. N. Goenka, who was Indian by descent but was born and raised in Myanmar. Pali remains the sacred language of Vipassana teachings, connecting practitioners in both Myanmar and India to the original words of the Buddha, fostering a shared spiritual and linguistic heritage.

While Vipassana has been an ancient form of meditation that originated in India many thousands of years ago taught by the Buddha, its relevance remains more apt in today's time and age with complex contemporary challenges that all of us are dealing with on a daily basis across the world. This is a thought that the Honourable Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi reminded us last year in his address celebrating centenary birth year of Acharya S. N. Goenka. Quoting Guruji Goenka, Prime Minister Modi had emphasized on the concept of self-transformation which is imperative for self- realisation.