The 12th International Jethian–Rajgir Dhamma Walk organised by Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India, Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Nalanda, ITCC, LBDFI and International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), New Delhi was successfully concluded on 13th December 2025. Around 1,500 Buddhist monks and Dhamma pilgrims from the United States of America, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and various states of India participated in this international Dhamma walk. The sacred pilgrimage commenced from the historic Jethian village in Gaya district and after covering a distance of nearly 15 kilometres along the Buddha Path, culminated at Veluvana in Rajgir.

The concluding ceremony held at Veluvana was graced by the esteemed presence of Shri Kundan Kumar, District Magistrate of Nalanda; Shri Nadeem Ahmad, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Government of India; Prof. Siddharth Singh, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of Nava Nalanda Mahavihara; and Ms. Wangmo Dixey, Executive Director of Light of Buddha Dharma Foundation International (LBDFI) and Members of IBC.

Expressing her views on the occasion, Ms. Wangmo Dixey, Chief Executive Director of LBDFI, conveyed her gratitude to Nava Nalanda Mahavihara. She stated that with the support of the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, it became possible this year for the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, to join as a principal partner of the ITCC. She also emphasized that Nava Nalanda Mahavihara is one of the most important institutions in the world in the field of Pali and Buddhist Studies.

In his address, Shri Nadeem Ahmad, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, remarked that this Dhamma Walk is not merely a physical discipline but a journey towards inner peace. He stated that the Buddha is not just a historical figure, but an eternal consciousness. Under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, India is being further strengthened as a global centre of Buddhist culture. He assured that efforts would be made to develop institutions like Nava Nalanda Mahavihara into multidisciplinary international centres by providing them with necessary facilities and resources.

Welcoming the international and national delegates, Shri Kundan Kumar, District Magistrate of Nalanda, said that along with the outward journey, one must also undertake an inner journey. He observed that in today’s times, human beings are becoming entangled in external attractions and forgetting the peace and solutions that lie within, leading to disruption in families and society. In such a context, the teachings of Lord Buddha become even more relevant. He stated that Rajgir is not merely a tourist destination but a continuous spiritual stream, where even the dust carries the presence of the Buddha. He also assured greater administrative support for future Dhamma walks.

Delivering the presidential address, Prof. Siddharth Singh, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, appreciated the purpose and continuity of the Dhamma Walk. He stated that international cooperation in such programmes serves as a source of inspiration and guidance. Briefly outlining the 75-year academic journey of Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, he noted that the institution has been consistently working on diverse dimensions of Buddhist studies and the Indian knowledge tradition. He referred to the preparation of the first Devanagari Tripiṭaka, the first Pali–Hindi dictionary, and the establishment of Bihar’s first Manuscript Cluster Centre, attributing these achievements to the blessings of Lord Buddha and the support of the Government of India. Expressing gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Union Minister of Culture, he stated that granting classical language status to Pali marks the beginning of a new era for Buddhist studies, and no land is more suitable for this than Bihar. He recalled that when the very concept of a university did not exist in the Western world, Nalanda was a leading global centre of knowledge, and even today Bihar remains the global hub of Buddhist studies. He appealed to the district administration for support in its revitalisation.

The IBC has been supporting this Yatra relentlessly over the years. Ever since the starting of the project IBC has remained a close partner in the walk. Prof. Panth, Director, IBC has previously contributed significantly towards planning and implementing the project.