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Context:

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) organized a conference in Colombo to celebrate the recognition of Pali as a classical language by the Indian government.

Details

The event witnessed the participation of Buddhist scholars and the monastic community from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.

The conference highlighted the importance of Pali in preserving the "Dhamma" and promoting Buddhist practices.

The Indian government recently granted classical language status to Marathi, Bengali, Assamese, Pali, and Prakrit.

About Pali language

Pali is mainly known as the language of the Buddhist Pali Canon (Tipiṭaka), which contains a vast collection of scriptures central to Theravāda Buddhism.

Pali continues to be studied and promoted, especially in Sri Lanka and several Southeast Asian nations, including Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia, these countries remain prominent centers for Pali learning, contributing significantly to the language's preservation and propagation.

Beyond academic study, Pali is chanted in rituals and ceremonies, maintaining its relevance in contemporary Buddhist practices, these ritual use helps keep the language alive and integral to the spiritual lives of many Buddhists.

About Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)

It is an autonomous body, under the Ministry of External Affairs.

It plays a significant role in enhancing India's cultural diplomacy and promoting international cultural exchanges.

It was established in April 1950, by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first Education Minister of independent India.

Objectives

Participate in the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes related to external cultural relations.

Promoting and strengthening cultural relations and mutual understanding between India and other countries.

Promote cultural exchanges with other countries and their citizens.

Activities

It organizes cultural festivals in India and abroad to promote Indian arts, traditions, and heritage.

It provides financial support to several cultural institutions throughout India.

It offers sponsorship and support to individual performers in various fields, including dance, music, photography, theater, and visual arts, promoting their talent on international platforms.

It provide different scholarship programs, and annually awarding about 3000+ scholarships under 21 different schemes to foreign students from approximately 180 countries.

It engages in cultural diplomacy through various initiatives, promoting awareness and appreciation of Indian culture globally.

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Source:

The Hindu

Wikipedia

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements in the context of the Pali Language:

1. It is a classical Middle Indo-Aryan language from the Indian subcontinent.

2. It is the language of the Tipiṭaka and Theravāda Buddhism.

3. The Indian government has recognized Pali as a classical language.

How many of the above statements are correct?

A) Only one

B) Only two

C) All three

D) None

Answer: C

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct:

Pali is classified as a Middle Indo-Aryan language, emerging from the earlier Old Indo-Aryan languages. It developed in the Indian subcontinent around the 5th century BCE.

Statement 2 is correct:

Pali is the language of Tipiṭaka and Theravāda Buddhism, tipiṭaka consists of three "baskets" (pitaka) of teachings; the Vinaya Pitaka (rules for monastic discipline), the Sutta Pitaka (discourses of the Buddha), and the Abhidhamma Pitaka (philosophical and doctrinal analysis).

Statement 3 is correct:

In October, 2024, the Indian government officially granted classical language status to Pali, alongside other languages like Marathi, Bengali, and Assamese.