Welcome esteemed panelists.

Conflict avoidance has been the key theme of Hindu Buddhist Samvad conferences.

In history, we have seen conflicts arising out of various reasons: clash of ideologies, clash of cultures, historical animosities, territorial disputes, competition for scarce resources and the like. Intolerance towards alternate views and diversity, disregard for simple human values, and extreme forms of greed and egoism have been at the root of these conflicts.

The Ramayan and Mahabharata teach us how the deviation from the principles of Dharma leads to conflicts and wars. In Ramayana, Bhagwan Ram is the embodiment of Dharma while Ravana is the one who violated Dharma by kidnapping Rama’s wife. The Rama-Ravan war was the war to restore Dharmic values. In Mahabharat, the war took place when the Kauravas refused to follow the dharma by refusing to give them what was by right theirs.

The principles of Dhamma are a set of moral values and social norms that include non-violence, tolerance, and respect.

In Hinduism, Dharma denotes behaviours that are considered to be in accord with ‘Ṛeeti’—the "order and custom" that makes life and the universe possible. This includes duties, rights, laws, conduct, virtues and the "right way of living".

By upholding ethical conduct, duty and responsibility, selflessness and service, harmony and balance, spiritual growth, dialogue and understanding, we can help in avoiding conflict, promoting dialogue and understanding. These are essential ingredients for conflict avoidance and resolution in families, communities, nations and at the international level. Dharma is duty. By striking the right balance between rights and duties, by encouraging dialogue and understanding, one can strive towards a more peaceful and harmonious existence.

If we look around, we see wars that nature not ending and conflicts that are ever-expanding to new areas and domains. The UN Security Council, the principal mechanism to maintain international peace and security is dysfunctional. There is disturbing talk about nuclear deterrence having broken down and the possible use of nuclear weapons in war.

The rise of new technologies is leading to the emergence of new, more powerful, autonomous weapon systems.

The outer space is being increasingly militarized. The world is staring at an abyss if differences become disputes, and disputes degenerate into wars and wars do not come to an end.

The esteemed panelists are requested to share their views on the relevance of Dhamma or Dharma in the context of conflict avoidance and conflict resolution in the contemporary world. How can the principles of Dhamma be applied to save the world from catastrophe?

Thank you.