CONFERENCE THEME

The conference is aimed at understanding the idea of Bharat through the Indian Knowledge Systems and also focus on how that idea is central to understanding the trajectory of the spiritual and social progress of the nation in the global context. The conference would focus on detailing the idea of India which is embedded in the discourse of dharma, the temple and pilgrimage tradition, philosophical and belief systems, ethics and values, the tradition of shastrartha, educational systems, ancient vision of ecology, aesthetics and arts, developments in astronomy and sciences and more.

India has an expansive tradition of scholarly inquiry and a well-documented heritage that goes back to several centuries. India was way advanced in knowledge, wisdom and practices in ancient times with the “world’s largest collection of manuscripts, its attested traditions of texts, thinkers and schools” (Kapil Kapoor) in varied realms of knowledge. The intellectual accomplishments of Indian ethos were reflected in many fields – metaphysics, art, polity, philosophy, creativity, economics, science and society. The central tenets and beliefs of these ethos are a part of social and cultural consciousness of the people in the Indian subcontinent and thus constitute a living tradition. This tradition is internalized as well as actualized through a whole range of scriptural, philosophical, scientific and artistic works ranging from the Vedas and the Upanishads to Sushruta Samhita and more. There are 18 major vidyas, theoretical disciplines, applied disciplines, crafts and 64 kalas in different knowledge domains. Most importantly, it is the ancient Indian philosophical discourse that probes and goes beyond “conventional categories of thought to the realm of speculation” (Pavan Verma, 62) with the ultimate aim to achieve moksha or salvation. At a time when most civilizations asserted that they alone have the monopoly of truth, the ancient Indian texts like Upanishads advocated that the one truth can have differing interpretations.

Indian knowledge systems had clearly defined and distinct concepts of dharma, spirituality, philosophy, polity, governance, ethics that are being deciphered and understood with inputs form archaeological, literary and epigraphy sources. The six schools of Hindu philosophy, Advaita, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Sankhya, Yoga and Purva Mimamsa, are united in their pursuit for the ultimate truth through jnana (knowledge), karma (action) and atmasamarpan (surrender). These discourses are the foundational tenets of spiritual, cultural and geographical unity of India contributing to the creation of a sacred geography embedded in the great Indian epics, countless pilgrimage traditions, legends and myths. In this context, the proposed International conference aims to initiate intellectual discussion and deliberations on the rich historical, cultural and philosophical heritage of ancient India and communicate to the participants the relevance of introducing this vast knowledge oeuvre in the present academic and institutional system. Such an academic endeavour adheres to the ancient and well-known tradition of Shastrartha; the dialogic tradition of open enquiry and debate to find truth.

The fundamental concept of dharma is central to understanding the cultural and spiritual unity of India. At the same time, the cultural integration of the subcontinent was centrally contributed by the Indus-Sarasvati civilization with the creation of a sacred geography constructed over the vibrant pilgrimage tradition of India. India, since ancient times, had distinct systems of ethics and values that survive and are also integrated in the institutional mission statements. Interestingly, ancient Indian society had deep ecological sense and laid great importance on living in harmony with nature. Vedic literature show deep level of knowledge and awareness around weather cycle, need for ecological balance and environmental protection. The world, in present times, is seriously deliberating on issues of environmental sustainability which have been part of the ancient Indian ethos for many millennia. The interface and relation between the individual and Prakrti are both ontologically oriented and have cosmological implications. All these knowledge systems have survived and thrived for thousands of years with many gurus and great sages like Adi Shankaracharya, Ramanuja, Swami Vivekananda, Swami Chinmayananda contributing to the civilizational legacy of the Indian philosophical and spiritual thought. The vast knowledge systems of India function as a living tradition that is resilient, continuous and is notable for its spillover into every aspect of life of the people of India.