A delegation of over 20 Buddhist scholars, former civil servants, and eminent citizens from Thailand arrived in Delhi yesterday as part of the 4th Mekong Ganga Dhammayatra, a pilgrimage aimed at strengthening the deep connection between the Mekong and Ganga civilisations.

Led by Dr. Supachai Viraphuchong, Secretary-General of the Bodhgaya Institute 980, the Dhamma Yatra, a pilgrimage, is a partnership between Thailand and India endorsing cooperation in all dimensions, including the public, private, and public sectors, to declare the Century of Dharma.

The aim of the Yatra is to promote the enduring message of the Dhamma globally for Conflict Avoidance and Environment Consciousness.

The event is being organised by BodhiGaya Vijjalaya 980, in collaboration with partner organisations from India and Thailand, such as Vivekananda International Foundation, India (VIF), International Centre for Cultural Studies, India (ICCS), International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi, Embassy of India in Thailand, State of Bihar, Thai Buddhist Temple in Bodhgaya, and Viraphuchong Foundation, Thailand.

Addressing a press conference, Dr Supachai, the head of the Thai delegation and BodhiGaya Vijjalaya 980, stated that his dream was to get all the countries along the Mekong River and the Ganga together as both the Buddhist and Hindu cultures were same.

The  4th Dhamma Yatra commemorates the 97th birth anniversary of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand and celebrates the vision of the ‘Asian Century with Dhamma Principles’ as envisioned by Prime Minister Modi in 2015.