Itanagar: The foundation stone for an International Meditation Centre and Monastery was laid at Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad) in Maharashtra on Sunday, marking a step towards positioning India as a global hub for Buddhist learning, spiritual practice and cultural exchange.Arunachal Pradesh deputy CM Chowna Mein, who attended the ceremony, described the initiative as a milestone for the global Buddhist community. He highlighted Arunachal Pradesh’s unique cultural landscape, where Mahayana and Theravada traditions coexist alongside rich indigenous belief systems, an official report said.Mein said such institutions play a crucial role in promoting spiritual growth while strengthening cultural linkages across regions. He welcomed efforts to develop a comprehensive Buddhist tourism circuit in the country, connecting historically and spiritually significant regions, including states in the northeast such as Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.Referring to Maharashtra’s Buddhist heritage, he underlined the significance of the Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves, which continue to attract scholars, pilgrims, and tourists from across the globe.
