An international academic and cultural exchange event was held in India, the birthplace of Buddhism, through collaboration among leading academic and cultural institutions, opening a new chapter in scholarly and cultural dialogue rooted in Buddhist tradition.
The event was structured around two main components: a Siddham calligraphy exhibition and a book launch ceremony presenting research on Buddhist scriptures, both organized under the initiative of Indian academic and cultural institutions.
 Nalanda University main building, Bihar, India. |
Siddham Calligraphy Exhibition at Nalanda University
On January 23, 2026, Nalanda University, located in Bihar, India, hosted the “Siddham Calligraphy Exhibition – Manifestation of Aksara Brahman.”
The exhibition focused on Siddham script, a writing system of great importance in Buddhist mantra, dhāraṇī, and bījākṣara traditions. It sought to reinterpret and illuminate the philosophical and artistic significance of ancient Nalanda’s Buddhist heritage within a contemporary context.
Book Launch Ceremony at Central Sanskrit University
Subsequently, on January 29, 2026, a formal book launch ceremony (Pustaka Vimochana Samaroh) was held at Central Sanskrit University, India’s national educational institution specializing in Sanskrit studies. The ceremony officially introduced scholarly publications centered on Sanskrit Buddhist literature.
Both the exhibition and the book launch were organized by TATVAM Foundation, an Indian cultural and academic research organization, in collaboration with Nalanda University, Central Sanskrit University, international cultural research institutions, and Korea Sanskrit Shiksha Sansthanam.
The events represented an official international academic and cultural exchange jointly conducted by national universities and research institutions.
The exhibition, held in official university spaces, attracted students, scholars, and cultural practitioners. The book launch introduced Bhaktiśatakam, a work exploring Buddhist philosophy and contemplative traditions, with participation from faculty members and researchers of India’s national universities who shared its academic significance.
Bhaktiśatakam(108 Verses of Devotion)
The publication is structured around Sanskrit aphorisms and Buddhist dhāraṇī traditions, offering contemporary interpretations of their philosophical meanings. A distinctive feature of the book is the inclusion of musical scores reflecting the rhythmic and metrical traditions of the Rigveda.
By presenting original Sanskrit verses, interpretive commentary, and musical notation that sonically embodies the resonance of the texts, the work demonstrates a unified flow connecting Buddhist scriptures, ancient Vedic tradition, and contemporary cultural arts. It illustrates how visual art, calligraphy, and scholarly discourse can be translated into a modern language of cultural exchange, forming a shared cultural asset encompassing scholarship, music, and the arts.
In this collaborative process, interpretation and structural composition of the verses and dhāraṇī were undertaken by Ven. Dowung, while the musical compositions based on Rigvedic rhythms were created by Ven. Doyoung. Their collaboration ensured that scripture, language, and music were not treated as separate disciplines but integrated into a single cultural expression.
Cultural Exchange Recognized by Indian Academia and Public Institutions
The event drew attention for its institutional nature, emphasizing collaboration among Indian national universities, academic institutions, and cultural research organizations rather than focusing on individual figures. Academic observers in India noted that Nalanda represents not merely a legacy of the past but a living academic space, and that the project exemplifies how Buddhist tradition can be reconnected through the languages of scholarship, art, and education.
The exhibition format, presenting reinterpreted cultural works from Korea, was also recognized as a meaningful model of contemporary cultural exchange.
Toward a Sustainable Korea–India Cultural Partnership
Building on this initiative, academic and cultural cooperation between Korea and India—centered on Buddhist studies, Sanskrit research, and calligraphic arts—is expected to expand further. As a case of cultural exchange conducted with academic credibility and public institutional support in India, the birthplace of Buddhism, the project is likely to be recorded as a valuable reference model for future international Buddhist cultural collaboration.
The exhibition was also introduced through Indian local broadcast media. The related video conveys how Siddham calligraphy bridges tradition, art, and spirituality through on-site coverage.
 Korean Today | Indian Local Broadcast Coverage |
Continuation of the Exchange in Korea
This international academic and cultural exchange will continue in Korea. On February 24, 2026, a book launch event will be held in Seoul, hosted by the Embassy of India in the Republic of Koreaand jointly organized by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centreand the Korea Sanskrit Research Institute, further extending the Korea–India cultural dialogue.
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