Tech Meets Tradition at Panel on Buddhist Philosophy and Piprahwa Relics

Prof. Nalin Kumar Shastri emphasized that the return of the relics speaks to Buddhism’s renewed relevance in tackling today’s complex challenges.

As the Grand International Exhibition of the Sacred Piprahwa Relics was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, leading scholars convened for a high-level panel on “Buddhist Philosophy” at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex, New Delhi—an event positioning India at the forefront of modern cultural heritage innovation.

Chaired by Prof. Siddharth Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, the panel featured distinguished experts from institutions including Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, and the University of Calcutta. While deeply rooted in classical philosophy, the discussion spotlighted the growing relevance of digital heritage technologies, ethical knowledge systems, and immersive cultural storytelling in a rapidly evolving world.

Buddhism as a Model for Ethical Intelligence and Human-Centred Design

In his address, Prof. Siddharth Singh emphasized that the Buddha’s teachings spread through dialogue and ethical conduct—principles increasingly mirrored in AI ethics frameworks, responsible innovation, and human-centric design. He highlighted the continuing significance of the Piprahwa relics as living connectors between the historical Buddha and contemporary global communities, describing their repatriation as an act of “shared stewardship rather than ownership.”

Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Systems Thinking

Prof. Nalin Kumar Shastri emphasized that the return of the relics speaks to Buddhism’s renewed relevance in tackling today’s complex challenges. He drew parallels between Buddhist concepts such as Anattā, Brahmavihāras, and Pratītyasamutpāda, and modern priorities like ethical governance algorithms, environmental sustainability modelling, and psychological well-being frameworks—positioning India as a global leader in integrating knowledge traditions with contemporary innovation.

Cultural Data Architecture and Symbolic Intelligence

Prof. Anand Singh discussed how relics and their veneration historically expanded Buddhist knowledge networks—analogous to today’s distributed cultural ecosystems. These sacred artefacts functioned as early “symbolic data nodes,” helping transmit values across regions while assimilating local traditions without compromising philosophical integrity.

A Global Framework for Peace and Ethical Technology

Prof. Bala Ganpathi highlighted Buddhism’s universal ethical architecture, noting that its global acceptance mirrors the rise of cross-border digital ethics conversations. He described the Piprahwa relics as “living reminders of a civilizational message,” one offering scalable, humane frameworks for global coexistence in an increasingly fragmented digital era.

Shared Intellectual DNA Across Civilizations

Prof. Rajnish Mishra emphasized the longstanding intellectual continuity between Buddhist and classical Indian philosophical systems—historical parallels to today’s open research ecosystems and collaborative knowledge infrastructures.

Heritage Concepts That Inform Modern Immersive Experiences

Prof. Ujjwal Kumar explained the historical and doctrinal significance of stūpas and cetiyas, noting that while one contains relics and the other serves as a symbolic reminder, both play critical roles in ethical and experiential learning. These distinctions offer rich opportunities for immersive digital exhibitions, AR storytelling, and interactive educational platforms.

The panel collectively commended the leadership of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Culture for enabling the repatriation of the Piprahwa relics—an act they described as global cultural diplomacy and a powerful assertion of India’s commitment to peace, heritage, and shared values.

Call to Action for Early Adopters in Culture-Tech

India’s renewed focus on cultural stewardship creates fertile ground for innovators across:

• AI-driven heritage preservation

• Digital humanities platforms

• Immersive AR/VR cultural exhibitions

• Ethical AI frameworks inspired by Buddhist philosophy

• Knowledge graph modelling of ancient texts

The cultural-tech sector is urged to collaborate early, prototype new tools, and build next-generation experiences that amplify India’s civilizational wisdom for global audiences.

This exhibition—and the scholarship surrounding it—serves as a foundation for new digital pathways where heritage, ethics, and technology converge to shape the future of global cultural innovation.