International Abhidhamma Day 2025 celebrated at Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida
On 6–7 October 2025, on Sharad Purnima, the International Buddhist Confederation and the Ministry of Culture celebrated International Abhidhamma Day at Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, with an international conference on Abhidhamma.
Summary
On 6–7 October 2025, the full-moon day of Sharad Purnima, the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), with Gautam Buddha University (GBU), Greater Noida, the Antarrashtriya Baudh Shodh Sansthan (Lucknow) and the Ministry of Culture, celebrated International Abhidhamma Day at GBU. An international conference on 'The Relevance of Abhidhamma in Understanding Buddhist Thought: Text, Tradition and Contemporary Perspectives' heard over 35 papers from scholars of India, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka. The day commemorates the Buddha preaching the Abhidhamma to the gods of Tavatimsa Heaven, led by his mother Mahamaya, and later sharing it with his disciple Sariputta. An exhibition showed over 2,500 Buddhist stamps from 90 countries, and another highlighted the Piprahwa relics. The release recalled that the Government has declared Pali — the canonical language of Theravada texts including the Abhidhamma Pitaka — a Classical Language.
Key facts
- Dates/venue
- 6–7 Oct 2025 (Sharad Purnima), Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida
- Organisers
- IBC, GBU, Antarrashtriya Baudh Shodh Sansthan, Ministry of Culture
- Commemorates
- Buddha preaching Abhidhamma to gods of Tavatimsa Heaven, led by mother Mahamaya
- Conference
- 35+ papers — India, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka
- Pali
- Declared Classical Language; canonical language of Theravada texts
Practice MCQs 2 questions
International Abhidhamma Day commemorates the Buddha preaching the Abhidhamma to the gods of which heaven?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Tavatimsa
PIB: Abhidhamma Day commemorates the occasion when the Buddha preached the Abhidhamma to the gods of Tavatimsa Heaven, led by his mother Mahamaya, and later shared it with Arahant Sariputta.
Consider the following statements: 1. International Abhidhamma Day 2025 was celebrated on Sharad Purnima at Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida. 2. Pali, the canonical language of Theravada texts including the Abhidhamma Pitaka, has been declared a Classical Language by the Government of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. PIB: IBC and partners celebrated International Abhidhamma Day on Sharad Purnima (6–7 October 2025) at GBU, Greater Noida; the Government declared Pali a Classical Language, recognising it as the canonical language of Theravada texts including the Abhidhamma Pitaka.