Profile

The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) is a vehicle for Indian soft power diplomacy, formally registered in 2012, partially in response to China's competing World Buddhist Forum (WBF). It arose from a meeting in 2011  called "Global Buddhist Congregation", convened in New Delhi with the assistance of the Indian government. It was registered with the support of senior figures within the Indian establishment such as former Attorney General Soli Sorabjee, and Senior Supreme Court Advocates K. K. Venugopal and K. T. S. Tulsi. India's Ministry of Culture has accorded it the status of "Cultural Organisation with National Presence", a recognition accorded to only a handful of other Indian NGOs.

It is envisioned as a "centralised body" bringing together representatives of various Buddhist traditions globally to interpret issues concerning Buddhism and provide a "common platform". IBC is based in New Delhi and comprises 300+ Buddhist organisations worldwide. A statement made at the IBC's inception by Banagala Uptatissa, head of the Mahabodhi Society of Sri Lanka neatly sums up its objective “The whole world looks to India because of Buddhism. If someone from India takes initiative, India can take leadership of the Buddhist world”. 

Notably, no delegates from mainland China attended the inaugural meeting in 2011, ostensibly due to the presence of the Dalai Lama (who had not been invited to China’s WBF). In protest, the Chinese called off the scheduled talks of the Special Representatives on the Sino–Indian border dispute that year. Nonetheless, the IBF has managed on occasion to co-opt a number of key Buddhist leaders that have deep ties to China and active in China’s soft power, such as Hsin Tao, Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje and Tai Situ.

At the IBC's December 2017 meeting at which the minister of the Central Tibetan Administration’s Department of Religion and Culture was appointed VP of its Governing Council, the IBC discussed "a role for Buddhism on the global stage” and  representing "a united front for Buddhism to enjoy meaningful participation in the global discourse.”

The following video is produced by the IBC, outlining its scope and objectives. 

Notable Officials

• Lama Lobsang, Founder and President