Colonial Myths Debunked at Guwahati Lecture on Buddhism and Indian Spirituality

An intellectually stimulating lecture on the theme ‘Buddhist Philosophy & Teachings in Bharatiya Sanatani Tradition’ was held on Saturday at Vivekananda Kendra in the Uzan Bazar locality of Guwahati. Jointly organised by socio-cultural group Pragya and the spiritual association Buddha Chetana-Bharat, the event witnessed participation from a wide cross-section of scholars, spiritual thinkers, and citizens drawn to the shared philosophical lineage of Buddhism and Sanatan Dharma.

The programme commenced with a ceremonial lighting of the lamp, followed by a soulful bhakti song rendered by Sharat Raag. Arup Bujarbaruah delivered the welcome address, setting the tone for an engaging exploration of philosophical and spiritual commonalities rooted in the Indian civilisation.

The keynote lecture was delivered by noted thinker and Asom Gaurav awardee Soumyadeep Datta, who presented a detailed exposition on the core tenets of Buddhist philosophy, including the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. He argued that the historical portrayal of Buddhism as a tradition detached from Hinduism is a misleading narrative—one shaped over the last 120 to 150 years, particularly during and after the British colonial period.

Datta pointed out that contrary to popular belief, Buddhist traditions do incorporate idol worship and are deeply embedded in the larger cultural and spiritual matrix of ancient Bharat. “It is high time we counter such historically inaccurate narratives and recognise that both Buddhism and Hinduism emerged from the same civilisational ethos,” he said. “While their approaches and interpretations may differ, both traditions emphasise the values of karma, dharma, and spiritual liberation,” he added.

The event’s chief guest, Venerable Karuna Shashtri Mahather, was felicitated by the organisers for his contributions to the spread of Buddhist teachings. A lively discussion followed, with attendees exchanging thoughts on the interconnectedness of India’s spiritual traditions and the need to highlight shared legacies in contemporary discourse.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Krishna Mriganka Barman. Other notable attendees included Basistha Bujarbaruah, Kshetra Pracharak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh; Hiteswar Chakraborty of Pragya; and Novanita Sarma of Buddha Chetana-Bharat. The gathering—comprising scholars, students, and spiritually inclined citizens—ended on a patriotic note with the rendition of Vande Mataram.