BHU and Taiwan's Tzu Chi Foundation to Open Buddhism Research Center

On October 11th, 2025, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi, India, and the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation from Taiwan held discussions to establish a new Research Centre for Buddhism. The proposed center will operate under the aegis of BHU's Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, Faculty of Arts.

A 13-member delegation from the Tzu Chi Foundation, led by Vice-President Lin Pi Yu, visited BHU and met with Vice-Chancellor Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi. The university administration has expressed full support for the initiative, and they will work to expedite the process of setting up the center as per BHU's norms.

The new research center will focus on the study, translation, and publication of classical Buddhist texts, research papers, and a series of lectures. It aims to promote both the Theravada and Mahayana traditions of Buddhism, with a particular emphasis on reviving awareness of the Mahayana tradition, which once flourished in India but gradually disappeared from its land of origin.

The center will facilitate scholarly and cultural exchange to deepen the understanding between these two major Buddhist traditions. It will also work to translate important Buddhist scriptures and texts into Indian languages, enabling wider access for scholars and practitioners.

The Tzu Chi Foundation has expressed its readiness to support both the Theravada and Mahayana traditions, particularly in the translation and publication of their sacred books and canonical literature.