About the Conference

Pakistan is a holy land for millions of Buddhist devotees around the world. It is the cradle of the famous Gandhara Buddhist art and iconography. It is the birthplace of renowned Buddhist philosophers and spiritual masters like Asanga, Vasubhandhu, Guru Rinpoche and Monk Marananta. The two brothers, Asanga and Vasubhandha, lived in Peshawar, then known as Purushapura, in the 4th century CE. They became prominent Buddhist philosophers by shaping Buddhist thought for centuries to come. Guru Rinpoche (also known as Padmasambhava) was from the Swat valley. He is venerated as the “second Buddha” by adherents of Buddhism in Bhutan, Nepal and China…. Read More

Conference Venue

Humanistic Buddhism Research Centre
Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad

Conference 2026 Activities

Learn from scholars and teachers

    • Engaging talks with deep insights into conference themes
    • Panel Sessions with Q&A on conference themes
    • Moderated In-depth Discussion with well-known scholars

Experience the Spiritual Journey

    • Flexible itineraries to visit key Buddhist Heritage sites and museums in Taxila, Peshawar, Mardan and Swat
    • Well-known tourism companies will facilitate the trips

Conference Theme for 2026

Exploring the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan through Multidisciplinary Research

Sub Themes:

Buddhism in Gandhara and Its Transmission Beyond

The Gandhara Legacy – New Excavations, Discoveries and Interpretations

Conservation and Management of Buddhist Sites – Challenges and Opportunities

Impact of Climate Change on Cultural Heritage

Use of Technology and Innovation in Buddhist Heritage Conservation

We have done it before...

2022

International Conference and Art Festival for Promoting
Social Cohesion and Interfaith Harmony

BUDDHISM IN PAKISTAN:
HISTORY,
ARCHAEOLOGY, ART AND ARCHITECTURE

Islamabad, March 14-15, 2022

2024

International Conference and Art Festival
on

HERITAGE FOR PEACE AND PROGRESS:
CONSERVATION, EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO
PROMOTE THE BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF PAKISTAN

Islamabad, March 2-3, 2024

Call for Submissions

Authors are invited to send in their abstracts for review by the Conference Academic Committee, comprising research scholars and academics. The Academic Committee shall not accept full papers unless the submitted abstract has been reviewed and approved by the Committee. Authors whose abstracts are selected will be notified and requested to submit their full research papers within the specified timeframe. Contributors are requested to submit their abstracts on or before the closing date of September 30, 2025.

Download Guidelines

Ready to Get Started?

Why register?

  • Present your research to a global audience

  • Engage with scholars and archaeologists from around the world

  • Access exclusive workshops and guided tours

  • Network with academic and cultural institutions
Join the Third International Conference on:
EXPLORING THE BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF PAKISTAN
THROUGH MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH
 Learn about Conservation, Education and Training to promote the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan and share your experience with researchers on Buddhist history, philosophy, art and architecture.
Register Now

Conference Organizers

Conference Partners