About the Conference
From time immemorial, Indian Knowledge Systems have shaped civilisations, guided governance, and influenced trade across Asia and beyond. From Ayurveda to astronomy, from mathematics to economics, India developed enduring traditions of knowledge that continue to inspire scholarship and practice. These practice-oriented disciplines attracted scholars from across the world, establishing India as a global centre of learning. Over the centuries, however, this rich heritage gradually lost its place. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 marks a renewed commitment to integrating Indian Knowledge Systems into higher education, recognizing their enduring relevance in the modern world. It is in this spirit that IIM Bodh Gaya carefully curated Buddhonomics 2026. Built on a Pali motto, shaped by Buddhist core values, and located in the land where one of India's greatest knowledge traditions began, IIM Bodh Gaya is working in line with the Ministry of Education's vision. Buddhonomics 2026 is a platform to revive and apply the knowledge this land has produced, and to bring it into direct conversation with the challenges of the modern economy.
Among India's many knowledge traditions, Buddhism has a distinctive relationship with economic life. It did not spread through scripture alone. It travelled through trade. Merchants carried its principles along the Silk Road and the sea routes of Southeast Asia. The Jataka tales celebrate the merchant Bodhisattva, the trader who is ambitious and compassionate. The Noble Eightfold Path organised around Wisdom, Ethical Conduct and Mental Discipline, offers a framework for right action that is as relevant to business as it is to individual life. At the heart of this tradition is the Buddha's “मज्झिमापटिपदा “, the Middle Path, which applies as directly to economic systems as it does to personal conduct. It challenges the assumption that more is always better, replacing it with the idea that true wellbeing is achieved through moderation, simplicity and non-violence.
Buddhonomics 2026 is the meeting point of these two streams, Buddhist wisdom and modern economics. It asks what management, enterprise and governance would look like if prosperity, posterity and peace were pursued together. Organised in partnership with Nalanda University and the University of Colombo, Buddhonomics 2026 creates a platform where scholarship meets policy and ancient principles are tested against real-world challenges.
About IIM BG
सब्बे भद्राणि पस्सन्तु. Let all be witnesses of good happenings. It is the founding motto of IIM Bodh Gaya, written in Pali, the language of Buddhist scripture. It runs through everything the institution does, from how it teaches to how it governs itself.
The architecture of the campus reflects the same conviction. Designed with classical columns, open courtyards, and spaces for reflection, it draws from the monastic university tradition that once made Nalanda a center of the ancient world's intellectual life. On 3 January 2020, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama gave IIM Bodh Gaya a new identity by unveiling the institute's logo, deepening its commitment to building leaders who are analytically sharp and ethically grounded in equal measure.
That commitment is embedded in its five core values: mindfulness, social responsibility, leadership, lifelong learning, and sustainability. These are not abstract aspirations. They shape the curriculum, the culture, and the conduct of the institution every day.
Ranked 31st in the NIRF Management rankings, IIM Bodh Gaya today stands as the largest IIM in India by student strength, with students from across 25 states representing nearly 300 cities. Its academic partnerships span institutions across five continents, from Bologna Business School in Italy and HEC Liège in Belgium to the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, Tarleton State University in the United States, and National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan, enabling student exchanges, joint research, and faculty collaboration. Hosting Buddhonomics 2026 extends its academic mission from the classroom to the world stage, convening the dialogue for which its own founding philosophy was built.
About Nalanda University
Nalanda University is a post-graduate, research-focused international university in Rajgir, Bihar. Established on 25 Nov 2010 by Parliament Act No. 39, it was set up as an "institution of national importance" to revive the ancient Nalanda — the world’s first residential university that flourished from 5th to 12th century CE. The idea was proposed by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and supported by East Asia Summit member countries in 2007 & 2009 to boost regional understanding, education cooperation, and shared heritage. Several nations have signed MoUs to support it. Inspired by its historic legacy, the university aims to advance research, build capacity in key areas of learning, and promote regional peace and global understanding.
About IBC
The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) is a Buddhist umbrella body with its base in New Delhi that serves as a common platform for Buddhists worldwide. Established under the patronage of the supreme Buddhist religious hierarchy, IBC currently has a membership comprising more than 320 organisations, both monastic and lay, in 39 countries. The IBC journey with its “Collective Wisdom United Voice” has brought thousands of hearts together. Despite several challenges, we have been sincerely trying to create a role for Buddhism on the global stage to help preserve our heritage, share our knowledge, and promote our values and to represent a united front for Buddhists to engage in meaningful participation in the global discourse.
About the University of Colombo
The University of Colombo, established in 1921, is Sri Lanka's oldest and most prominent institution of higher education. Guided by its motto "बुद्धिः शर्वत्र भ्रजते", "Wisdom Enlightens", it brings together around 77 academic departments and six specialist institutes, offering programs across the arts, management, law, medicine, natural sciences, and education. A member of the Asian Universities Alliance, it maintains active research collaborations with institutions across Europe, Australia, and Asia. Its partnership with Buddhonomics 2026 reflects a shared commitment to knowledge traditions that place wisdom, not just growth, at the center of human progress.
The Microsoft CMT service was used for managing the peer-reviewing process for this conference. This service was provided for free by Microsoft and they bore all expenses, including costs for Azure cloud services as well as for software development and support.
At a time when global economies grapple with widening inequalities, climate anxieties, and social fragmentation, the teachings of the Buddha illuminate an alternative path—one that blends mindfulness with material progress and ethics with economics.
The International Conference on Buddhonomics 2026 at IIM Bodh Gaya seeks to reimagine the idea of growth and prosperity through the lens of compassion, interdependence, and sustainability.
Bodh Gaya — the cradle of enlightenment — serves as an apt setting for this dialogue, which bridges ancient wisdom and contemporary policy, bringing together voices from academia, government, civil society, and international organizations, especially from Buddhist nations in Southeast and East Asia.
Track 1: Buddhonomics – Reimagining the Global Economic Order
• The philosophical foundations of Buddhist Economics.
• Integrating mindfulness, moderation, and interdependence in economic systems.
• Ethical consumption and the economics of sufficiency.
• Comparative perspectives: Buddhist, Islamic, Gandhian, and Post-Keynesian ideas.
Track 2: Sustainable and Mindful Development
• Rethinking prosperity beyond GDP.
• Circular economy and degrowth movements in Buddhist nations.
• Climate change, compassion, and intergenerational justice.
• Lessons from Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness framework.
Track 3: Peace, Prosperity, and Geopolitical Harmony
• Buddhist diplomacy and the geopolitics of peace.
• Trade and cultural corridors among Buddhist nations.
• Conflict resolution and peacebuilding in Asia.
• Economic resilience in a multipolar world.
Track 4: Human Capital, Governance, and Moral Institutions
• Buddhist values in governance and leadership.
• Ethics and integrity in public administration.
• Education, empathy, and social transformation.
• Building compassionate institutions for inclusive growth.
Track 5: Business, Mindfulness, and Responsible Innovation
• The rise of conscious capitalism and ethical business.
• Mindful leadership and corporate well-being.
• Buddhist perspectives on entrepreneurship and social enterprise.
• AI and Digital Transformation through the Lens of Buddhism.
Track 6: Cultural, Historical, and Spiritual Dimensions
• Buddhist heritage as a driver of cultural diplomacy.
• Heritage tourism and sustainable local economies.
• Interfaith dialogue and pluralism.
• Shared identity and cooperation among Buddhist countries.
Track 7: General Management and Economics- Contemporary Perspectives
• Economic growth, development, and inclusive prosperity
• Macroeconomic and microeconomic perspectives on contemporary challenges
• Behavioural economics, decision-making, and human well-being
• Strategic management, organisational behaviour, and leadership
• Finance, markets, entrepreneurship, and business performance
• Innovation, productivity, and competitiveness in emerging economies
• Applications of Buddhist principles to contemporary economic and managerial thought
Download the official conference brochure for complete details on tracks, speakers, schedule, fees and registration.
⬇ Download Conference Brochure (PDF)| ACTIVITY | DATE |
|---|---|
| Extended abstract submission deadline | 30-September-26 |
| Notification of acceptance | Notifications issued on a rolling basis; latest by 1 October 2026 |
| Registration window | 1 – 10 October 2026 |
| Pre-conference workshop on Mindfulness & Buddhist Philosophy | 19-November-26 |
| Conference | 20 – 21 November 2026 |
Workshop trainer details will be announced shortly.
The conference is offered in hybrid mode, and registration fees are identical for online and offline participation. Fees are inclusive of GST and also cover participation in the pre-conference workshop.
| Delegate Category | Indian Affiliation | Foreign Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Research Scholars | ₹ 7,500 | 100 USD |
| Faculty Members | ₹ 10,000 | 150 USD |
| Industry Professionals / Practitioners | ₹ 12,500 | 200 USD |
| ACTIVITY | DATE |
|---|---|
| Extended abstract submission deadline | 30-September-26 |
| Notification of acceptance | Notifications issued on a rolling basis; latest by 1 October 2026 |
| Registration window | 1 – 10 October 2026 |
| Pre-conference workshop on Mindfulness & Buddhist Philosophy | 19-November-26 |
| Conference | 20 – 21 November 2026 |
The overarching schedule is set from 08:00 AM to 05:00 PM across the active dates.
All submissions are collected via Microsoft CMT. The link will guide you through track and sub-track selection.
- File naming: Track No_Last Name of Author.pdf. For example, a submission to Track 1 by an author named Kakani should be saved as 1_Kakani.pdf
- All correspondence will be with the corresponding author only; the email address used at submission must also be used for conference registration
- Papers cannot be revised after the submission deadline
- A single paper may not be submitted to more than one track. Please select the single best-fit track
- All submissions must be original and will undergo double-blind peer review; reviewer identities remain anonymous, and feedback will be shared with authors after the review process is concluded
- If accepted, the paper title, author names and all other details will appear in the Conference Programme and Proceedings exactly as submitted. Please ensure accuracy before submitting
- The corresponding author confirms that all co-authors have consented to the submission
- At least one author must register for the conference and present the accepted paper
- Only accepted papers satisfying all criteria will be included in the conference proceedings and book of abstracts
Types of Submissions (related, for context)
- Research papers
- Review papers
- Empirical papers
- Working papers
- Case studies
Authors may submit in one of two formats across all six conference tracks:
Extended Abstract (500–1,000 words): A structured overview covering Purpose, Design/Methodology/Approach, Findings, and Originality/Value.
Full Paper (5,000–8,000 words, including references): A complete manuscript comprising Introduction, Literature Review, Theoretical Framework, Methodology, Findings, Discussion, Implications, Conclusion, and References accompanied by a structured abstract of no more than 250 words
Selected full-length papers may be considered for publication in the reputed journals listed below. The conference has established collaborations with these journals and is exploring additional partnerships, including the possibility of an edited volume. The list of publication opportunities will be updated as new agreements are finalized.
❖ Prague Economic Papers
❖ Journal of Economic and Administrative Sciences
❖ Journal of Policy Research in Tourism, Leisure and Events
❖ Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal
❖ Environmental Quality Management
By Air
By Rail
By Road
The Book of Abstracts will be made available after the conference proceedings are compiled.
Accepted contributions carry a life beyond the three days of the conference itself:
• A conference proceedings/book of abstracts, distributed to all delegates, featuring accepted submissions that meet the required criteria
• Selected papers considered for a special issue of a reputed journal (partner to be announced)
• Best Paper Awards presented in each of the six tracks
High-Level Roundtables
Alongside the academic programme, the conference will convene closed-door roundtables that bring senior government officials, diplomats, industry leaders and scholars into direct dialogue — designed to turn research into recommendations governments can use.
• Buddhonomics and Public Policy
• Ethical Leadership and Governance for the Twenty-First Century
• Responsible Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation
• Sustainable Tourism and the Cultural Economy of Bihar
• India's Leadership in the Global Buddhist Ecosystem
• Climate Action through Compassion and Collective Responsibility
• Building Partnerships for Peace, Prosperity and Sustainable Development