VARANASI, Feb. 18 -- A three-day international conference on Pali Language and Indian Knowledge System began at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) on Tuesday. The event has been organised by the department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, faculty of arts, and will continue till February 19, 2026. Scholars, monks and researchers from India and six other countries are taking part. Dr Kenji Takahashi of Toyo University, Japan, attended as chief guest. He said scholars played an important role in preserving Pali literature in Japan and spoke about the strong cultural ties between India and Japan. Pali is one of India's oldest languages. It was written in the ancient Brahmi script and Lord Buddha used it to deliver his sermons. The Government of India has granted it classical language status. Prof KTS Sarao spoke on the linguistic nature of Pali and Emperor Ashoka's role in spreading the Buddha's teachings. Prof Ravindra Panth highlighted the message of "Bahujanahitaya, Bahujanasukhaya". Dr Arun Kumar Yadav welcomed the delegates. Convenor Dr Buddha Ghosh said 81 of 141 abstracts were selected. Prof Siddharth Singh spoke on Buddhism's global spread and Abhidhamma. Dean Prof Sushma Ghildiyal described the gathering as a "galaxy of intellectuals"....