About Us

The International Sakya Convention is a global gathering convened to bring together representatives, descendants, scholars, and community voices connected to the Sakya lineage—the ancient people and clan into which Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, was born. The Convention has been initiated to create a shared space for acknowledging, documenting, and understanding the historical and living heritage of the Sakya people, which has long remained dispersed across regions.

 

The Sakya were not only the lineage of the Buddha, but also a distinct historical community with their own systems of governance, social organization, and cultural traditions. Over time, historical events led to the dispersal of Sakya descendants into different parts of Asia and beyond. This Convention seeks to provide, for the first time, an international platform where these diverse narratives can be brought together with dignity, accuracy, and mutual respect. The Convention is not a religious body, sectarian forum, or political platform, but a cultural and historical assembly grounded in dialogue and evidence.

Our Pillars

Sakya Lineage & History

The Convention encourages an accurate and responsible understanding of the Sakya people, their society, and their place in world civilization, drawing upon historical records, archaeological evidence, and community memory.

Global Sakya Unity

The Convention provides a neutral and inclusive space for Sakya communities from different regions to engage as equal inheritors of the same lineage, without hierarchy, sectarian divisions, or regional privilege.

Archiving
& Documentation

Dialogue around research, archival work, and educational initiatives forms a core part of the Convention, with the aim of preserving Sakya history with integrity for future generations.

Heritage Preservation

Emphasis is placed on safeguarding Sakya cultural heritage in all its forms, including historical sites, oral traditions, family records, cultural practices, and material artifacts that carry Sakya memory across generation.

The International Sakya Convention is conceived as a foundational gathering—an opportunity for collective reflection and connection. While it does not presume the existence of a permanent institution, it allows participants to explore shared objectives and the possibility of sustained collaboration through mutual consensus.

Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q)

Q1. What is the International Sakya Convention (ISC)?
The International Sakya Convention (ISC) is an annual interdisciplinary academic forum dedicated to the scholarly study of the Sakya community associated with the historical Buddha. It brings together researchers, scholars, and community members to examine the Sakya tradition’s cultural, social, political, and historical foundations through rigorous academic inquiry.

 

Q2. Is ISC a religious organization?
No. ISC is an academic and scholarly initiative. While its subject matter includes religious history, the convention itself is non-sectarian and research-oriented. It values respectful exchange across traditions as part of its commitment to inclusive scholarship.

Q3. Does ISC engage with other religious or cultural traditions?
ISC approaches its work with openness and respect toward a wide range of religious and cultural traditions. While its primary focus is Sakya studies, the convention supports scholarly dialogue that situates this history within broader regional and intercultural contexts.

Q4. What is ISC’s long-term vision?
ISC’s long-term vision is to establish a sustainable academic platform that reconnects Sakya communities across Eurasia, supports rigorous research, and promotes dialogue and cooperation among scholars and communities in a spirit of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.

Q5. Is the International Sakya Convention a registered foundation?
At present, ISC is not a registered foundation or legal entity. Plans are underway to establish a formal foundation in the future to support the convention’s long-term academic mission.

Q6. Does ISC accept donations?
No. ISC does not currently accept donations. Once a foundation is formally established, all donation-related information will be transparently communicated and officially linked to this website.