PM Modi to address Ashadha Purnima-Dhamma Chakra Day programme
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that Lord Buddha's ideas are all the more relevant now as humanity faces the COVID-19 crisis and asserted that India has shown how to face even the most difficult challenge by following the path shown by the founder of Buddhism. In his message at Ashadha Purnima and a Dhamma Chakra Day programme, which marks the day when Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment, he said the world has felt the power of Lord Buddha's teachings in times of tragedy.
"The entire world is moving in solidarity following the teachings of the Buddha. In this, the 'care with prayer' initiative of the International Buddhist Confederation is praiseworthy," the prime minister said.
Quoting 'Dhamm Pada', Modi said enmity does not quell enmity but is rather won over with love and a big heart.
"In times of tragedy, the world has felt this power of love and harmony. As this knowledge of Buddha, this experience of humanity gets enriched, the world will touch new heights of success and prosperity," he added.
Citing Buddha's teachings, the prime minister said, "Harmony between our mind, speech, and resolve and between our action and effort can guide us away from pain and towards happiness."
"This inspires us to work for general welfare during good times and gives us strength to face difficult times. Lord Buddha gave us an eight-fold path to achieve this harmony," he said.
When Lord Buddha, forged in the fire of sacrifice and endurance, speaks, then these are not mere words but an entire cycle of 'Dhamm' begins and the knowledge flowing from him become synonymous with the welfare of the world, the prime minister said.
That is why today he has followers all over the world, he added.
Reeling under COVID-19, world needs healing touch of compassion, kindness: President Kovind
President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday said the world is reeling under the impact of COVID-19 and needs the healing touch of compassion, kindness and selflessness more than ever before. These universal values propagated by Buddhism need to be adopted by all in their thoughts and actions, he said at an event.
"Application of Buddhist values and principles in addressing issues of global concern will help in healing the world and making it a better place," Kovind said.
He was addressing the annual Asadha Poornima – Dharma Chakra Day organised by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) through a video message.
Kovind said Lord Buddha's well-documented life contains invaluable messages for humanity, according to a statement by the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
"Reeling under the impact of COVID-19, the world, more than ever before, needs the healing touch of compassion, kindness, and selflessness," the president was quoted as saying.
He expressed hope that today's world gets inspired by Lord Buddha's infinite compassion and resolves to overcome all sources of human suffering, the statement said.
Kovind said it is important to stick to the essence of the teachings of Lord Buddha and not get lost in several different interpretations and variations of it. The president noted that in this context, the objectives of the International Buddhist Confederation are laudable.
He also praised the IBC's effort in providing a common platform for all Buddhist traditions and organisations to serve humanity.
The president said he believed that the appeal of Buddhism goes much beyond the nearly 550 million formally ordained followers of the faith.
"People belonging to other faiths, and even skeptics and atheists feel attracted to the teachings of the Buddha. This universal and eternal appeal of Buddhism is due to its logical, rational, and simple answers to the fundamental problems faced by human beings across time and place," Kovind said.
The Buddha's assurance of putting an end to suffering, his emphasis on universal compassion and non-violence, his message to pursue morality and moderation in all aspects of life, have inspired countless people over the last 2,600 years since his first sermon at Sarnath on this very day, he said.
Early in the morning, the President planted a sapling of the Bodhi tree in the garden of Rashtrapati Bhavan, the statement said.
Among the dignitaries present on the occasion were Union Minister of Culture, G Kishan Reddy, Ministers of State for Culture, Arjun Ram Meghwal and Meenakshi Lekhi, and Secretary-General, International Buddhist Confederation, Ven. Dr Dhammapiya.
This year, Guru Purnima, which is observed on the full moon day in Ashadh month of the Hindu calendar, falls on July 24, which coincides with the lunar eclipse.
It is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists to honour one's gurus or teachers who guide them through their lives towards the path of enlightenment.
Devotees from different corners of the country come to worship their Gurus living in Haridwar on the occasion. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Haridwar District Administration has said that only a 'symbolic snan' (holy bath) will be held. Only 'Shri Ganga Sabha' and 'Teerth Purohit' will participate in the snan.
The administration has allowed the devotees to enter the district with a negative RT-PCR report of not older than 72 hours. However, they will not be allowed to take the holy bath (snan).
