Delivering the keynote address on the occasion of the Vesak Global celebrations on the Buddha Purnima day, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the opportunity to emphasise on the need to learn Lord Buddha’s life and teachings.
He said that the four sights in the life of Lord Buddha ignited within him the desire to devote his life to removing human suffering and likewise in the last year, several individuals and organisations rose to the occasion and did everything possible to reduce human suffering during the Covid-19 pandemic. This he said was in tune with Lord Buddha’s teaching of blessings, compassion and welfare of all.
The PM added that generous contributions of both equipment and materials had been made by several Buddhist organisations and followers of Buddha Dharma from around the world to help people suffering from Coronavirus. Praising these efforts he remarked: “Humanity has been humbled by the outpouring of generosity and support from fellow humans. These actions are in line with the teachings of Lord Buddha. It manifests the supreme mantra of ‘Be a light unto yourself’.”
Lord Buddha's statue in Bodh Gaya (Pic: Courtesy Wikimedia Commons)
Moving on from the Covid-19 situation, the PM observed that while fighting the pandemic one must not lose sight of the other challenges faced by humanity. “One of the biggest challenges is that of climate change. Reckless lifestyles of the present threaten the coming generations. Weather patterns are changing, glaciers are melting, rivers and forests are in danger. We cannot let our planet remain wounded. Lord Buddha put emphasis on a way of life where respect for Mother Nature is paramount.”
The PM went on to add that he was proud that India was among the few large economies to be on track to completing their Paris targets. “For us, sustainable living is not only about the right words. It is about the right actions,” he remarked.
Delving on Lord Buddha’s life, the PM said the life of Gautama Buddha was all about peace, harmony and co-existence, but there are still forces whose existence depends on spreading hate, terror and mindless violence.
“Such forces do not believe in liberal democratic principles. The need of the hour is for all those who believe in humanity to come together and defeat terror and radicalisation. For that, the Path shown by Lord Buddha is absolutely relevant. Lord Buddha's teachings and the importance given to social justice can become a global unifying force,” PM observed.
He added that Lord Buddha had rightly said: “There is no higher bliss than peace.”
Describing Lord Buddha as the reservoir of brilliance for the entire universe, the PM said that everyone could draw light from time to time and take the path of compassion, universal responsibility and welfare. He went to quote Mahatma Gandhi who had said: “Buddha taught us to defy appearances and trust in the final triumph of Truth and Love.”
He urged everyone to renew their commitment to the ideals of Lord Buddha.
Vesak is a very important day in Buddhism. It is the day of the full moon in May and is venerated by millions of Buddhists across the world. It was on this day, two and a half millennia ago, in 623 B.C., that the Buddha was born. Significantly, it was again on this day that Buddha attained enlightenment, and it was on the same day that he passed away at the age of 80 years.
The address delivered through video conference also saw the presence of several other dignitaries including the Prime Minister of Nepal, K.P. Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa, the members of the venerated Mahasangha, the Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Prahlad Singh and Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijiju, and Secretary General of International Buddhist Confederation, Venerable Doctor Dhammapiya.
