The teachings of Buddha about compassion and universal brotherhood continue to resonate even today and Telangana has played a vital role in the revival of Buddhism in ancient India after it was “suppressed” for many years.
This was the message from several speakers on the inaugural day of the first ever global celebrations on ‘Buddhist Heritage of Telangana - 2017’ organised by the Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation here on Thursday.
Field trips
Delegates from the U.S., the UK, Vietnam, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and others are attending the programme, which includes field trips to 28 Buddhist heritage sites unearthed by the archaeology department in the State.
Archaeological finds
Acharya Nagarjuna, a Buddhist scholar, provided impetus to the spread of the Mahayana sect of the religion from Telangana and the way it was practised all over the world. Although it was not in the open for hundreds of years, archaeological finds across the country brought it to the fore in 19th century, said Dhammachari Subhuti from the United Kingdom.
Grand revival
But the “grand revival” of Buddhism happened in India when B.R. Ambedkar and scores of his followers embraced the religion as it was not “contradictory” to modern science.
Dr. Ambedkar included the concepts of liberty, equality and fraternity in the Indian Constitution from the ideals of Buddhism and not from the French revolution. The religion arose as a social revolution against the prevalent superstitions, discrimination and exploitation of fellow beings, said M. Laxmaiah, special officer of Buddhavanam project.
Buddhism spread across the country from the Telangana region along the Pranahita river and reached Godavari traversing Dharmapuri, Kotilingala, Dhoolikatta, Phanigiri, Gajulabanda, Tirumagiri, Nelakondapalli, Jaggaiahpeta crossing Krishna river and also reached Amaravathi as per the historians’ accounts.
Heritage sites
Commissioner of Tourism Sunita M. Bhagwat said nine more heritage sites were being developed as part of the circuit.
Earlier, Speaker of TS Legislative Assembly S. Madhusudhana Chary, who inaugurated the meeting, and Tribal Welfare and Tourism Minister A. Chandu Lal said the teachings of Buddhism should be followed by all.
Tourism Secretary B. Venkatesam and Archaeology Survey of India Director N.S. Visalakshi also spoke.