The 2,560th Buddha Purnima was celebrated with religious fervour here on Saturday with people making a beeline to the sprawling Buddha Vihar to pay their obeisance to Lord Buddha.
Buddhists started to throng Buddha Vihar since morning and prominent among those to offer prayers first was former Union Minister and the Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, M. Mallikarjun Kharge and his family. Mr. Kharge is a converted Buddhist. Allamprabhu Patil, former MLC, also visited Buddha Vihar.
After offering floral tribute to Lord Buddha at the Dhyana Mandir in Buddha Vihar, Mr. Kharge said that the preachings mentioned in Buddhism has had its impact across the world, including India.
Mr. Kharge said that Buddha’s teaching has had a strong influence on the teachings of 12th century social reformer Basaveshwara, who spent his life fighting caste system and untouchability.
Mr. Kharge said that the decision of B.R. Ambedkar to embrace Buddhism was the milestone in the history of the country and marked the revival of Buddhism.
Mr. Kharge said Mr. Ambedkar’s decision gave confidence and hope to the Dalits to educate themselves and organise themselves against injustice and untouchability.
Stressing on the importance of education, Mr. Kharge said that proper education would ensure a disciplined life. He said that knowledge centres existed in ancient India, including Takshashila and Nalanda Universities, which were known for providing secular education and teaching Buddhism.
Without naming any party or leader, Mr. Kharge said that people who never bothered to eradicate caste system and untouchability in the past six decades have now started showing sudden concern and love towards the ideologies of Mr. Ambedkar.
Meanwhile, cultural programmes were held in the evening at Buddha Vihar.
Buddhism has had its impact across the world, including India, says Mallikarjun Kharge
