As Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the International Buddha Purnima Diwas celebrations here on Monday, he described Lord Buddha’s teaching of ‘ Atta Deepo Bhavah ’ (Be your own light) as one of the greatest and shortest management lessons ever, contained in just three words.
Mr. Modi also advocated Buddhism as the way to a world free of war and violence. The world had acknowledged that the 21st Century belongs to Asia and the message of the Buddha would be the guiding light for the continent, he added.
The Prime Minister referred to Nepal, the birthplace of Buddha, and expressed solidarity with the people in their hour of grief and trial after the earthquake over a week ago. While lamenting the national calamity that struck Nepal, he pointed out that it also offered an opportunity to everyone to show compassion — preached by Lord Buddha — towards those affected by the quake.
According to the Prime Minister, Lord Buddha laid stress on both individual emancipation and social reform, and was also conscious of the need to unite people.
