Expressing concern over reports of rising intolerance and violence across the world, Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said that Buddhism was one of the best ways to achieve peace and harmony in society.
He was speaking after paying obeisance to Lord Buddha on the occasion of 2,561st Buddha Pournima Celebrations at the Budda Vihar Complex on the outskirts of Kalaburagi on Wednesday.
Mr. Kharge said that the preachings of Lord Buddha can bring about permanent happiness and the non-violence path shown by him (Buddha), can save the world from conflicts and insecurity. “The philosophy of Buddhism is as relevant today as ever in the era of violence, especially as some parts of the world were grappling with complex problems that seem intractable,” Mr. Kharge added.
Even as more than half of the nations in the world were ruled by dictatorship in one form or the other, Buddhism too found patrons to help spread its cause. Asoka, emperor of the Maurya dynasty that ruled over the entire subcontinent, helped proselytise the length and breadth of the country. Even Buddhist monks travelled across the world to spread the preachings of the Buddha, he said.
Mr. Kharge added that the teachings of Buddhism can successfully coexist and even blend with the new culture it encounters. To understand this concept, one has to look at countries such as Tibet, China, Thailand, Korea, Japan and a few European countries, where Buddhism was more popular than in India.
Hailing B.R. Ambedkar as the best interpreter of the Buddha, he said that Ambedkar’s monumental work, “The Buddha and His Dhamma”, helps us understand Buddhism better.
Special prayers were conducted in the morning by Banthes. A festive atmosphere prevailed at the Budha Vihar with people flocking to offer their obeisance to Lord Buddha.
B.M. Puttaiah, Reader, Kuvempu Kannada Research Centre at Kuppalli in Shivamogga, delivered a special lecture.
Mr. Kharge released a compact disc, “Buddhaloka”, containing audio recordings of Buddha’s teachings.
Prominent among those present were Mr. Kharge’s wife, Radhabai Kharge, and his son, Rahul Kharge.
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