“The mind is supreme, and is the basis of Dharma.”, says PM while addressing the nation on Buddha Purnima
DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a virtual global programme on the occasion of Buddh Poornima. The Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), a global Buddhist umbrella organisation, organised the virtual prayer event with the participation of all the supreme heads of the Buddhist Sanghas from around the world. The event has been organised in the honour of COVID-19 victims and frontline warriors.
Minister of Culture and Minister of Tourism Shri Prahlad Singh Patel and Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Youth Affairs & Sports Shri Kiren Rijiju also participated in the event.
Addressing people at the celebration at Buddh Poornima, Prime Minister Narendra Modi applauded the workforce from different fields leading together the fight against coronavirus, saying their selfless work for others during the pandemic is worthy of praise. He said India stands firmly with those facing these difficult times, both in the country and abroad.
Prime Minister Modi wished people on this occasion and talked about the great impact of Lord Buddha on India as well as the relevance of his teachings in the present times when the whole world is in distress. He said that people must continuously strive to overcome difficult situations to wriggle out of them. To stop after getting tired is not any alternative.
PM stated that Lord Buddha had said that the mind is supreme, and is the basis of Dhamma, that the mind is at the forefront of all tendencies. That’s why, since our minds are connected, we don’t feel the lack of physical presence.
Speaking about India’s contribution in helping other nations, PM said that India is sincerely fulfilling its global obligations along with saving human lives on its own land.
PM further said that the four truths given by Lord Buddha namely compassion, mercy, equanimity towards pleasure and pain, and accepting everything as it is have been the country’s constant inspiration.
PM quoted, “Buddha is the symbol of both realisation of India and self-realisation of India. With this self-realisation, India is working in the interest of the world and would continue doing so for the entire humanity.”
He also praised the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) for dedicating the Buddha Purnima festival to the frontline workers around the globe, who are engaged in tackling the COVID-19 crisis.
Prayer ceremonies on the occasion will be streamed live from the Sacred Garden Lumbini, Nepal,Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya, India,Mulgandha Kuti Vihara, Sarnath, India, Parinirvana Stupa, Kushinagar, India, Pirith Chanting from Ruwanweli Maha Seya in the sacred and historic Anuradhapura stupa premises, Sri Lanka, Boudhanath, Swayambhu, Namo Stupa, Nepal apart from other popular Buddhist sites.