On the occasion of Buddha Jayanti or Purnima marking the birth of Gautam Buddha, the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the event celebrating the occasion on Monday. The PM while inaugurating the celebratory event attended by Buddhists from different countries, offered donations to them as ‘Sangha Dana’.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the Buddha Jayanti celebrations organised by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC). The event was also attended by Culture Minister Dr Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju and International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) Secretary-General Dr Dhammapiya.” said the report in The Indian Express.
While speaking at the event, PM Modi said that India does not make distinctions between religions and has no history of attacking other countries or other schools of thought.
“Indian religions do not force anyone to join them, nor do they show kindness to only those who are in the fold. They are for everyone,” the prime minister said at the event adding that India is proud to be origin of Buddha’s teachings based on compassion and humanity, “In today’s world, humanity and compassion have become even more relevant.”
According to the report, Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju and International Buddhist Confederation Secretary-General Dhammapiya attended the event where he also presented the “Vaishakh Sammaan Prashasti Patra” to the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, and the All India Bhikshu Sangha, Bodh Gaya.
Photo: Tai Situ Rinpoche presenting PM Modi a Tibetan ceremonial scarf. Courtesy: The Indian Express
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