As world battles Covid, Buddha’s teachings serve as beacon: President, Prime Minister

New Delhi, July 4

Noting that the teachings of Lord Buddha were as relevant in the current times as they were earlier, both President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi said as the world fought extraordinary challenges, his message served like a beacon.

‘Buddhism teaches respect’

Today, the world fights extraordinary challenges. To these, lasting solutions can come from the ideals of Lord Buddha. They were relevant in the past. They are relevant in the present. And, they will remain relevant in the future. Buddhism teaches respect. — Narendra Modi, PM

Addressing the Dhamma Chakra Day celebrations, organised by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in partnership with Ministry of Culture, Kovind said Lord Buddha’s cure for human suffering remains as relevant today as it was over two-and-half millennia ago.

“There is no doubt that the urgency of abiding by the values that Buddha preached is eternal...Today, as the pandemic ravages human lives and economies across the globe, the Buddha’s message serves like a beacon. He advised people to shun greed, hatred, violence, jealousy and many other vices to find happiness,” he said. Kovind said in India, Buddhism is seen as a fresh expression of the sublime truth.

Dhamma Chakra Day is celebrated all over the world to commemorate the first sermon that Gautama Buddha gave to his five ascetic disciples.

The Prime Minister in his virtual address said that in his first sermon at Sarnath, Lord Buddha referred to hope and purpose. For Lord Buddha, it was the removal of human suffering. “We have to rise to the occasion and do whatever we can to increase hope among people,” he said. Modi also said that India’s start-up sector is a great example of how hope, innovation and compassion can remove suffering. “Bright young minds are finding solutions to global problems. India has one of the largest start-up ecosystems,” he said.

Recalling the eight-fold path of Lord Buddha, Modi said it shows the way towards the well-being of many societies and nations. It highlights the importance of compassion and kindness, he said adding that the teachings of Lord Buddha celebrate simplicity. — PTI

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