Kushinagar, Oct 20 :Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the teachings of Lord Buddha gave motivation to the country to become self-reliant and the world should follow his preachings to achieve their goals.
” Lord Buddha had said – “Appa Deepo Bhava”. which means ” be your own lamp”. When a person is self-illuminated, then he gives light to the world as well.
This is the motivation for India to become self-reliant. This is the inspiration that gives us the strength to participate in the progress of every country in the world,” PM said.
Addressing an international Buddhist conclave on the occasion of Abhidhamma Day here on Wednesday, Mr Modi claimed that when the world today talks about environmental protection, expresses its concern about climate change, then many questions arise with it . But, if we follow Buddha’s message, instead of ‘Who to do’, ‘What to do’, the path starts showing itself, he said while adding Lord Buddha is universal because Lord Buddha says to start from within and Buddha’s Buddha-hood is,- sense of ultimate responsibility.
Talking about India’s approach toward Buddhism, he said,” Buddha is still the inspiration of the Constitution of India, Buddha’s Dhamma Chakra is sitting on the tricolor of India and giving us momentum.”
” Even today, if someone goes to the Parliament of India, then this mantra is definitely seen – ‘Dharma Chakra Pravartanaya.” he added.
” Today is another important occasion- Lord Buddha’s coming back to earth from Tushita heaven! That is why, on Ashwin Purnima today, our monks also complete their three-month ‘Varshavas’.,” .
Mr Modi said I too had the privilege of donating ‘cheevar’ to Sangh monks after Varshavas today.
The PM said,” We all know that the message of Buddhism in Sri Lanka was first carried from India by Emperor Ashoka’s son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra. It is believed that on this day, ‘Arhat Mahinda’ came back and told his father that Sri Lanka had accepted the Buddha’s message with so much energy.”
” This news had increased the belief that Buddha’s message is for the whole world, Buddha’s Dhamma is for humanity,” he added.
Before addressing the conclave, PM Modi presented ‘Chivar’ to Buddhist Monks during an event organised to mark Abhidhamma Day . The event is being attended by eminent Monks from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, South Korea, Nepal, Bhutan and Cambodia, as well as Ambassadors of various countries.
Earlier, Mr Modi along with UP governor Anandiben Patel and chief minister Yogi Adityanath, visited the Mahaparinarvana temple and offered flowers on Lord Buddha.
He also planted a sapling and went around an exhibition on Lord Buddha at the Mahaparinarvana premises.
On the occasion, Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa, who is the son of the Prime Minister, thanked PM Narendra Modi for his support to his country.
” I would like to thank PM Modi for extending and grant of Rs 50 million dollars to Sri Lanka to strengthen the Buddhist ties between our two nations, Mr Rajapaksa said.
He also said the Sri Lankan delegation will also visit Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Mr Modi.
Claiming that Sri Lanka has a good relationship with India, the minister said India’s holy book Bhagwad Gita have been translated in all languages in Sri Lanka , which is rendering people spiritual knowledge.
