By Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI: The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, in his message on the occasion of Buddha Purnima has said “On the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima, I extend my greetings and best wishes to all my fellow citizens and followers of Lord Buddha all over the world. The message of Lord Buddha inspires us to serve humanity with love, truth, compassion and by way of non-violence.
His life and ideals reinforce our belief in the eternal values like equality, harmony and justice. At a time, when we are facing an unprecedented crisis in the form of COVID-19, we should come forward to help those in need and thereby follow the path shown by Lord Buddha. May this pious festival inspire us to follow the teachings of Lord Buddha and strengthen the spirit of harmony amongst us”.
The Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu has wished people on the eauspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima. “Greetings to countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima celebrated to mark the Jayanti of Lord Buddha. Lord Buddha inspired humanity to follow the path of truth, righteousness and honesty. His teachings have shown the path of liberating people through spiritual awakening.
His message of peace, truth and compassion enlightened the world and is relevant for all times.In these testing times of COVID-19 pandemic, we all need to follow the principles of universal love, tolerance and compassion and extend a helping hand to the needy and poor. We must also show our gratitude to the frontline warriors, who are risking their lives to save others in this battle against Coronavirus.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shall be participating in the Buddha Purnima celebrations on Thursday. Ministry of Culture, Government of India in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), a global Buddhist umbrella organization is holding a Virtual Prayer Event with the participation of all the supreme heads of the Buddhist Sanghas from around the world.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shall be delivering the keynote address in the morning.Buddha Purnima celebrations are being held through a Virtual Visak day owing to the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic across the globe.The event is being organised in honour of the Victims and the frontline warriors of COVID-19.
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
Minister of Culture and Minister of Tourism Prahlad Singh Patel and Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Youth Affairs & Sports Kiren Rijiju shall also be participating in the event.Vesak- Buddha Poornima, is considered the Triple Blessed Day as Tathagata Gautam Buddha’s Birth, Enlightenment and Maha Parnirvana.
