New Delhi, Feb 14
Namo Buddhaya!
It is an honor to join you all for this edition of SAMVAD in Thailand. Many distinguished institutions and individuals from India, Japan, and Thailand are working tirelessly to make this event possible. I commend all of them for their efforts and extend my greetings to all participants.
Friends,
I take this opportunity to remember my friend, Mr. Shinzo Abe. In 2015, the idea of SAMVAD emerged from my conversations with him. Since then, SAMVAD has traveled across various countries, fostering debate, dialogue, and deeper understanding.
I am delighted that this edition of SAMVAD is taking place in Thailand. Thailand has a rich culture, history, and heritage. It stands as a beautiful example of the shared philosophical and spiritual traditions of Asia.
India and Thailand share deep cultural ties that span over two thousand years. The Ramayana and Ramakien connect us. Our shared reverence for Bhagwan Buddha unites us. Last year, when we sent holy relics of Bhagwan Buddha to Thailand, millions of devotees paid their respects. Our nations also share a vibrant partnership across multiple sectors. India’s ‘Act East’ policy and Thailand’s ‘Act West’ policy complement each other, promoting mutual progress and prosperity. This conference marks another successful chapter in our friendship.
The theme of SAMVAD speaks of the Asian Century. When people use this term, they often refer to Asia’s economic rise. However, this conference highlights that the Asian Century is not just about economic value but also about social values. The teachings of Bhagwan Buddha can guide the world in creating a peaceful and progressive era. His wisdom holds the power to lead us towards a human-centric future.
One of the core themes of SAMVAD is conflict avoidance. Often, conflicts arise from the belief that only our path is correct while all others are wrong. Bhagwan Buddha offers insight into this issue:
“इमेसु किर सज्जन्ति, एके समणब्राह्मणा |
विग्गय्ह नं विवदन्ति,
जना एकंगदस्सिनो ||”
This means that some people cling to their own views and argue, seeing only one side as true. But multiple perspectives can exist on the same issue. This is why the Rig Veda states:
“एकं सद्विप्रा बहु॒धा वदन्ति |”
When we acknowledge that truth may be seen through different lenses, we can avoid conflict.
Another cause of conflict is perceiving others as fundamentally different from ourselves. Differences lead to distance, and distance can turn into discord. To counter this, a verse from the Dhammapada states:
“सब्बे तसन्ति दण्डस्स, सब्बे भायन्ति मच्चुनो |
अत्तानं उपमं कत्वा, न हनेय्य न घातये ||”
This means that everyone fears pain and death. By recognizing others as similar to ourselves, we can ensure that no harm or violence occurs. If these words are followed, conflict can be avoided.
Many of the world’s issues stem from taking extreme positions rather than a balanced approach. Extreme views lead to conflicts, environmental crises, and even stress-related health problems. The solution to such challenges lies in the teachings of Bhagwan Buddha. He urged us to follow the Middle Path and avoid extremes. The principle of moderation remains relevant today and offers guidance in addressing global challenges.
Today, conflicts extend beyond people and nations—humanity is increasingly in conflict with nature. This has led to an environmental crisis that threatens our planet. The answer to this challenge lies in the shared traditions of Asia, rooted in the principles of Dham
Today, we face a serious environmental crisis where humanity is harming nature. The solution to this problem lies in the teachings of Asian traditions, which encourage us to live in harmony with nature. These teachings, from Hinduism, Buddhism, Shintoism, and others, remind us that we are part of nature, not separate from it. Mahatma Gandhi’s idea of trusteeship teaches us to use resources wisely and not out of greed, so future generations can also benefit.
I am from Vadnagar, a small town in India that was once a place of learning for Buddhists. Now, I represent Varanasi in Parliament, which includes Sarnath, the place where Buddha gave his first sermon. It’s a beautiful coincidence that places linked to Buddha’s life have also shaped my journey.
India’s government shows its respect for Buddha through our policies. We have improved tourism in places connected to Buddhism. We launched the ‘Buddha Purnima Express’ train to help people visit these sites. The opening of the Kushinagar International Airport is another step to help international pilgrims. We are also developing Bodh Gaya to improve its infrastructure, and I invite pilgrims and scholars from all over the world to visit India, the land of Buddha.
Nalanda University was once one of the greatest universities in the world but was destroyed long ago. Today, we are rebuilding it as a center of learning. With Buddha’s blessings, we believe Nalanda will return to its former glory. We are also promoting the Pali language, which Buddha used to teach, by declaring it a classical language and preserving its literature. Our ‘Gyan Bharatam’ mission will help preserve and digitize ancient manuscripts for scholars of Buddhism.
India has worked with many countries to spread Buddha’s teachings. We recently hosted the First Asian Buddhist Summit with the theme ‘The Role of Buddha Dhamma in Strengthening Asia.’ We also hosted the First Global Buddhist Summit. I laid the foundation stone for the India International Center for Buddhist Culture & Heritage in Lumbini, Nepal, and India has helped build the Lumbini Museum. We have also reprinted the Mongolian Kanjur of 108 volumes and sent them to monasteries in Mongolia. Our work in preserving Buddhist monuments worldwide shows our commitment to Buddha’s teachings.
It’s great to see that this edition of SAMVAD is holding a roundtable with religious leaders from various faiths. I’m sure this meeting will bring new ideas for creating a peaceful world. I thank the people and government of Thailand for hosting this conference and wish everyone success in advancing this important mission. May the light of Buddha’s teachings guide us toward a peaceful, prosperous future.
(Source: PIB)
