One of India's top ministers reiterates Indian Prime Minister's stand, announced at the United Nations, using Buddhist principles to create peace around the world.
On the first night of the festival of faith, where the relics of Sariputta and Moggallana, the right and left disciples of the Lord Buddha, were invited, which was held at the Mahabodhi Vihara, Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, Republic of India, people from India, Sri Lanka and other countries continuously flocked to pay homage. On the first night, there was a presentation on Buddhist philosophy, which was inaugurated by Mr. Sri Kiran Rijiju, Union Minister of Parliamentary and Minority Affairs, and speeches were given by dignitaries.
The Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs said that Buddhists all over the world wish to visit India once in their lifetime, especially the holy city of Sanchi and the Prime Minister of India has been sending a message to the United Nations since 2014 that India promotes peace following the path of Lord Buddha for prosperity and peace in the world. In 2014, the United Nations has resolved to celebrate Buddha Jayanti under the leadership of the Government of India.
“Buddha Jayanti” means the celebration of the 2,600th anniversary of the enlightenment of the Lord Buddha. The United Nations has collaborated with all countries where Buddhism is the main religion, such as India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, and Bhutan, to organize activities emphasizing the teachings of the Lord Buddha and creating harmony among all religions.
The celebration of the festival of the relics of the Arahant at Sanchi began in 1952 and has been going on for 72 years.
While Dr. Supachai Verapuchong, Secretary-General of Bodhigaya Vijjalaya 980 Institute, mentioned the 1st and 2nd Dhammayatra Projects of 5 Countries, which started from 5 countries in the Mekong Basin, namely Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand, which are Buddhists who seem to have the same father, the Lord Buddha, and the same mother, the Mekong River. The 3rd Dhammayatra Project is to invite the relics of the Lord Buddha and the relics of the Arahants of Sariputta and Moggallana from Sanchi to be temporarily enshrined in Thailand early this year, which is the starting point of The 4th Dhammayatra to Buddhabhoomi : Mekong- Ganga Declaration on Dhamma Century, as if to bring back the prosperity of Buddhism to the motherland and connect the relationship between East Asia, South Asia and Southeast Asia.
The invitation of the relics of the chief disciples from the secure chamber for the public to pay homage has received attention from the media from India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Japan, as every year. This year, they were interested in Dr. Supachai Verapuchong, Secretary-General of Bodhigaya Vijjalaya 980 Institute, who joined the event at the invitation of Venerable Upatissa Thero, President of Sanchi Buddhist Monastery and President of the Maha Bodhi Society of Sri Lanka, who joined the 3rd Dhammayatra project to approve the invitation of the relics to be temporarily enshrined in Thailand, the first time in 72 years. Phra Upatissa Thero accompanied Dr. Supachai throughout the 28 days of enshrining in Thailand.
