President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the first Asian Buddhist Summit in New Delhi, emphasizing the role of Buddhism in fostering peace and countering sectarianism. Here are the main points from her address:
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Buddhism as an Antidote to Global Crises: In a world grappling with conflict and climate change, President Murmu highlighted the power of Buddhist teachings to combat narrow sectarianism and promote peace and non-violence.
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Compassion as a Guiding Principle: The President stressed that “karuna” or compassion lies at the heart of Buddha Dharma, offering a much-needed solution to the world’s current challenges.
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Promoting Peace Beyond Physical Non-Violence: Ms. Murmu called for a broader understanding of peace, encompassing not just the absence of physical violence but also freedom from greed and hatred, which she identified as the root causes of suffering.
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Preservation of Buddhist Teachings: The President lauded the Indian government’s efforts in preserving Buddhist teachings by granting classical language status to Pali and Prakrit, ensuring financial support for their revitalization.
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Strengthening Asian Bonds Through Buddhism: Ms. Murmu emphasized the importance of discussing the role of Buddha Dharma in strengthening Asia and bringing peace to the region and the world.
This summit aims to foster dialogue and collaboration amongst Buddhist nations, highlighting the enduring relevance of Buddhist principles in addressing contemporary global issues.