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Raisen/Bhopal, 30 November (HS). Kiren Rijiju, Minister of Minority and Parliamentary Affairs, Government of India, said that the people of Madhya Pradesh will realize how close to a holy place they live. The sanctity and knowledge of the Buddhist Stupa of Sanchi is famous in the country and abroad. People who believe in Buddhism all over the world definitely have a desire to visit India in their lifetime and definitely see the holy city of Sanchi.
Union Minister Rijiju was addressing the 72nd Mahabodhi Mahotsav at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Sanchi located in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh late Saturday evening. He inaugurated the two-day Mahabodhi Mahotsav organized at Buddha Jambudip Park in the world famous tourist city of Sanchi by lighting the lamp. On this occasion, Chief Vangal Uptis Nayak Thero of Mahabodhi Society, Minister of State for Health Shri Narendra Shivaji Patel, District Panchayat President Shri Yashwant Meena, Sanchi MLA Dr. Prabhuram Chaudhary were also present.
For peace and welfare, we have to follow the path shown by Lord Buddha: Rijiju
Addressing the festival, Union Minister Rijiju said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a message to the world in the United Nations in 2014 that India has given the world Buddha, not war. After Emperor Ashoka, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given such a big message to the world. For prosperity and peace in this world one has to take refuge in Lord Buddha. Under the leadership of the Government of India, the committee decided to celebrate Buddha Jayanti in the year 2014. He said that if any country wants to make an impact in the world, it will have to follow the path of peace shown by Lord Buddha. The world will remain happy and prosperous only by following this path. Buddha Vihar and other places will be developed.
Union Minister Rijiju said that India is not an ordinary country, it has been giving the message of peace to the people for centuries. Referring to Sanchi Mahotsav, he said that celebration of Sanchi Mahotsav was started in the year 1952 under the leadership of Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. This festival is being celebrated since then. Sanchi houses the bone remains of two great disciples of Lord Buddha, Sariputra and Mahamodgalayana. India has a heritage of tradition and spirituality.
Mahabodhi Society Chief Wangal Uptis Nayak Thero, Sanchi MLA Dr. Prabhuram Chaudhary also addressed. Collector Arvind Dubey, Superintendent of Police Pankaj Pandey were also present on this occasion. Cultural presentations based on Buddhist arts: On the first day of the Mahabodhi Mahotsav, various cultural programs based on Buddhist arts were presented by eminent artists. In the first series of cultural programs, Japanese folk dance and singing were presented. After this, the Mahanatya Dhammachakra based on the life story of Lord Buddha was presented by the artists of Kriti Theater and Sports Academy, Nagpur. In the next episode of the program, devotional music was presented by Bhopal Aakriti Mehra and friends.
Earlier, in the 72nd two-day Mahabodhi Mahotsav, the procession was first taken out from Mahabodhi Society. The procession reached Chaityagiri Bihar temple. Followers of Buddhism from Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Japan, Singapore and America participated in the yatra. Madhya Pradesh Minister Prahlad Patel also participated in the festival. The sacred bones of Sariputra and Mahamodgalyan, the supreme disciples of Lord Gautam Buddha, were opened from the basement of Chaityagiri Bihar temple in the presence of district administration officials and officials of Mahabodhi Society. Special worship was done to him. Devotees of Buddhism from India and abroad were present during the worship.
The scholars who participated in the program inspired them to imbibe Lord Buddha’s message of peace in life. On this occasion, Chief of Sri Lanka Mahabodhi Society, Chief Sangha Nayak of Lankaji Temple Japan, Pujya Bangal Upatissa Nayak Thero and senior IPS officer Anuradha Shankar were also present.
State Panchayat Rural Development Minister Prahlad Patel participated in the Mahabodhi Mahotsav on the first day. He participated in the worship of the ashes. Mahabodhi Society Chief Bangal Upatis Nayak Thero Sahitya and other officials took Minister Pahlad Patel inside the courtyard of Chaitigiri Bihar Temple. After the entire process, the ashes were brought out. On this occasion, he said that this is not a fair but a holy day, on this day people come not only from India but from outside countries, remember those memories once and also get a chance to see the holy ashes. This opportunity comes once a year. Regarding the Ashti Kalash going to Thailand, he said that I will also remember the country’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the public sentiments and the satisfaction he has given to the minds of the devotees by taking the Ashti Kalash out. This is the feeling of family.