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Prime Minister Modi addressed the opening session of the World Buddhist Summit in Delhi. (File) Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that the world is facing challenges such as war, economic instability, terrorism, religious extremism and climate change, saying Lord Buddha's ideas offer a solution to these problems. Addressing the opening session of the World Buddhism Summit in Delhi, Prime Minister Modi lashed out at rich countries, saying the world is currently facing a climate change crisis because in the last century "some countries have stopped thinking in others and in future generations.
“For decades they continued to think that meddling with nature would not affect them. They kept imposing it on others,” he said.
Soulignant that the voie indicée par le Seigneur Bouddha est la "voie de l'avenir et de la durabilité", the Premier ministere également declaré that "si le monde avait suivi ses enseignements, il n'aurait pas fait face à la crise du climate change".
In his speech, Prime Minister Modi cited ancient texts on Lord Buddha's teachings, saying the need of the hour is for people and nations to prioritize global interests over their own, inspired by Buddha's philosophy.
This is the path to a happy and stable world. This is necessary to move from the self to the wider world, from the narrow to the holistic approach, the prime minister said, adding that the world will have to think about the poor and countries that lack resources.
Drawing inspiration from Lord Buddha's teachings, India is taking new initiatives for global well-being, he said.
Prime Minister Modi claimed that India had followed the path indicated by the Buddha, citing the country that provides aid to others, including Turkey after being hit by an earthquake, to say that it treats the pain of every human being as its own.
“From challenges to solutions is the journey of the Buddha ('samasya se samadhan'). The Buddha did not leave his palace because he felt uncomfortable, he left because he saw and felt the pain of others," he said.
It is universally accepted that today is "the most difficult time of the century", Prime Minister Modi said.
“Two countries are at war, the world is going through economic instability, terrorism and religious extremism attack the soul of humanity, the climate change crisis looms over humanity, glaciers are melting, ecology is being destroyed”, the species they disappear. there are millions of people, like those sitting here, who have faith in Buddha. This faith gives strength,” he said.
Among the audience were delegates from 30 countries plus India. Prominent Buddhist monks, scholars, ambassadors and diplomats will attend the summit organized by the Ministry of Culture in conjunction with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) on April 20-21 at the Ashok Hotel in Delhi.
The theme of the two-day summit is "Answers to Contemporary Challenges: From Philosophy to Practice."
Prime Minister Modi, in his speech, recalled his speech at the United Nations a few years ago and said, "India did not give world war, Buddha gave." In his opening address, the Prime Minister said that "this land of Buddha has the philosophy of 'Atithi Devo Bhava' and the presence of so many revered Buddhist monks from various parts of the world who follow their teachings makes us feel the presence of Lord Buddha. ".
Lord Buddha is consciousness beyond a person, thought beyond form, and Buddha consciousness is eternal and everlasting, Prime Minister Modi said.
He said the summit will provide an "effective platform" to unite the efforts of all countries to achieve a peaceful and prosperous world while promoting sustainability.
Platforms like IBC provide opportunities for "like-minded and heart-bound countries" to spread the Buddha Dhamma and peace, Prime Minister Modi said.
Prime Minister Modi noted that his government has constantly strived to propagate the ideas of the Buddha and underlined the deep ties Buddhism has with Gujarat's Vadnagar, its birthplace where archaeological artifacts have been found, and its Lok Sabha constituency, Varanasi. , near Sarnath. .
He said the summit comes at a time when India has completed 75 years of independence and is celebrating "Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav". The world looks at this country of 140 million people, understands it and accepts it too, Prime Minister Modi said.
Union Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy said: “This global Buddhist summit will also help strengthen cultural and diplomatic ties with other countries. Discussions on peace, the environment, morality, health and sustainability, among others, will take place during the summit, he said.
Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju said: “India is the cradle of Buddhism. By hosting this summit, India is not only doing its duty but also showing the way forward."
Le Prime Minister Modi, dans son allocution, a mis l'accent sur la durabilité et a declaré que chaque action de l'homme, du choix des vêtements, de l'alimentation et des véhicules utilisés pour voyager, an impact sur l' environment.
"If we work together, we can also address this problem, as Mission Life (Lifestyle for Environment) envisions. If we are to move in the right direction, we will have to go beyond our own self-interest and the Buddha must not simply be a 'pratik' but also a 'pratibimb'", he said.
Before his speech, the Prime Minister visited a photo exhibition and offered flowers to a statue of Lord Buddha.
He also gifted monk's robes (Chivar Dana) to 19 prominent monks, the PMO said.
