Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the SAMVAD programme virtually organised in Thailand on Friday. During his address, he stated that Thailand signifies a great example of the shared philosophical and spiritual traditions of Asia.
Underscoring the strong cultural ties between India and Thailand, spanning over two thousand years, PM Modi said in a video message that the Ramayana and Ramakien connect the two nations along with their common reverence for Buddha unites them.
He pointed out that when India sent sacred relics of Bhagwan Buddha to Thailand last year, millions of devotees came forward to pay their respects. PM Modi highlighted the strong partnership between India and Thailand across various sectors, emphasising how India’s ‘Act East’ policy aligns with Thailand’s ‘Act West’ policy, fostering shared progress and prosperity, according to a government statement.
Discussing the theme of SAMVAD, which envisions the Asian Century, Modi noted that while discussions often focus on Asia’s economic rise, this conference underscores that the Asian Century is not just about economic power but also about cultural and social values. He stressed that Buddha’s teachings offer a path toward a peaceful and progressive future, emphasising their relevance in shaping a human-centric world.
Referring to Nalanda Mahavihara as one of history’s greatest universities, which was destroyed centuries ago due to conflict, the Prime Minister highlighted India’s resilience in reviving it as a center for learning. He expressed confidence that with Buddha’s blessings, Nalanda University would once again achieve its former prominence.
Efforts Of Various Nations Over Buddha’s Teachings
He also underscored India’s efforts to promote Pali, the language in which Buddha delivered his teachings, by officially recognising it as a classical language to preserve its rich literary heritage. Additionally, he mentioned the launch of the Gyan Bharatam mission, aimed at identifying and cataloging ancient manuscripts, ensuring their documentation and digitalisation for the benefit of Buddhist scholars worldwide.
Modi underlined the collaboration with several countries over the past decade to promote Buddha’s teachings. He highlighted that the First Asian Buddhist Summit was recently organised in India. The theme of the summit was ‘The Role of Buddha Dhamma in Strengthening Asia,’ and previously, India hosted the First Global Buddhist Summit.
He spoke about the privilege of laying the foundation stone for the India International Center for Buddhist Culture & Heritage in Lumbini, Nepal, as well as India’s role in building the Lumbini Museum. He also highlighted the reprinting and distribution of the ‘Concise Orders’ of Lord Buddha, the 108-volume Mongolian Kanjur, to monasteries in Mongolia. Additionally, he emphasized that India’s efforts in preserving monuments across various countries reflect its deep commitment to upholding Buddha’s legacy.
In the end, the Prime Minister noted that it is encouraging to see this edition of SAMVAD hosting a religious roundtable, bringing together leaders from different faiths. He expressed confidence that meaningful insights from this platform would contribute to fostering a more harmonious world.
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