PM Modi attends global Buddhist conclave in Bodh Gaya

Bihar minister Shayam Razak received Modi in the Buddhist holy city as the state government representative, as the chief minister was busy with other engagements in Patna, said ruling Janata Dal-United spokesperson Neeraj Kumar. “I have the honour of visting Bodh Gaya after Pandit Nehru and Atal ji”.

Describing Buddha as a “crown jewel” of India, which accepts all ways of worship, he said he revered Buddha as a reformer of not only Hinduism but also the world, who gave a new world view and vision which is critical for survival of all.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday visited holy city of Bodh Gaya to attend the concluding ceremony of the three-day global Buddhist conclave that began in Delhi. This is the land where Lord Buddha, who was born in 563 BC as Siddhartha in a town now in Nepal, attained enlightenment after meditating for six years. Modi gave a great discourse on the Gautam Buddha, speaking about his enlightenment and his sacrifice.

The prime minister added that he was happy and blessed to visit Bodh Gaya. These two divine souls had the strength to bring people together, rising above differences.

The Prime Minister’s visit to Bodh Gaya coincides with Day 3 of Samvad – the Global Hindu Buddhist Initiative on Conflict Avoidance and Environment Consciousness, during which the delegates for this event will be present at Bodh Gaya. “Buddha’s teaching are more practical and relevant today than ever before”, Modi added.

“On the issue of conflicts, most of which are driven by religious intolerance, participants have agreed that while there is no problem about the freedom to practice one’s religion, it is when radical elements try to force their own ideologies on others that the potential for conflict arises”, Modi said.