After four political visits of Bihar in 45 days, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday landed in Bodh Gaya, 110 km from here, for a spiritual visit to offer prayers, meditate at the Mahabodhi temple and address the participants at the concluding session of the Hindu-Buddhist Conclave which began in New Delhi on Thursday.
The PM favoured that Gaya should be developed as the spiritual capital of Buddhist World and added that he felt like calling India as ‘Buddhist India.’ Addressing the representatives from several Buddhist countries, Modi stressed on conflict avoidance and environmental consciousness. “Conflict situations generally arise on account of the tendency of radical elements of some religions to impose their belief on others,” he said.
In his 20-minutes speech the PM dwelt at commonality of themes and beliefs of both Hindu and Buddhist systems. And added there was so much in common between Hinduism and Buddhism. He also referred to the coincidence of the day observed as Janmashtmi and said like Buddha, Krishna too wanted to establish a system in which the truth ultimately prevailed over evil forces.
Modi is the third Prime Minister to visit this sacred place after Jawaharlal Nehru and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He said, “I feel blessed to be here at this sacred seat of Buddhism.”
The PM reached the holy town at 11 in the morning driving straight from the Gaya airport and went inside the sanctum sanctorum where he lit the candles and stood below the giant statue of Buddha, hands folded and eyes shut amid chanting of hymns by the saffron robbed monks He was accompanied by Bihar Governor Ramnath Kovind. From there they proceeded to the Vajrasan, under the sacred Bodhi tree wjhere Buddha attained enlightenment, and squatted on the ground in a meditative posture. The monks continued their hymns for nearly 15 minutes. He also went through a museum.
Modi said, “I consider this Hindu Buddhist conference on conflict avoidance and environmental consciousness an important event I also echo Japan PM Shinzo Abe who the other day highlighted the importance of tolerance. When radical elements try to force their ideologies on others then issues of conflict arise.” He said the conflict avoidance is the most effective conflict resolution mechanism.
The conclave was attended by Japan Foreign Minister Tsutomu Nakagawa and the Bhutan Foreign Minister lN Dorje, besides a number of foreign dignitaries and diplomats. Union Minister of state for Home Kiren Rijiju was also present. Earlier the PM was received at the airport by governor Kovind and Bihar Minister Shyam Rajak. Heavy security had been made form the PM’s visit as the Maoists had called for a bandh today in Magadh division.