Bhutan’s Princess Ashi Sonal Denchan Wangchuk inaugurated second international Dharm-Dhamma symposium here on Saturday. The inaugural session was presided over by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Apart from India, Vedic and Buddhist scholars from USA, Norway, Sri lanka, Bhutan, Korea, Vietnam, Myanmar etc are also attending the symposium.
Princess Wangchuk said that similar values and philosophy of life of India and Bhutan cement emotional bonds between the two countries. She said that she has come here as a friend of India carrying Bhutan King’s concept of Gross National Happiness. She said that norms of permanent satisfaction and development should be education, health and other resources available to common people.
In the presidential address, Chouhan said that all human beings wish and aspire for long and happy life. A number of philosophies and ways of worship have come into existence as a result of this. Chouhan said that norms of happiness are different for different people. Some people find happiness in wealth and materialistic life. Indian philosophy wishes happy and disease-free life for all. It teaches principle of Vashudhaiv Kutumbakam considering entire world as one family.
He said that lord Buddha’s ideals of mercy, compassion, love, humanism and Ashtang philosophy can pave way for happy life in world burning in fire of materialism. Chouhan said that this international Dharm-Dhamma symposium will give message of humanism to the world. Welcoming Bhutanese Princess, he said that ties between India and Bhutan will not only continue but will also cement further. Senior Sri lankan Minister Sarath Amunugama, Chancellor of Sanchi Buddhist and Indic Studies University Ven Samdhong Rimpoche and lankan Buddhist scholar Vengala Upatista Nayak also spoke on the occasion.
It was informed at the programme that Sanchi university’s next session will commence with a new course. Chancellor of Sitagu International Buddhist Academy Vengala Ashin Nyanisara got released booklet of proposed new course by the guests. Chouhan got down from the stage to felicitate experts of Buddhist philosophy Prof Ramashankar Tripathi, Prof lokeshwar, Prof Angraj Choudhary, Prof Sagarmal Jain, Prof K Ramkrishna Rao and Sanchi University’s Prof Samtham Rimpoche.