Buddha renounced luxury to enlighten the world: MLA Srivatsa
Buddha gave up a life of luxury to become a guiding light for all humanity, said MLA for Krishnaraja T.S. Srivatsa on Monday.
'The very name 'Buddha' signifies light. Even today, his life and teachings continue to inspire and guide us,' he remarked.
Mr. Srivatsa was speaking at the inauguration of Bhagawan Buddha Jayanthi held at Kalamandir in Mysuru. The event was jointly organised by the district administration, the Department of Kannada and Culture, and the Bhagawan Buddha Jayantotsava Committee.
Recalling the transformation of Prince Siddhartha into Gautama Buddha, Mr. Srivatsa said, 'While traveling through his kingdom, Buddha encountered a sick man, an elderly person, and a corpse. These experiences profoundly moved him. When he sought answers from his guru, he was told that only through renunciation could he attain true awareness.'
'Following 26 years of intense penance, he attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree and became a beacon for the world,' Mr. Srivatsa added. 'It was through his teachings that Buddhism emerged and spread across the globe.'
Additional Deputy Commissioner P. Shivaraju spoke on the relevance of Buddha's message. 'Buddha is the light of the world. We celebrate the birth anniversaries of only a select few thinkers and visionaries. Though over 2,500 years have passed since his lifetime, Buddha continues to reside in our hearts,' he said.
Kalyana Siri Bhante of the Vishwa Maitri Buddha Vihara highlighted the spiritual significance of Vaishakha Purnima, saying, 'This day is truly unique — Buddha was born, attained enlightenment, and entered Mahaparinirvana on the same date. No other historical figure has experienced these three milestones on a single day.'
He described the pre-Buddha era as a time of ignorance, noting that the advent of Buddha gave light to the entire world.
Scholar and writer Rahmat Tarikere elaborated on the broader spiritual and cultural relevance of the occasion. 'Buddha Purnima, also known as Vaishakha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti, is one of the most sacred days for Buddhists worldwide. It commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana of Gautama Buddha and is observed with deep devotion, spiritual reflection, and cultural reverence. The day symbolises peace, compassion, and mindfulness.'
V.N. Mallikarjuna Swamy, Joint Director of the Department of Kannada and Culture; M.D. Sudarshan, assistant director; Sevana Bhante, director of Mahabodhi; representatives from Jagannath Bodhi Sattva Charitable Trust and the Karnataka Buddhist Dharma Committee; K.R. Gopal Krishna of Arivu Buddha Jnana Kendra, and others were present.
Earlier in the day, Mysuru district in-charge Minister H.C. Mahadevappa inaugurated a grand procession as part of the Bhagawan Buddha Jayanthi celebrations.
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In the next article, the author will explore how various divisions evolved within Buddhism and how they spread across Asia.) Share your thoughts and ideas on UPSC Special articles with Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
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