Adopt teachings of Lord Buddha: Himachal Sukhu
Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu participated in a programme organised on the occasion of Buddha Purnima at Sambhota Tibetan School in Shimla on Monday.
Extending his greetings on the occasion of Vaishakh Purnima and Lord Buddha's birth anniversary, the CM appealed all to imbibe the teachings of Lord Buddha in their lives to make a vibrant society.
He said, 'Lord Buddha gave us the mantra 'Appa Deepo Bhava', which means 'Be your own light'. This was the essence of self-reliance and continues to guide us in our journey towards building a self-reliant India.'
He said that Lord Buddha's teachings are as relevant today as they were in ancient times. 'In an age marked by violence, intolerance and distrust, Buddha's message offers a path of peace, compassion and tolerance. These were not mere teachings but a way of life,' he said
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Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
No archaeological evidence of violence between Buddhism and Hinduism in the past
India has been the progenitor of several faiths and religions. From time to time, several philosophers were born who contributed to the various schools of thought prevalent in this nation. These philosophies were also spread among the public which were gradually adopted into the ecosystem of social thought. Prominent among these philosophers were Gautam Buddha, Mahavir, Swami Charvak etc. It is also important to note here that the eternal ideology of India also gave equal opportunity to all religions to flourish. There was ideological difference of new religions from the age-old Vedic tradition, but it never gave rise to enmity and violence. Among these above sects, one sect which spread not only in India but the whole world like others was Buddhism Around 2600 years ago, Siddhartha Gautam, a Kshatriya, adopted the path of non-violence with an aim of eradicating the wrongdoings in the society. This led to the emergence of Buddhism. The philosophy of Buddhism primarily focused on the eradication of elaborate rituals and posed a contradiction against the virtues in the Vedic Hindu tradition, but this never gave rise to enmity between Hindus and Buddhists. Modern day history books and texts speak about the presence of enmity and violence between these groups which seems to be untrue on archeological grounds. Many historians have also written, based on ancient texts, that Hindu kings demolished Buddhist stupas. But the question is, is there any archeological evidence for this? The Shunga dynasty is considered to be the biggest enemy of the Buddhists and ruled around 2200 years Shunga king who ruled the large territory of India was a follower of the Vedic tradition, but did the Shungas break the Buddhist stupa? The answer is no, because the world famous Sanchi Stupa, which was built in the Maurya period, is safe till now only because stone casing was done on the entire stupa in the Shunga period. The vedika and pradaksinapath of stone were also built during the Sunga period. Not only this, the Torana gate was also built in Sanchiduring the time of the Satavahana kings, who were also followers of the Vedic tradition. These Torana gates are 4 in number and include panels of the life of Buddha and several anecdotes related to Buddhism. If these followers of the Vedic Hindu tradition were against Buddhism or there was any mutual enmity in the society, the protection of stupas and additional architectural features would not have been possible. Moreover, Buddhist stupas and Hindu temples have been built together in Sanchi. The main stupa is near Temple No. 17 which is one of the earliest examples of Hindu Temple and during the Gupta period, 4 statues of Buddha was built on the 4 Torana gates at Sanchi. This archeological evidence is a proof of the fact that the eternal tradition did not have any violent differences between the Hindu and Buddhist sects. In Ujjain, which is one of the oldest cities in India, a huge stupa was built around 2300 years ago by the Mauryan dynasty. Ujjain is also a big centre of Shaivism. Surprisingly, the 2300-year-old stupa is still completely preserved. Thus, if the story of breaking the stupas by Hindus in the history books is correct, then how is the huge stupa of Ujjain, which is known as Vaishya Tekri, safe? Although, due to decline in Buddhist population in the region, the rituals associated with the stupa discontinued over time and it became a mound with no maintenance. However, evidence of destruction is still not present in this monument. The biggest centre of Buddhism is Bodh Gaya, where construction work was done by Ashoka. The 'anti-Buddhist' Shungas took steps of renovation at this site. The vedikas built during the Gupta period is available for display at the Site Museum. In the later period a grand temple was built during the Gupta Dynasty who were followers of the Vedic tradition. As far as the history of Shashank, ruler of Gaud, is concerned about breaking the Bodhi tree, there are no material evidence for this event and is a fantasy. No archeological evidence is there for this incident. In addition to the above-mentioned descriptions, there are many archeological evidences that prove unfounded fanciful things like Hindu-Buddhist violence, destruction of each other's holy sites. Hinduism and Buddhism are two parts of the eternal tradition, there is definitely an ideological difference between them but there was no place for violence and there is no place for violence. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
India Gazette
5 days ago
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Holy relics of Lord Buddha return to India after extended revered tour across Vietnam
New Delhi [India], June 3 (ANI): The Holy Relics of Lord Buddha have returned to India after a month-long exposition tour across Vietnam. Originally scheduled to conclude on May 21, the exposition was extended until June 2 upon a special request by the Government of Vietnam, owing to the spiritually charged atmosphere and growing public reverence. During the extended tour, the sacred relics visited nine cities, drawing over 15 million devotees seeking the blessings of the Buddha, the Ministry of Culture said. The exposition was organised under the guidance of the Government of India and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), continuing a tradition of similar global outreach initiatives. Highlighting the significance of this initiative, Secretary General of the IBC, Shartse Khensur Jangchup Choeden Rinpoche, said, 'This entire programme was held under the guidance of the government of India and by the International Buddhist Confederation. We did this earlier as well; we went to Mongolia and Thailand, where Buddha relics were sent. In Vietnam, it has been around a month, people prayed and did darshan of holy Buddha relics...' Building on this spiritual momentum, Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati, Governor of Odisha and leader of the Government of India delegation escorting the relics, explained that the overwhelmingly positive response from people across different provinces in Vietnam prompted an official request for an extension. 'Different places, different provinces in Vietnam - the response from the people - they encouraged that this program should be continued to June 2. The Prime Minister of Vietnam requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to extend the program, and our Prime Minister has agreed. This was extended up to June 2...' The extension was subsequently approved by the Indian government following the Vietnamese Prime Minister's formal request to Prime Minister Modi. The sacred relics began their journey in Vietnam on May 3, starting from Ho Chi Minh City, and visited multiple sacred sites across the country. One of the most deeply spiritual and widely attended stops was at Yen Tu Pagoda in Quang Ninh Province, where thousands of devotees gathered to pray and chant. Yen Tu Pagoda holds significant religious and cultural importance in Vietnam, being the birthplace of the Truc Lam Zen sect founded over 700 years ago by King Tran Nhan Tong. The arrival of the relics at this revered site attracted millions, reinforcing the shared spiritual heritage between India and Vietnam. This month-long tour has not only revitalized ancient cultural and spiritual ties dating back nearly 2,000 years but also strengthened bilateral relations under India's Act East Policy. The relics have drawn millions of devotees across Vietnam, with over 15 million people paying their respects throughout the journey. The exposition concluded in the city of Danang, known for its Buddhist institutions and monasteries, where a large number of people gathered to offer their obeisance to the holy relics. This sacred journey symbolizes the enduring values of peace, harmony, and mutual respect, reflecting a profound cultural connection between India and Vietnam. (ANI)
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Time of India
Veer Savarkar Jayanti quotes 2025: 15+ powerful quotes to share on Indian freedom fighter's birth anniversary
Veer Savarkar Jayanti 2025 quotes: Veer Savarkar Jayanti is observed on May 28 every year to honour the birth anniversary of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, also known as Veer Savarkar. He was a freedom fighter, writer, politician and a key figure in the Hindu nationalist movement. Veer Savarkar Jayanti is a special day to remember his contributions to India's independence and social reform. Let us explore more about this great leader and share some inspiring wishes, quotes, messages, Instagram captions and WhatsApp status for Veer Savarkar Jayanti. Who Was Veer Savarkar? Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, popularly known as Veer Savarkar, was born on May 28, 1883. He was a strong supporter of Hindu unity and worked towards building a caste-free society. He believed in the reconversion of Hindus who had adopted other religions, promoting the idea of a united Hindu community. While imprisoned in Ratnagiri in 1922, Savarkar laid down the concept of Hindutva, a political ideology that later became the base for several Hindu nationalist movements. He was also a leading figure in the Hindu Mahasabha. His followers began calling him 'Veer', which means 'brave', to honour his courage and fearless attitude. Even today, Veer Savarkar's legacy remains a topic of discussion in Indian politics, but there is no doubt about his influence on Indian history. Why Celebrate Veer Savarkar Jayanti? Veer Savarkar Jayanti is celebrated not just to mark his birth but also to reflect on his ideologies and achievements. From fighting against British colonial rule to writing bold literature that inspired generations, Veer Savarkar's life is a symbol of patriotism and reform. On this day, people remember his ideas and pay tribute through messages, quotes, WhatsApp status updates, and public events. It's a perfect occasion to share Veer Savarkar Jayanti wishes with friends and family to spread awareness about his contributions. Veer Savarkar Jayanti Quotes "A true leader leads by example, inspires by action, and empowers by vision." "A nation's past is its foundation; it must be preserved and honoured." "Our Motherland Sacrifice for you is like life Living without you is death." "An educated mind is the greatest weapon in the struggle for freedom." "Our only duty is to keep fighting for our nation, come what may." "Cowards never make history, it is the brave who carve their names in the annals of time." "Hindu society must rise above the differences of caste and creed if it wants to see the dawn of freedom." "Independence is never given, it is always taken." "We yield to none in our love, admiration and respect for the Buddha-the Dharma-the Sangha. They are all ours. Their glories are ours and ours their failures." "A country that does not recognise its heroes, its martyrs, and its warriors is doomed to decay." "Every person is a Hindu who regards and owns this Bharat Bhumi, this land from the Indus to the seas, as his Fatherland as well as Holyland, i.e. the land of the origin of his religion. Consequently, the so-called aboriginal or hill tribes also are Hindus because India is their Fatherland as well as their Holyland of whatever form of religion or worship they follow." "The world respects those who can stand up for themselves and fight their own battles." "The sacred soil of Bharat is my home, the blood of her brave is my inspiration, and the triumph of her will is my dream." "The practice of untouchability is a sin, a blot on humanity, and nothing can justify it." "One country, one God, one caste, one mind – brothers all of us without difference, without doubt." "Calmness in preparation but boldness in execution, this should be the watchword during the moments of crisis." "Hinduism is not merely a religion, it is a way of life." "The sword of revolution is sharpened on the whetting-stone of ideas." "Let us be strong, not just in words but in actions and sacrifices." "Freedom is never given, it is won." "Faith in oneself is the best and safest course." "India's unity is the first and final goal." "Those who forget history are condemned to repeat it." "Nationalism is built upon shared culture, values, and sacrifice." "Strength and unity are the true guardians of liberty." "Heroes never die, their words live on forever." Let us honour Veer Savarkar Jayanti 2025 with pride and continue to celebrate the heroes who shaped our nation. For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.
