Press Information Bureau

The ceremonial inauguration of Vaishakha Buddha Purnima 2025 was held today at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, in a spiritually resonant and culturally rich tribute to Lord Shākyamuni Buddha. The event was organised by the Ministry of Culture and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) to mark the Triple Blessed Day commemorating the Birth, Enlightenment, and Mahāparinirvāna of the Buddha.

 

 

Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, graced the occasion as Chief Guest, highlighting India’s pivotal role as the custodian of sacred Buddhist heritage. “India is not just the land of Buddha’s birth—it is the steward of his universal message of non-violence, mindfulness, and the Middle Path,” he said, echoing Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s global vision.

 

Highlighting the rich Buddhist heritage, the Minister said, “India continues to actively share and preserve its sacred heritage. In recent years, the Government of India has undertaken initiatives to strengthen global Buddhist ties. One of the most significant efforts has been the exposition of Holy Buddha Relics. These relics—treasures of faith and reverence—have been sent on special tours to countries like Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam, strengthening spiritual and cultural bonds with our Buddhist brethren abroad.”

He mentioned that these expositions are more than ceremonial—they are acts of cultural diplomacy and spiritual unity. Wherever the relics travel, they evoke devotion, deepen connections, and reaffirm India’s role as the spiritual fountainhead of Buddhism, he added. So far, during the past ten days, more than 18 lakh people from Vietnam have sought the blessings from these sacred relics.

Guest of Honour, Shri Kiren Rijiju, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, emphasised the inclusive relevance of Buddha’s teachings. “One need not be Buddhist to follow the Buddha. His wisdom is a guiding light for all, especially in times of turmoil and uncertainty. Buddhism is a philosophy and not a religion,” he noted.

 

Quoting the Prime Minister’s speech after the ceasefire that India has given Buddha’s teachings to the world and not war, Mr Rijiju said India strives for peace but if there are elements that want to disrupt peace, we will make use of power ‘shakti’ to maintain that peace.

 

 

The Minister was addressing a packed hall of over 600 that included the Sangha, Monks and Nuns, students of Buddhism, lay practitioners and others. Present were also members of the diplomatic community. The Ambassadors of Bhutan, Mongolia, Nepal, and Sri Lanka were felicitated as also the representatives from Laos, Japan, Russia, Taiwan, and Cambodia.

In his welcome address the Secretary General of IBC, Shartse Khensur Jangchup Choeden Rinpoche, speaking on Dhamma mentioned 47 qualities of the Buddha in Sanskrit, saying that these praises and a description of his attributes exist only in the Sanskrit literature making it a valuable text. These verses are inspirational and are recited during the Vesak Purnima month.

The Director General of IBC, Abhijit Halder highlighted the efforts of the Ministry of Culture to push aggressively for preventing the auction of the jewels associated with the sacred Piprawah relics of the Buddha that were stopped just two days before coming under the hammer. “It was the power and the blessings of the Buddha that prevented the auction,” he added.

Buddhist scholars, including Geshe Dorji Damdul, Prof. Hira Paul Gang Negi, and Prof. Bimlendra Kumar, engaged in a profound panel discussion on ‘Application of Buddha Dhamma in Conflict Resolution’.

A stirring special address was delivered by Ven. Gyaltsen Samten, urging reflection on the moral courage and peace advocated by the Buddha, especially in troubled times. Ms. Subhadra Desai offered a devotional rendering of the Ratana Sutta, invoking the spirit of the teachings.

The celebrations featured two major exhibitions—Comparative Buddhist Art History of India and Life and Teachings of the Buddha—previously part of United Nations Vesak Day 2025 events in Vietnam. Screenings included documentaries on the dissemination of the Buddha Dhamma across Asia and the exposition of sacred relics from Sarnath.

The commemorative event concluded with a vibrant cultural performance by Guru Alpana Nayak and her troupe, encapsulating the timeless artistic and spiritual legacy of Lord Buddha.

****

Sunil Kumar Tiwari

pibculture@gmail.com

(Release ID: 2128921) Visitor Counter : 2