New Delhi: With celebrations curtailed because of the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus Pandemic, Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena led a special 2564th Vesak day celebration on the 7th of May, 2020 at the Mahabodhi International meditation Centre, Chandigarh Branch. While maintaining strict social distancing norms, a prayer and meditation session was held in the morning followed by a wonderful and inspiring talk by Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena on the significance of the observance of Holy Vesak full moon day.
In the evening, the 2564th Vesak day was observed via Webinar which was jointly organized by the Mahabodhi International Meditation centre, The Mahakaruna Foundation New-Delhi and the Lions Club Delhi Veg. It was attended by luminaries from all walks of life including spiritual masters, diplomats, Politicians, bureaucrats, business Icons, entrepreneurs and many more from India as well as from Singapore, Bhutan, Dubai UAE, UK, USA etc..
In his welcome address, Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena thanked all the panellists for joining the special Webinar. He further stated that the messages of Lord Buddha is timeless but it is particularly relevant in our turbulent contemporary world today with the rising of hatred, violence, of growing inequalities and the immense pressures on our natural world.
On the occasion, the message by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri. Narendra Modi ji on Vesak Day was also broadcasted which inspired each and every one who joined.
The Spiritual leaders addressed and blessed the ceremony with their holy messages of Peace and compassion and the need of it in today’s world.
H.H Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, the President of Parmarth Niketan Rishikesh & Founder, Global Interfaith WASH Alliance spoke on the Spiritual contribution of India to the World, he said “from time to time, India has produced some of the most intellectual and pure beings. One such is Lord Buddha who is an embodiment of Love, Peace, compassion and wisdom, the life of Lord Buddha is a journey of Truth and Mahakaruna.” He further stated that in the history of mankind,
India has never attacked anyone because the teachings of Buddha have always inspired and guided our leaders, India has instead attracted everyone towards its spiritual way of Life.”
In her address, Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji, the President of Divine Shakti Foundation and Secretary General, GIWA said “Let us take the beautiful teaching of Buddha “Appo Deepo Bhava” meaning Be the light and realise that the Light is within us. She further stated that the Teachings of Lord Buddha have always inspired her spiritual life.
Renowned Jain Saint and Peace Ambassador Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni in his address extended his heartfelt greetings to Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena and the Buddhist world on the auspicious occasion of the Holy Vesak day. He further said “The teachings of Mahakaruna taught by Lord Buddha and the teachings of Non Violence becomes extremely relevant today when that whole world is facing the crises of Corona Pandemic with so many thousands of deaths and the world Economy is sinking.”
Moulana Imam Umer Ahmed Illyasi, the chief Imam of All India Imam Organisations extended greetings on behalf of the Muslim world and expressed his deep appreciation to Ven.
Bhikkhu Sanghasena for bringing together everyone on one platform despite the Corona Pandemic. He urged all the faith leaders and other leaders to keep praying for a Corona free world.
Other Religious leaders includes Goswami Sushil ji Maharaj of the Bhartiya Sarv Dharam, S. Paramjit Singh Chandik ji from Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, New Delhi, Dr. Binney Sareen from Brahmakumari’s organisation, Fr. Bento from New Delhi. All the leaders extended their greetings on the auspicious occasion of the Vesak day and spoke on the need of the teachings of Buddha in today’s world.
The political, diplomats, business and other leaders shared their views on the teachings of the Lord Buddha. Many of them shared their experiences of the application of the messages of Lord Buddha in their personal and professional lives and how it transformed them as a person.
H.E Maj. Gen. Vestop Namgail, the Ambassador of Bhutan to India in his address said that “On this auspicious day, everyone must draw inspiration from one of the very important message of Lord Buddha that is to Practice Compassion, and to let our actions to be guided by Mindfulness. This is the time for the world to reflect on Mahakaruna – Compassion and to radiate it to everyone effected by the deadly COVID-19 Pandemic.”
Ms. Meenakshi Lekhi, Hon’ble Member of Parliament from New Delhi said that “The most valuable gift that our great country India has given to the world is the Message of Buddha and the spiritual power. Lord Buddha’s teachings of Mahakaruna- Compassion teaches us to be kind and compassionate to everyone including the animas and Mother Nature to which the UN terms as “Sustainable Development Goals”… She further reminded everyone of the lessons that COVID-19 taught us which also the Buddha taught that is “We all can live with a limited amount of possessions and that we must give up greed and all kinds of Negative emotions”.
Ambassador P. Stobdan in his address said that “The COVID -19 pandemic is not about health care, it’s a transformational issues which is why we have all come back on the Buddha’s teachings of Ultimate realisation that everything must change. We must adopt a change now and that the teachings of Buddha was not a dogmatic and therefore Vesak Day is an important occasion for everyone to realise this”.
Mr. Henry Baey from Singapore, Dr. Lye Kit Yong from Dubai UAE, Shri. Anurag Batra, editor Business world, and Mr. Navratan Aggarwal Bikaner Vala extended their greetings to everyone on the occasion and shared their point of views on the teachings of Buddha in today’s times of Crises.
Mr. Gaurav Gupta, the Charter President of Lions Club Delhi Veg moderated the whole event making it a successful one. He also share his point of view on the teachings of Lord Buddha and how it affected his life both personal and professional.
The event was live telecasted on various social media platforms with 100’s of people from different countries tuning in. It ended with a very soulful and divine Dhamma Song sung by the musician group of Mahabodhi marking the auspicious occasion.
