Rajgir (Bihar), Oct 25 (HS): President Ramnath Kovind said that since peace is a necessary precondition to development, the essence of Lord Buddha’s preaching emphasised peace within as precondition to attain peace outside.
The President was addressing the commemoration of Golden Jubilee of Vishwa Shanti Stupa in Rajgir on Friday.
Spirituality, peace and development reinforce each other while conflict, turmoil and under development feed upon each other, he said and urged the participants to promote peace and harmony as potent means to reduce poverty and conflict.
The President said that Vishwa Shanti Stupa is a symbol of unity, peace and non-violence. “Its message has universal resonance, which rises above cultures, religions and geographies. It also reflects the abiding partnership and extensive cooperation between the peace-loving democracies of Japan and India,” Kovind said.
The President said that the Buddha’s eight-fold-path not only transformed the spiritual landscape worldwide but also encouraged ethical and sustainable social, political and commercial practices. The appeal of Buddha goes far beyond the 500 million followers of Buddhism worldwide.
The President said that there is a need to connect increasingly larger number of people with the ideals of the Buddha. Promoting heritage tourism in places related to the Buddha is an effective way of attracting people, especially the youth to the spirit of Buddhism.
Governor Phagu Chauhan, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, several ministers and di9gnitries coming from various South Asian countries were also present on the occasion.
Vishwa Shanti Stupa or World Peace Pagoda, built in 1969, is one of the 80 peace pagodas in the world, to spread the message of peace and non-violence. It is the oldest peace pagoda in India.
