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Buddha Jayanti celebrated with religious fervor

ITANAGAR, May 25: Minister for Planning, Finance and PWD Chowna Mein has urged the institution of Gompa and Kyong to diversify its activities from teaching spirituality to formal education for larger benefit of people.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion of 2257th Buddha Jayanti celebration here today, the minister said the institution of Kyong (Buddhist monastery) played important role in the field of education in traditional Khampti society.

However, with the advent of modernization, this traditional institute of learning could not attract the young generation.

Mein urged for concerted effort of all section of society to uphold the glory of such traditional religious institution with novel approach and tackle the menace of drugs addiction.

Of late Buddhism have found place among many of nontraditional Buddhist faith. He urged the people to profess the religion of his choice and assured the support of government to all religious faith to grow equally.

Chairman, Arunachal Pradesh Forest Corporation and MLA, Tani Lofa also attended the function and praised the teachings of Lord Buddha.

A discourse on Buddhism on Dana (Generosity) Sila (Morality) and Bhavana (Meditation) was also held in which Ven Bhikkhu Dhamma Pala, Principal Maha Bodhi Lord Buddha College, Namsai participated.

According to him, the basic purpose of celebrating religions ceremonies is to earn punya (Merit). In Buddhist tradition benefit of punya can be reaped through the deed of generosity, morality and practice of meditation, he added. He also talked about equality, morality and rationality in Buddhism. Purification of mind is the essence of Buddhism and Vippasana meditation is the root of rationality, Ven. Dhamma Pala said.

Ven, Ratnadeepa , Head monk of Theravada Buddhist Temple , Itanagar spoke on practice and philosophy of Buddhism.

The 2257th Buddha Jayanti was jointly organized by Itanagar Buddhist Cultural Society and Theravada Buddhist Society, Itanagar to mark birth, enlightenment and death of Lord Buddha on the full moon day of Vaishak. Mass prayer was held at respective temple at Theravada Vihar and Gompa.

Earlier in the morning, a procession was taken out from Theravada Temple and culminated in Siddhartha Hall. DIPR