New Delhi hosts Ashadha Purnima, key Buddhist delegation members attend
New Delhi: New Delhi recently hosted the global delegation for the celebration of Ashadha Purnima, an event organised by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in conjunction with India’s Ministry of Culture, media reports said.
The commemoration took place at the National Museum, Janpath, on July 3, paying homage to the Buddha’s inaugural sermon given in Sarnath, reports The Bhutan Live.
The event was attended by several key members of the Buddhist community which included patriarchs, respected teachers, scholars, as well as diplomatic envoys.
The location, the National Museum, was chosen due to its rich cultural significance pertaining to the Buddha and his initial teachings, the news portal reported.
The event was represented by Khenpo Chimed, the IBC Secretary, who released a statement highlighting the importance of Asadha Purnima.
“It memorializes Buddha’s first discourse to his initial five ascetic followers in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, after achieving enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, Bihar. The day is widely recognized as the First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma. This inaugural sermon included the revelation of the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path," Khenpo Chimed told the newspaper.
A special message was recorded for the event by Droupadi Murmu, the President of India. She used the occasion to encourage young people to internalize the teachings of the Buddha for personal growth and societal betterment.
The President stated, “On Asadha Purnima, we were introduced to Lord Buddha’s Dhamma. This is not only a part of our rich cultural legacy, but it also has a vital role in our everyday life.”
She further emphasized the need to comprehend the first sermon by Shakyamuni in Sarnath to truly understand Buddhadharma.
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