President calls for assimilating Buddha’s teachings to establish violence-free society; Buddhism key to maintaining peace: PM Dahal

Kathmandu / March 21: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has called on human beings to assimilate the ideologies of peace, non-violence, compassion, goodwill and friendship propounded and promoted by Gautam Budhha.

Concluding the 45th Lama guru (Lama teacher) study tour organised by the Buddhist Philosophy Promotion and Monastery Management Committee, the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development at the President’s Office, Shital Niwas today, the Head-of-the-State said, ” There will be support in maintaining peace in the society and ending violence if every human being moved ahead by assimilating these ideal citations in life.”

The President stressed the need of further promoting ideologies and teachings of the Budhha.

The government is protecting and promoting diversities of multilingual, multi-cultural and multi-caste nation, the President said, urging the government to come with new programmes in this area in the future.

The President pledged to take initiation to increase the Committee budget to establish a central monastery.

On the occasion, the President handed certifications to the participants of the study visit.

Secretary at the Office of President Bhupendra Prasad Poudel said the visit of the Lama gurus was successful.

Committee executive director Narendra Gurung spoke of the need of additional budget to establish a central monastery and implement committee programmes.

The study visit of Lama gurus aimed at studying about Buddhist religion and ideologies is in the annual calendar of the Committee.

Lama gurus from over 30 districts had been in monasteries of Nepal and including of Darjeeling, Gangtok and Sikkim in course of the nine-day study visit.

The practice is that the President will conclude the visit.

Around 2,300 Buddhist temples in the country are registered with the Committee. The April earthquake in 2015 inflicted damages to 1,318 of them. Reconstruction of quake-damaged Buddhist monasteries has not commenced yet due to budgetary constraints, it is said. RSS

Buddhism key to maintaining peace: PM Dahal

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said Buddhism is significant to maintain peace across the nation.

PM Dahal said this during a meeting with Buddhist monks from different monasteries of the country at his official residence, Baluwatar, on Tuesday.

Saying Nepal is a secular nation, he assured that the State respects all religions, cultures and devotions equally.

The PM further said Buddhist philosophy propounded by Gautam Buddha, who was born in Nepal, has now spread in the world and it has significant contribution to promote peace, harmony and fraternity.

Expressing the belief that there could be a contribution in country’s prosperity through religious tourism, he said that he would provide support to expand Buddhist philosophy.

Office-bearers of Buddhist Philosophy Management and Monastery Development Committee and 27 monks from different monasteries of the countries were present on the occasion.

On the occasion, The Committee demanded budget from the Prime Minister for the reconstruction as well as repair and maintenance of monasteries.

In response, PM Dahal informed that the government would ensure budget for the same. RSS