Ashadha Purnima - Dhamma Chakra Day Programme

Context

• ‘Care with prayer’ initiative of the International Buddhist Confederation is praiseworthy, said the Prime Minister in his message for the Ashadha Purnima-Dhamma Chakra Day programme.
• Application of Buddhist values and principles in addressing issues of global concern will help in healing the world and making it a better place, said the President of India, while addressing the annual Asadha Poornima – Dharma Chakra Day.

About

• The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in partnership with Ministry of Culture, celebrates Asadha Poornima as Dharma Chakra Day every year.
• The day marks Buddha's first teaching after attaining Enlightenment to the first five ascetic disciples (pañcavargika) on the full-moon day of Asadha at ‘Deer Park', Ṛiṣipatana in Sarnath, near Varanasi.
• The teaching of Dharma chakra Pravartana Sutra is also known as the First Turning of Wheels of Dharma.
• It comprises of the Four Noble Truths and Noble Eightfold Path.
• The day is also observed as Guru Poornima by both Buddhists and Hindus as a day to mark reverence to their Gurus.
• It is the second most sacred day for Buddhists after the Buddha Poornima or Vesak.

Relevance of teachings of Buddha amid the Pandemic

• “Buddha” denotes one who as attained enlightenment and had a sense of awakening to build a peaceful, harmonious and just society.
• The Buddha’s assurance of putting an end to suffering; his emphasis on universal compassion and non-violence; his message to pursue morality and moderation in all aspects of life, have inspired countless people over the last 2600 years since his first sermon at Sarnath.
• This universal appeal of Buddhism is due to its logical, rational and simple answers to the fundamental problems faced by human beings across time and place.
• The ongoing COVID pandemic bears testimony to the fact that the complexities of the modern world carry with them more uncertainties and crises.
• The threats of bioterrorism, climate change, global warming, radicalism, extremism, etc, are shaking the conscience of humanity.
• The Buddha’s method of introspection and awakening shows the path in these troubling times.
• The Buddha’s lesson of “Atma Dipo Bhava” — every man can be a light unto himself, a savior of himself through personal efforts — is apt to alter the individualist approach.
• The Buddhist approach of righteous behaviour, wisdom, compassion, and the reduction of trishna (greed) offers a set of building blocks for a new world order.
• In this world violence and conflict are minimized and development takes place without degrading the natural resources.
• The adoption of the “middle path” by avoiding extreme positions as taught by Buddha leads to avoiding conflict, reconciliation of different viewpoints, and achieving consensus.
• His eight-fold-path has not only transformed the spiritual landscape worldwide but also encouraged ethical and sustainable social, political, and commercial practices.
• It is due to the Buddhist values of compassion and the promotion of peaceful coexistence that the world is looking towards India with hope.
• His teachings find reflection in the globally-accepted Gandhian ethos.
• In the ongoing global fight against the corona pandemic, India is leading from the front.
• India has emerged as the pharmacy of the world by helping out the 123 needy countries by supplying medical assistance.
• As peace and sustainable development are interlinked, the Buddha’s prism can be the guiding lights to every single stakeholder from local to global institutions and leaders, to work together for promoting dialogue, harmony, and justice based on compassion and wisdom.
• Buddha Purnima is an apt moment amid this pandemic to reinforce our commitment to take determined action to relieve ourselves from conflicts, violence, and strengthen the contemporary relevance of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.

International Buddhist Confederation

• International Buddhist Confederation is the biggest religious Buddhist confederation, based in Delhi.
• The architect of the International Buddhist Confederation is Lama Lobzang.
• This confederation is named as the first organization which unites Buddhists from the whole world.

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1738414

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