| by N.S.Venkataraman
( September 22, 2012, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) The laying of
foundation stone for a University of Buddhist and Indic studies at Sanchi in
Madhya Pradesh in India by the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa should be a turning point in spreading the
message of Buddha around the world. The
University should emerge as the centre of excellence for the benefit of the
future generation to understand the
significance of Buddhist thoughts. for a world of peace and harmony.
President of Sri Lanka did well to recall the contributions of
Mahatma Gandhi to peace and non violence and
Dr. B. R. Ambedhkar to the
revival of Buddhist thought in India and around the world during the inaugural function.
The philosophy of Buddha needs to be spread far and wide, as the
world continues to be suffering due to feelings of bitterness and animosity
between regions and religious groups and
causing avoidable violence. The thought of peace has to be made the
central theme of thinking while
deliberating on any issue in any forum in the world. Buddha and peace go
together and this great gift of Buddhist philosophy to
humanity have to be appropriately highlighted , particularly amongst the
younger generation. The University of Buddhist and Indic study at Sanchi should
contribute to fulfill this task.
What is particularly significant is that though this university is
located in India, inviting the Sri
Lankan President and Prime Minister of Bhutan to be a part of the inaugural
function would make this University global in outlook and character.
It is sad that Sri Lanka , a
country dedicated to Buddhist philosophy
, has to undergo such violence, war and
killings for several years until recently. Now, that the war has ended, peace
and harmony has to be restored with highest level of attention and dedication.
Certainly, the all pervading Buddhist philosophy should guide Sri Lanka in
restoring peaceful conditions that the people of Sri Lanka deserve.
Restoring peace really amounts to winning a battle in the mind of
the people of all religion and community, which can be possible only by
revealing enormous goodwill from all quarters. Certainly, the Sri Lankan
government and particularly the President of Sri Lanka has to show great
initiative and reveal qualities that would convince everyone about its
sincerity to restore long standing harmony.
With the inauguration of University of Buddhist and Indic Studies
by Sri Lankan President, everyone expects that he would follow suit and take
his efforts to achieve the logical end
of Buddhist philosophy.
