Sunday Times 2
Buddhism a key pillar in Indo-Lanka ties: Indian HC
View(s):Indian High Commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu’s address at the opening of the Lakshman Kadirgamar library at Sri Sambodhi Viharaya on Tuesday.
I feel blessed to be here today at the Sri Sambodhi Viharaya on the auspicious occasion of Vesak. In my country too, Buddha Poornima, or Vesak, is celebrated widely.
We are honoured that my Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Sri Lanka as the chief guest at the International Vesak Day celebrations, on the invitation extended by President Maithripala Sirisena. This represents our shared Buddhist heritage. We want to make these celebrations, which are being held in Sri Lanka for the first time a great success.
President Maithripala Sirisena accompanied by Suganthi Kadirgamar, declared open the Kadirgamar centre and library at the Sambodhi Viharaya
I would also like to remember Lakshman Kadirgamar today, in whose memory the library is being opened. It was his invaluable efforts which resulted in the UN granting official recognition to International Vesak Day. I had the special privilege of knowing and working closely with Mr. Kadirgamar during my previous posting in Sri Lanka. Lakshman Kadirgamar was a great son of Sri Lanka who sacrificed his life for his motherland. I pay my respects to Mrs. Suganthie Kadirgamar this evening.
This will be my Prime Minister’s second visit to Sri Lanka, the first being in March 2015. During that visit, he paid respects to Sri Mahabodhi at Anuradhapura. In this visit, he would take part in the traditional lamp lighting ceremony in Colombo. I am delighted that he will also visit Sri Dalada Maligawa. I share a personal connect with Sri Dalada Maligawa. After my daughter was born in Colombo, the first temple we took her to seek blessings was Sri Dalada Maligawa.
Several Venerable Theras of Maha Sangha, have spoken about the importance, of the visit of the Prime Minister of India from the land of Buddha. We count on their blessings, for strengthening India-Sri Lanka relations. Buddhism is a key pillar, of the shared cultural heritage of India and Sri Lanka, spanning several centuries. Buddhist teachings, have universal, and contemporary relevance. As my Prime Minister has said, “the solution to the problems, that people are facing, across the world, lies in the Buddha’s teachings”.
Prime Minister Modi has deep personal respect for Lord Buddha. He has called him, “the crown jewel of India.” Peace and harmony can be a reality, only when we demolish the walls in our minds. As Buddha has said, “what we think, we become.”
On this special occasion, I am happy to announce, a gift of a large number of candles, to Sri Sambodhi Viharaya from the people of India. These candles have been handcrafted, from the wax produced, at the world’s oldest operating refinery in Assam, in the North Eastern part of India.
High Commissioner Sandhu arriving at the Sambodhi Viharaya
I am also happy to inform you that famous Indian sand artist ‘Padma Shri’ Sudarsan Pattnaik, will make the world’s longest Sand Buddha, at a special Vesak Zone, near the Parliament of Sri Lanka. Incidentally, Shri Pattnaik hails from Orissa, erstwhile Kalinga, from where Arahat Mahinda and Bhikhuni
Sangha-mitta, children of Devanampiya Ashoka, came with the message of Buddhism to Sri Lanka.
I am delighted, that we have also been able to put up, a photographic exhibition, at Sri Sambodhi, showcasing the Buddhist cultural heritage in Ladakh. India-Sri Lanka Foundation, has supported the efforts of Mr. Nilan Maligaspe, the photographer who went to Ladakh, and whose camera captured, the rich Buddhist traditions, of Ladakh.
India is also participating in the International Buddhist Film Festival, organized at the ‘Sakya Kingdom’, set up by Ministry of Buddha Sasana.
We are working closely to strengthen the links of Buddhism, between our two countries. I look forward to working with the Sri Sambodhi and my Sri Lankan brothers and sisters towards this end.
On behalf of the diplomatic community and political leaders in Sri Lanka, I extend my greeting for Vesak.
At a solemn ceremony held at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Centre yesterday, Justice and Buddhasasana Minister Wijyeadasa Rajapakshe garlanded the statue of the late Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, who was instrumental in the United Nations declaration that recognised Vesak as an international holiday. Also in the picture is Deputy Foreign Minister Harsha de Silva