Buddha's teachings have universal relevance: DPM Shrestha

By Our Correspondent,Bhairahawa, Mar. 4: The 3rd International Tripitaka Recitation has started in Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha inaugurated the three-day Tripitaka recitation amid a special function held at the Mayadevi Temple complex in Lumbini on Sunday. 

The Tripitaka recitation ceremony is organised in collaboration with various organisations including All Nepal Bhikshu Federation and Lumbini Development Trust (LDT). 

Addressing the programme, Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha said that the Buddha's teachings have been assimilated by modern science as well and said that 'International Meditation Day' should be celebrated all over the world. 

Recalling his meeting with the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, after the latter returned to Kathmandu after visiting Lumbini, DPM Shrestha said that he requested Guterres to help in declaring International Meditation Day to commemorate the mediation method of the Buddha.

He said the government would take a proposal about marking the International Meditation Day, in the cabinet meeting soon after finalising an appropriate date to mark the day.  

He said that the Ministry of Home Affairs has already introduced meditation in security organisations and prisons. 

DPM Shrestha said that his ministry must work in the field of good governance and crime, and he said that only by transforming people, good governance could be possible while minimizing crimes. "We have already started a campaign to begin work after meditating for 15 minutes every day at the Ministry," he said.

He said that the Tripiktaka recitation would make a very important contribution to spreading the Buddha's teachings. 

He said that since Vinayapitak, Suttapitak and Abhidhammapitak convey the message of discipline, rules and Buddha's teachings, it is necessary to publish them in Nepali so that everyone can understand them.

Vice-chairman of Lumbini Development Trust Dr. Lharkyal Lama (Khempo Chime Tshering) said that since the world has accepted the philosophy and ideas of Buddha, a programme like Tripitaka recitation will help a lot to spread them. 

He said that since Tripitaka is a collection of Buddha's knowledge and teachings, such programmes should be held in every district and province.

In the event, All-Nepal Bhikshu Federation's leader/guardian monk Bodhisen Mahasthavir, president of the association monk Dhammasoban Mahasthavir, secretary Nigrodha Mahasthavir, Vice-chancellor of Lumbini Buddhist University Professor Dr. Surbarna Lal Brajcharya, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Nepal, officials of Lumbini Development Fund, board members, and local government representatives were present.