Patna, Bihar, India, 27 May 2010 (By Faizan Ahmad, TNN) - Amid the chant
of hymns and beating of
odaiko by saffron-robed monks, the Dalai Lama inaugurated the Buddha
Smriti Park here on Thursday morning. He also planted two saplings one
brought from Bodh Gaya and the other from Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka of
the sacred Bodhi tree.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama,
right, prepares to
plant a sapling after inaugurating the Buddha Park, with Bihar state
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, center, in Patna, India, Thursday, May 27,
2010. Buddhists across the world are marking Buddha Jayanti, a day that
commemorates the birth, enlightenment and demise of Buddha. (AP
Photo/Aftab Alam Siddiqui)
The ceremony was held
at the
under-construction park spread over 21 acres of land in the heart of
Patna. All the top dignitaries, including governor Debanand Konwar,
chief minister Nitish Kumar, deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi and others,
were present on the occasion.
The Dalai Lama led the procession
of monks to the top of the Stupa where he enshrined the holy relics
brought by him and also by the monks from Thailand, Myanmar, Japan,
South Korea and Sri Lanka in a glass case, where a tiny golden statue of
the sitting Buddha was kept on a pedestal. The Tibetan spiritual head
named the Stupa Patliputra Karuna Stupa as requested by Nitish. "I hope
this park will become a source of inspiration for everybody, following
any religion or atheist, to develop compassion and love," said the Dalai
Lama.
Praising Nitish for raising the park, he suggested that
this park be developed into a centre where some scientific and
philosophical dialogues and discussion could be held on modern
technology and science and where one could develop a peaceful mind to
focus on local and global isues. "I hope this centre can eventually
contribute to these fields," said the Dalai Lama. Inside the stupa, he
and other monks squatted around the glass case and prayed with folded
hands.
Possibly this is the only place associated with Lord
Buddha where six relics have been enshrined and two saplings of the
Bodhi tree planted. The plaque, where the sapling from Anuradhapura was
planted, read: A branch of Bodhi tree under which Siddharth Gautam
attained Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya was taken to Sri Lanka by
Sanghmitra, daughter of Emperor Ashoka and planted at Mahameghavana
Park, Anuradhapura.
The Tibetan spiritual head, accompanied by
dignitaries, also saw the meditation centre, library and the museum,
which are still under construction. A special golf cart had been brought
from Bangalore for him to go from one place to another in the park.
