Ambassador’s remarks at the 35th Anniversary of Vietnam Institute of Buddhist Studies
Respected Sanghraja His Holiness Thich Tri Quang
General Secretary of Vietnam Buddhist Sangha M.V. Thich Duc Thien
Director of Vietnam Institute of Buddhist Studies M.V. Thich Giac Toan
Respected Monks, Government leaders, Scholars & Believers
Xin Chao, Namaskar, Namo Shakyamuni Buddha
Thank you for the honour of inviting me to the 35th anniversary celebration of this eminent institute.
I express my heartiest felicitations to the Vietnam Institute of Buddhist Studies on completing 35 years of significant work in the field of education, research and spiritualism.
We are also remembering the profound life and contribution of His Eminence Thich Minh Chau. We are gratified by his close association and education in India.
Revered monks, leaders and dear believers,
India is proud of being the home of Shakyamuni Buddha and of the enormous legacy of his life, Dharma, thought and his indelible influence forever for the entire humanity. Shakyamuni Buddha affects the spiritual, philosophical, social and public life in India in multiple ways. I learnt about Lord Buddha’s four noble truths and eight-fold noble path in my school text books, as Indian students do throughout the country. Lord Buddha’s philosophy and ideals affect Indian thinking about inner peace, the power of meditation, contentment in life, and restraint in human conduct and behaviour. Prime Minister Modi has stated that the roadmap that India has created for its development will be guided by the teachings of Lord Buddha.
I believe that Shakyamuni Buddha’s ideals and path have huge role to play in addressing the challenges of the present world – be it peace, harmony, humanism & compassion, approach to sustainable development, climate change, economic inequalities, healthy lifestyle, mental health and norms of social behaviour. Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi said at the Global Buddhist Summit in India last year that the Path of Buddhism is the path of the future of the world and the path of sustainability. Prime Minister Modi’s call for Lifestyle for Environment ‘Mission LifE’ for moderating individual lifestyle and consumption is inspired by Lord Buddha’s ideals about curbing desire and greed.
I am glad that there will be a conference tomorrow on ‘Exploring the Historical, Spiritual and Cultural Links of Buddhism between India and Vietnam’ for which five distinguished Indian scholars have travelled to Ho Chi Minh City from India. I hope that they will also draw contemporary relevance of Lord Buddha’s life and Dharma for the entire humanity. I am thankful to the International Buddhist Confederation, New Delhi for supporting the participation of Indian scholars in this conference.
India is putting considerable efforts for the preservation, conservation, maintenance and upgradation of Buddhist heritage and sites in India. Some recent efforts include the establishment of India International Centre at Lumbini, renovation work at Sarnath associated with first sermon by Lord Buddha, building of Kushinagar airport and the enhancement of Nalanda University, which was the preeminent seat of Buddhist studies 1500 years ago attracting scholars from all over the world. Earlier this month, the government of India accorded the status of Classical Language to Pali language which was the language of rich archives, records and documentation of Shakyamuni Buddha’s teachings, thoughts and philosophy. This step will enhance preservation of documentation, their archiving, translation and digitization.
I am glad that hundreds of Buddhist monks, scholars and students from Vietnam attend Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral studies in the field of Buddhism, its philosophy, Pali language and related subjects in prominent Indian universities. In August-September this year, about 40 Vietnamese scholars travelled to India using Indian government’s full scholarship for Masters and Doctorate studies in Buddhism, history and Pali Language at Delhi University, Nalanda University, Banaras Hindu University, Andhra University, Gautam Buddha University, Lucknow University and so on.
2025 will be an important year for Vesak celebrations in Vietnam. I will be happy if India can contribute in any manner for commensurate level of celebration of Vesak in Vietnam.
I pay my deep regards to most venerable monks and leaders present here today and convey my thankfulness to Vietnam Buddhist Sangha for their enormous contribution to India-Vietnam friendship. Buddhism has been and will always be a key element of the partnership between India and Vietnam. I remember that last year, when India’s External Affairs Minister visited Hanoi, the Government of Vietnam selected Tran Quoc pagoda in Hanoi for a joint visit by the two Foreign Ministers.
I convey my best wishes for the success of this conference and my appreciation to the Vietnam Institute of Buddhist Studies for their efforts in organizing this important conference and a special session on India-Vietnam Buddhist links.
Xin Cam On, Danyavad as we say in India
Namo Shakyamuni Buddha, Nam Mo Thich Ca Mau Ni Phat
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