category Regional, chandigarh, , tags Regional, chandigarh, , DW BUREAU CHANDIGARH The Indian Minorities Foundation (IMF) celebrated Buddha Purnima, also known as Buddha Jayanti, on Friday to commemorate the 2585th birth anniversary of Lord Buddha and held prayers for world peace at Ashoka Buddha Vihar in Khuda Ali Sher, Chandigarh, with great reverence, devotion, and respect to Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. Buddha Purnima is one of the most auspicious festivals of the Buddhist community celebrated worldwide. The members of IMF led by its Convenor Satnam Singh Sandhu celebrated the festival with great enthusiasm and devotion and recalled the teachings of Gautam Buddha. Lama Yeshe Rabgye, a Western Monk in the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, was also present on the occasion. Among others present on the occasion included Ronil Barua, Chairman of the Buddhist Association of Chandigarh; Samiran Barua, Vice-Chairman,of the Buddhist Association of Chandigarh; Ashok Barua, President, the Buddhist Association of Chandigarh and Meenal Barua, Secretary of Buddhist Association of Chandigarh. Satnam Singh paid tributes to Shuglash Barua, President of the Association, who passed away recently and honored his family for his contribution to the association and Buddhists. On the occasion, Satnam Singh Sandhu, who is also the Chancellor of Chandigarh University, announced that a Centre for Buddhist studies will be established at Chandigarh University (CU) campus that will serve as a hub dedicated to Buddhist philosophy. He also announced that a separate literature section will be developed on Lord Buddha at the library of Chandigarh University. Satnam Singh Sandhu highlighted the significance of Buddha s teachings and their relevance in the contemporary world with multiple looming global challenges. Lord Buddha preached about unity, communal harmony, and brotherhood which is essential for world peace and we need to follow the path shown by the Lord Buddha. The teachings of lord Buddha that offer the path of a peaceful and sustainable future are at the heart of the policy-making of the present Modi government, said Satnam Singh Sandhu. PM Modi is taking the revolutionary ideas of Lord Buddha to the world and offering solutions to the problems across the globe. PM Modi in his address at United Nations General Assembly in 2019 told the world leaders that India gave the world Buddh and not Yuddh which is the biggest gift to the world. He is also implementing the teachings of Lord Buddha for unity and peace across the world and several policy initiatives of the PM Modi government are inspired by Lord Buddha. This is evident from the theme of India s G20 Presidency - Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or One Earth One Family One Future which also draws inspiration from the teachings of lord Buddha of unity and service to others, said Sandhu. The Buddha s legacy also inspired the moves and initiatives of the PM Modi government to help other countries for global welfare, such as help provided to the recent earthquake in Turkey and India s progress towards becoming a developed country Amrit Kaal , under the leadership of PM Modi, is also inspired by teachings of Lord Buddha. With Lord Buddha s teachings and ideology at its heart, India is seen as a country that provides solutions to the problems faced at the global level and plays a significant role in maintaining harmony and world peace, Sandhu said. (editor dailyworld.in)