Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 14: Buddha Purnima was celebrated today with great enthusiasm, gaiety and fervour by different organizations.
According to the Buddhist tradition Buddha was born in 624 BCE on the full moon day of Vesak month. He left his household life at the age of 29, got supreme knowledge after the penance of six long years at the age of 35 on this very day and after spending the missionary life of 45 years finally died at the age of 80 at Kushinagar (again on the same day).
Buddha Purnima marks these three very important events in the life of the Buddha and attracts people to his teachings of love, non-violence, and compassion.
Department of Buddhist Studies, University of Jammu celebrated the Buddha Purnima by organizing a function on the campus.
Prof Pankaj Srivastava, Dean, Students Welfare, JU, who was the chief guest on the occasion, traced out the history of the Buddha’s life and philosophy. He appreciated the efforts of the Department of Buddhist Studies and assured of all possible help in the development of the Department.
Prof Ranjana Mishra from the Deptt of History, SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai was the guest of honour and in her deliberations she highlighted the rich historical and cultural heritage of Buddhism in India and abroad.
Prof Baidyanath Labh, Head, Department of Buddhist Studies, JU presided over the function. He focused on the liberal and rational approach of the Buddha towards the common man, women and downtrodden of the then society which continued throughout annals of Buddhism.
Suresh Kumar, Sr Research Scholar of the Department, conducted the entire proceedings and presented the vote of thanks.
Earlier the function started with the lighting of the traditional lamp following which floral tributes were paid to Buddha amidst prayer in Pali by the students and scholars of the Department.
The welcome address was delivered by Dr Lalit Gupta, a renowned art historian.
Prominent among others who were present included Shayam Lal Raina, Varinder Chib, Shashikant Atri, Ashwani Kumar, Rajesh Sharma, Meena Verma and Sonam Lamo.
All Ladakh Student Association Jammu (ALSAJ) celebrated Buddha Purnima at ancient Buddhist site Ambaran, Akhnoor.
More than 200 students paid homage to ancient Buddhist site and prayed for peace and happiness of Jammu and Kashmir.
Students, gathered to celebrate Buddha Purnima, also highlighted the selfless teaching of Lord Buddha. Prayers and offerings were made at the holy site and the students wished for a monastery in Jammu so that they can offer prayers and are relieved.
After visiting Ambaran student gathered at Ladakh Sarai and offered prayers to Lord Buddha.
Buddha Jyanti was celebrated by the members of All J&K Buddha Society, Jammu. K K Digra, president of the society presided over the function wherein floral tributes were paid to Buddha.
Digra informed that the Buddha Mission Society was founded in 1994 with the sole objective to preach the teaching of Buddha in true sense and to help the society by teaching to be aware from social evils which rode the fibres of the society. He praised the message of Buddha’s non violence and co-operation. On the occasion Prof B Labh, Head Department of Buddhist Studies, Jammu University and patron of the society high lighted the Buddha’s message of peace and love.
Dr D C Bassan stressed the need to open the institutions libraries, physiotherapy centres for old age senior citizens’ benefits. Those who spoke on the occasion, included Dr Jai Kishan, Sudagar Mal, Kanta Bassan, Seema Bhardwah, Satya Rani, Veena, Dr Anu Radha Thapa, Abhay Kishan, Erudhee and Surinder Kumar.
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