First Karnataka State Buddhist Convention held at Ch’ Nagar

Chamarajanagar :

“Buddhism incorporates freedom, equality, brotherhood and human values,” opined Chief Minister Siddharamaiah. He was speaking after inaugurating the first Karnataka State Buddhist Convention jointly organised by Bharatiya Bouddha Mahasabha and International Buddhist Monks Charitable Trust at Jyothigowdanapura in the taluk yesterday.

Stating that the humane values propounded in Buddhism can be an answer to terrorism, naxalism etc., the CM observed that peace cannot exist in the absence of equality in society.

Pointing out that Buddhism was one of the oldest religions, Siddharamaiah said that this religion does not give way for any superstitious beliefs or practices and called upon everyone to shun violence and hatred.

Declaring that the State government would grant Rs.10 crore for the construction of Nalanda Buddhist University at Jyothigowdanapura, the CM also promised 50 acres of land for the proposed Varsity. Stating that he was against declaring holidays to mark the birth anniversaries of social reformers, Siddharamaiah said that as such, the State government will not declare a holiday on account of Buddha Poornima.

MP and Congress party leader in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjuna Kharge, said that the Constitution has given rights for citizens to follow the religion of their choice. However, cases of forceful re-conversion in the country are on the rise, he lamented.

He also said that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar embraced Buddhism out of self respect.

Lamenting the lack of unity among Dalit community members, Kharge called upon each community member to get educated.

Bodhidatta Bantheji of Nalanda Buddha Vihara, Banthe Manorakkhita, Banthe Viriyasheela and Banthe Varajyothi graced the occasion. Revenue Minister V. Sreenivasa Prasad presided. PWD Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa released a book titled ‘Dharmapatha’ on the occasion.

Co-operation Minister H.S. Mahadev Prasad, Social Welfare Minister H. Anjaneya, MP R. Dhruvanarayan, former MP M. Shivanna, former Ministers Motamma and Narendra Swamy, MLAs Puttarangashetty and Chikkamadu, MLC D.S. Veeraiah, former MLAs A.R. Krishnamurthy and S. Balaraj, MUDA Chairman K.R. Mohan Kumar, Poet Moodnakoodu Chinnaswamy, former Mysuru Mayor Purushottam, Chamarajanagar Municipal President Nanjundaswamy and others were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News  /  Monday , January 05th, 2015