New Delhi: The Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, underscored the timeless relevance of Buddha’s teachings, emphasizing their role as a guiding compass for the future. Speaking at the 12th General Assembly of the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace (ABCP) in New Delhi, Shri Dhankhar highlighted Gautama Buddha’s message of peace, harmony, and coexistence in the face of contemporary challenges.
In his address, Shri Dhankhar remarked that Buddha’s teachings are not relics of the past but a transformative roadmap for individuals and nations. In an era marked by ethical uncertainty, Buddha’s principles offer a path of sustainability, simplicity, moderation, and reverence for all life. The Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path, according to Shri Dhankhar, guide individuals and nations towards inner peace, compassion, and non-violence.
The Vice President reflected on the profound influence of Buddha’s teachings on India’s governance approach, emphasizing their impact on service-driven governance, citizen welfare, inclusivity, and environmental sustainability.
Highlighting the universal relevance of Buddha’s principles, Shri Dhankhar addressed contemporary challenges such as climate change, conflict, terrorism, and poverty. He called for a collaborative, collective approach to overcome these challenges, positioning Buddha’s teachings as a beacon of hope.
The theme of the 12th General Assembly, “ABCP – The Buddhist Voice of Global South,” aligns with India’s growing leadership role in amplifying the voices of the Global South. Shri Dhankhar emphasized India’s commitment to representing the concerns of nations with three-quarters of the world’s population, echoing Prime Minister Modi’s sentiment that India is a nation that has given the world ‘Buddha’ and not ‘Yuddha’ (war).
Shri Dhankhar also highlighted India’s proactive role in the development of the Buddhist circuit and the India International Centre for Buddhist Culture, showcasing the nation’s dedication to ensuring that younger generations worldwide learn more about Lord Buddha.
The event, attended by Union Minister Shri Kiren Rijiju, Most Ven. D Choijamts Demberel, President of ABCP, and Dr. Khy Sovanratana, Secretary of State (Deputy Minister) of the Royal Government of Cambodia, brought together delegates from various countries.