Gaya: Hailing Buddha as a true democrat, Governor Satya Pal Malik said unlike many religious leaders, Buddha did not believe in the coercive instrument to expand his faith. Believing in the inherent goodness of human beings, Lord Buddha led by example and did not preach what he did not practice.
"The democratic seed was well ingrained in Buddhist philosophy and greater good of the common man remained the touchstone of Buddha's teachings. Buddha did not invoke the fear of God to make people conduct themselves in a positive manner," he said.
Speaking on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Buddha in Mahabodhi temple on Monday, the governor said in Buddha's scheme of things, compassion and not coercion was the main element.
Explaining the relevance of Buddhism, the Governor said in the strife-torn world of the present times, Buddhism was more relevant now than it was ever before. Good conduct and not empty sermons made qualitative changes in people's lives and approach.
Buddha did not believe in life after death and as such wanted people to make the best of their lives through compassion, service and devotion. Though not a Buddhist by faith, he (Malik) was a great admirer of Lord Buddha, said the governor. Buddha believed in collective decision making, the essence of democracy, he said.
During his speech as the chief guest of the main event of the three-day-long Buddha Jayanti celebrations, the governor recalled that as per available information, for several days after attaining enlightenment, Buddha was in a dilemma whether to keep the just-received enlightenment to himself or share it with his fellow human beings. Ultimately, Buddha exercised the second option and started spreading the light of wisdom.
Union minister of state Ramdas Athawale and agriculture minister Prem Kumar also took part in the celebrations.
Earlier in the morning, monks and other Buddha followers took out a peace march to commemorate the teachings of Lord Buddha. The participants included a sizeable foreign contingent as visitors from several countries, including Myanmar, Thailand and Sri Lanka participated in the procession. They carried panchsheel, the flags symbolising world peace.
Malik also released a souvenir to mark the celebrations. The souvenir contained articles on different aspects of Buddha's life and Buddhist philosophy. Community feasts were separately organised by the Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee for the robed monks.
