New Delhi, July 8: A national organisation of Buddhist monks has written to the Prime Minister seeking measures to protect the Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya.

The All Indian Bhikkhu Sangha has expressed deep anguish over yesterday’s serial blasts at Buddhism’s holiest shrine and criticised the Bihar government’s failure to provide adequate security to the temple.

Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the head of Tibetan Buddhism’s Karma Kagyu sect, has issued a statement requesting Buddhists to remain calm.

“This is the place where Buddhist pilgrims from India and the world over pay homage to Lord Buddha and his teachings. As yet, we do not know why or by whom this sacred site was targeted,” the statement said.

“However, I am convinced that, as Buddhists, in responding to this situation, the best homage we can pay to Lord Buddha is to uphold his teachings on love and ahimsa (non-violence).”

The National Commission for Minorities passed a resolution expressing shock and pain at the terror attack. It appealed to the authorities to ensure swift punishment for those responsible.

Kalyan Chaudhuri, a Buddhist and former vice-chairman of the West Bengal Minorities Commission, added his voice to those seeking better security at the shrine.

“We request the Prime Minister to take up this sensitive issue with the Bihar government for their indifferent and callous attitude to protecting Buddhism’s holiest shrine by ignoring intelligence inputs about a possible attack,” Chaudhuri said.