IMF convenor Satnam Singh Sandhu announces establishment of Center for Buddhist Studies at CU campus

The Indian Minorities Foundation (IMF) celebrated Buddha Purnima, also known as Buddha Jayanti, on May 5 and held prayers for world peace at Ashoka Buddha Vihar in Khuda Ali Sher, Chandigarh, with great reverence, devotion, and respect to lord Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. 

Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti was celebrated on May 5 to commemorate the 2585th birth anniversary of Lord Buddha, also known as Mahatma Buddha. 

It is one of the most auspicious festivals of the Buddhist community celebrated worldwide. The members of IMF led by its convenor Satnam Singh Sandhu celebrated the festival with great enthusiasm and devotion and recalled the teachings of Gautam Buddha. 

Lama Yeshe Rabgye, a Western Monk in the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism was also present on the occasion. The attendees also included Ronil Barua, Chairman of the Buddhist Association of Chandigarh; Samiran Barua - Vice Chairman, of the Buddhist Association of Chandigarh; Ashok Barua - President, of the Buddhist Association of Chandigarh and Meenal Barua - Secretary, of Buddhist Association of Chandigarh were present on the occasion. Satnam Singh paid tributes to the recently passed away President of the Association, Shri Shuglash Barua Ji, and honored his family for his contribution towards the association and Buddhists.

On the occasion, Satnam Singh Sandhu, who is also the chancellor of Chandigarh University, also announced that a center for Buddhist studies will be established at Chandigarh University (CU) campus that will serve as a hub dedicated to Buddhist philosophy. 

He also announced that a separate literature section will be developed on Lord Buddha at the library of Chandigarh University. 

While speaking on the occasion, Satnam Singh Sandhu highlighted the significance of Buddha’s teachings and their relevance in the contemporary world with multiple looming global challenges.

 “Lord Buddha preached about unity, communal harmony, and brotherhood which is essential for world peace and we need to follow the path shown by the Lord Buddha. The teachings of lord Buddha that offer the path of a peaceful and sustainable future are at the heart of the policy-making of the present Modi government,” said Satnam Singh Sandhu.

“PM Modi is taking the revolutionary ideas of Lord Buddha to the world and offering solutions to the problems across the globe. PM Modi in his address at United Nations General Assembly in 2019 told the world leaders that India gave the world ‘Buddh' and not 'Yuddh' which is the biggest gift to the world. He is also implementing the teachings of Lord Buddha for unity and peace across the world and several policy initiatives of the PM Modi government are inspired by Lord Buddha. This is evident from the theme of India’s G20 Presidency - “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth One Family One Future” which also draws inspiration from the teachings of lord Buddha of unity and service to others,” said Satnam Singh Sandhu. 

“The Buddha’s legacy also inspired the moves and initiatives of the PM Modi government to help other countries for global welfare, such as help provided to the recent earthquake in Turkey and India’s progress towards becoming a developed country ‘Amrit Kaal’, under the leadership of PM Modi, is also inspired by teachings of Lord Buddha. With lord Buddha’s teachings and ideology at its heart, India is seen as a country that provides solutions to the problems faced at the global level and plays a significant role in maintaining harmony and world peace,” said Satnam Singh Sandhu.

He also added that the objectives of IMF to work for the welfare of the minority communities and their participation in the nation’s development is also inspired by the teachings of Lord Buddha. 

While highlighting the initiatives of PM Modi government taken for the welfare of the Buddhist community, Satnam Singh Sandhu, said, “Given its religious importance PM Modi government has taken several steps to develop Bodh Gaya as the spiritual capital for it to serve as a civilizational bond between India and the Buddhist world. The welfare initiatives and policies have led to the great revival of Buddhism in India. Other steps such as the development of the Buddhist circuit in India and Nepal, rejuvenating pilgrimage centers such as Sarnath and Kushinagar, and building an India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage at Lumbini with India’s cooperation.”

Meenal Barua – Secretary of the Buddhist Association of Chandigarh, said, “Getting the status of separate Union Territory (UT) for Ladakh was a long pending demand of the Buddhist community and that demand was finally fulfilled by PM Modi government. The Buddhist community in India expresses gratitude to PM Modi for taking this step. The move has resulted in the benefits of the government schemes and welfare initiatives directly reaching the community and providing more jobs for the youth in Ladakh.”

“The 4% increase in the scholarships to Buddhist youth by PM Modi government has opened new avenues for the Buddhist students and helped them achieve their goals without any hurdle,” Meenal Barua added. 

Lama Yeshe Rabgye, a Western Monk in the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, on the occasion, congratulated the IMF for becoming the voice of minority communities and providing them a platform where they can join and discuss their issues. Satnam Singh Sandhu announced that Lama Yeshe Rabgye will be appointed as the Professor of eminence at Chandigarh University.

Lama Yeshe Rabgye said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is taking the teachings of the lord Buddha as a policy matter and engages with other nations through the message of peace, love, and cooperation, which is the foundation of the teachings of Lod Buddha. 

While emphasizing the development of the minorities, he said, “The investment in the development of the minorities in India means directly investing in the development of the nation, which is the motto of the ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’ vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

“Communal harmony and brotherhood are strengthened when we engage and explore each other’s culture and tradition. In that sense, the development of the Buddhist circuit will play a pivotal role in communal harmony,” said Lama Yeshe Rabgye. 

Ronil Barua, Chairman, of the Buddhist Association of Chandigarh, highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken the Lord Buddha’s message of unity and world peace to the whole world in a great spirit and Buddhism has thrived globally. “India under the leadership of PM Modi has cultivated warm diplomatic relations with the Buddhist countries because PM Modi has rightly adopted the revolutionary messages of Lord Buddha in his diplomacy and has taken many initiatives based on Buddha’s teachings,” said Ronil Barua.

Welcoming the development of the Buddhist circuit, he further said, “The PM Modi government has spent Rs 50 crore on the development of the Buddhist circuit so far that has connected seven places through road, railways, and air. This is a great initiative by the Modi government that has brought convenience to the pilgrims besides boosting tourism.”

 Meanwhile, Ashok Barua – president of the Buddhist Association of Chandigarh, while speaking on the occasion, said, “A sense of belongingness has rejuvenated in the Buddhist community in India under the leadership of PM Modi because of the numerous welfare initiatives taken by him for the Buddhist community. The development of the Buddhist circuit will serve as a link for the youth to connect with their roots and culture.”