“Buddha’s Relics Are Our Living Heritage”: PM Modi
PM inaugurates Piprahwa Relics Exposition in Delhi, calls Buddha a unifying force for humanity
- PM inaugurates “The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One” at Rai Pithora Cultural Complex
- Says Buddha’s relics are inseparable from India’s civilisation and spiritual legacy
- Highlights India’s global efforts to restore and develop Buddhist heritage sites
- Announces push to popularise Pali after granting it Classical Language status
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 3rd Jan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics titled “The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One” at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex, marking the return of the sacred relics of Bhagwan Buddha to India after over a century.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said the relics are not mere artefacts but an inseparable part of India’s civilisation and spiritual heritage. He underlined that the wisdom and path shown by Bhagwan Buddha belong to all humanity and that Buddha “belongs to everyone and unites us all”.
PM Modi recalled how the relics, taken away during colonial times, were treated as antiques abroad, while for India they remain sacred living symbols. He thanked the Godrej Group for supporting their repatriation.
Highlighting India’s global outreach, the Prime Minister cited exhibitions of Buddha relics in Thailand, Vietnam, Mongolia and Russia, which drew crores of devotees and reinforced the global appeal of Buddha’s teachings. He said India continues to support the restoration of Buddhist heritage sites worldwide, including in Nepal and Myanmar.
PM Modi also stressed India’s efforts to preserve and modernise Buddhist pilgrimage centres such as Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Shravasti, Kapilvastu and Sanchi, and announced the creation of an integrated Buddhist Circuit for pilgrims.
Noting that Buddha’s teachings were originally in Pali, the Prime Minister said Pali has now been accorded Classical Language status to help take Buddha’s message to a wider audience.
Calling upon students and youth, he urged citizens to visit the exhibition to connect with India’s spiritual heritage and Buddha’s timeless message of peace, compassion and self-reliance.
