JOIN US'Buddhism neither propagates hatred nor attachment'
Speaking after inaugurating Buddha Study Centre at Mangalore University here on Wednesday, he said the real home is our mind. One need to be the master of oneself.
There are about 300 religions in the world. All the religions speak of creation and transformation of society. Stating that Buddhism is simple and deep, he said lack of knowledge leads to problems in the society.
Mind is like a flowing river where the thinking process goes on. It can be used for enlightenment and study purpose. What India needs is enlightened leaders, teachers, politicians, mothers and fathers. Education is nothing but training which leads to knowledge and enlightenment, he added.
He said that nothing is permanent in creation. Lack of satisfaction leads to sorrow in life. Lack of knowledge is the root cause of sorrow.
The message of Buddhism is peace, which neither propagates hatredness nor attachment.
Litterateur Prof Amruth Somehwar said the conspiracy to systematically chase away the Buddhists from India is a tragedy. Regretting the attitude of some people who try to keep away those who do not support a particular thought, he said the study centre should not be restricted to only buildings. It should make concrete study on the religion and bring out harmony among various religions of the world and develop the concept of unity.
Prof Someshwar said lot of literature has come up under Buddhist influence prior to Jainism in Kannada. From the time of Kavirajamarga, the Buddhist writers worked for the upliftment of Kannada. There is a need to conduct more research into the works on Buddhism in Kannada.
Hampi, Badami, Vanavasi were the centres of Buddhism. The remains of Buddist structures have been unearthed in several places. Many structures have changed its form, he added.
Mangalore University Vice-Chancellor Prof T C Shivashankaramurthy said that Mangalore University has 17 peeta (chairs) including that of Nehru and Gandhi Study Centre. Vivekananda, Radhakrishna and Madanmohan Malavia study centres will be started at the earliest.
Earlier in his introductory remarks, Buddha Study Centre Director Prof P L Dharma said that UGC sanctioned Buddha Study Centre under its tenth plan.
The Centre aims at collecting all the study materials related to Buddha and disseminating information on Buddha’s philosophy.
Efforts will be made to provide information on Buddha to the high school and PUC students through various programmes.
It will also provide a platform for those who have made research into the philosophy of Buddha.
It will also make a study on “Buddha and what people think of Buddhism.”
‘Kadri was Buddhist centre’
Litterateur Prof Amruth Somehwar said that Kadri kshetra in Mangalore was a Buddist centre earlier. Alupa king Kundanivarma had installed the statue of Avalokeshwara (unique scuplture with three face and six hands). One can see Jnani Buddha bimba and Manjushree bimba at the kshethra. However, now it is a Shaiva temple. There is Natha cult mutt on the hillock. The stoopa on the top of hillock is named as Pandavara guhe. When Rashtra Kavi Govinda Pai conducted a research and announced on influence of Buddhism in Kadri Kshetra, many opposed and threatened him. Similarly, Mangaladevi was Taradevi during Buddhist period, he added.