India still feels Lord Buddha's teaching are relevant: Javadekar

Describing the teachings of Lord Buddha as being popular worldwide, Dr. Prakash Javadekar, Minister for Human Resources Development, said Wednesday that his ministry is working to inculcate Lord Buddha's teachings in text books as these are still very relevant.

Participating in a Ministry of Culture event to mark the auspicious Full Moon Day of Vaisakha, Dr. Javadekar said the aim of imparting education should not only be confined to gaining knowledge and getting skilled for employment but should focus on preparing an ideal person also.

Tourism and Culture Minister Dr. Mahesh Sharma, said Buddhism has left a great impact on social and cultural life of India, as most of the events related to Lord Buddha had taken place in India.

He made a reference to Lord Buddha's three baskets or "Tripitaka" i.e. ethical discipline, methods of training of the mind and the ground and modes of the cultivation of wisdom, as also of the fact that seven out of eight religious places associated with Lord Buddha were situated in India.

He emphasized that India is committed to the preservation and promotion of monuments, holy shrines and places of Buddhism in India to provide better facilities to pilgrims and tourists.

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijuju said the world looks at India as to what it is doing for the promotion of Buddhism, and opined that India can again become a super power if it continues to follow the path shown by Lord Buddha.

He said his ministry has taken the step to ease e-visa norms for foreign tourists.

Vaisakha Purnima is the most important occasion for Buddhists celebrating Lord Buddha's birth, enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana on the same day.