Dalai Lama hails secularism practised in India

"India is a symbol of secularism. It shows how different religions coexist in harmony in the country," the Noble Laureate said in his inaugural speech at International Buddhist Sangh Conference.

The Tibetan monk praised Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for promoting Buddhism and also for development in the state.

"Bihar is moving ahead under dynamic leadership of Nitish Kumar," he said and thanked him for initiatives for promoting Buddhism.

He referred to establishment of new Nalanda university and converting old jail building here into a Buddha smriti park to drive home his point.

The Dalai Lama stressed on mental peace along with scientific development. He also stressed on converting Buddhist stupas and libraries besides places of religion as a seat of learning.

The Tibetan leader also spoke against change of religion and appealed to people to spread goodness of ones religion to the world.

The three-day Buddhist conference which started today is attended by over 200 delegates from 17 countries including the US, UK, France, Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand, Mynamar, Nepal and Bangladesh in addition to India.

Welcoming the delegates, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that his government was trying to move ahead in accordance with the teachings of Lord Buddha that power should not come into ones head.

He said besides the Centre, the state government has also decided to excavate sites related to Buddhism which is not known to the world so far. MORE