Modi to inaugurate development projects in Sarnath on October 20Modi further informed that he would be in Varanasi on October 20, where he would inaugurate many development projects in Sarnath. He also spoke about artefacts related to Buddhism being brought back from abroad.”We are preserving our past along with building new ones. In the last 10 years, we have brought back more than 600 ancient heritages, artefacts and relics from different countries of the world to India. Many of these relics are related to Buddhism,” he said. On classical language status to Pali, the PM said that this respect for Pali language is a respect for the great legacy of Lord Buddha.”Abhidhamma is inherent in Dhamma (truth or teachings of Budhha), knowledge of Pali language is essential to understand the essence of Dhamma. India’s faith in Buddha is not only for oneself but is a path of service to the entire humanity,” Modi said. “Dhamma means Buddha’s message, Buddha’s principles and solution to questions related to human existence. Dhamma means the path of peace for all human beings, Dhamma means Buddha’s eternal teachings, Dhamma means unshakable assurance of welfare of entire humanity,” he added Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Union Minister for Parliamentary and Minority affairs Kiren Rijiju were present on the occasion.“Abhidhamma Divas commemorates the descent of Lord Buddha from the celestial realm of the thirty-three divine beings (Tāvatiṃsa-devaloka) to Sankassiya, known today as Sankisa Basantapur in the Farrukhabad district of Uttar Pradesh. The significance of this location is underscored by the presence of the Asokan Elephant Pillar, an enduring marker of this historic event,” read a statement issued by the cultural ministry.According to the Pali texts, Buddha preached the Abhidhamma first to the Gods of the Tavatimsa heaven, who were headed by his mother. After having returned to the earth again, he conveyed the message to his disciple Sariputta.
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