SPEECH BY HER EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SHRIMATI PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL, AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE GLOBAL VIPASSANA PAGODA

Mumbai, 8th February, 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am happy to inaugurate the Global Vipassana Pagoda, a magnificent and the world's greatest monument of peace, which aims to spread the teachings of compassion and non-violence propagated by Lord Buddha, and to promote the practice of Vipassana, an ancient meditation technique, which seeks to bring about inner peace in an individual.

This Pagoda took almost 11 years to complete and it now stands as a spiritual and architectural marvel. As Shri Subhash Chandra told us, it is the biggest pillarless dome structure of stone, which houses the bone relics of Lord Buddha. It has been constructed by using a combination of the interlocking technique, an ancient Indian construction methodology, and the latest technologies. This splendid work is highly appreciable and I compliment Shri Subhash Chandra, and his colleagues and the laborers, who have done this memorable work. Buddhism is being followed by a large number of people across the world. It is, therefore, not surprising that the construction of the Pagoda in Mumbai, is the result of collaboration of people living in different parts of the world.

The Pagoda will provide space for meditation to over 8,000 people. In a world full of strife, stress and strain, the need for calming the agitated mind is extremely important. Vipassana could bring to an individual's life, a quieter perspective through control over the mind and purity of heart. We all know that efforts of Acharya Goenkaji in propagating Vipassana meditation are receiving widespread acceptance. I must say, he has done a valuable service to the mankind by propagating this path for achieving peace and tranquility. He deserves rich tribute for the devotion with which he is spreading this message in the world.

Buddha taught - Be a Light unto Yourself. This means look into yourself, as the light is within you and enlightenment comes from within. Lord Buddha's life was a life in search of truth. He attained enlightenment after deep meditation under the Bodhi tree in Gaya. He realized that the root cause of unhappiness was the result of attachment to desires. A human being can have so many desires that an entire life can be spent in pursuit of them and yet all desires may not be realized. Describing this flow of unending desire, Buddha said even if the Himalayas were turned to gold, a man's desires will not be fulfilled. Only by being content and purifying one's thoughts, can peace be experienced. To attain this, Buddha prescribed the Middle Path - a path of moderation that avoids extremes. Excess of anything can be harmful. Therefore, in life one should adopt a moderate and balanced approach in all spheres of life, whether it is our consumption habits or expressing our views. A tendency to give vent to anger and use harsh language to describe our feelings aggravates the situation and often a person repents that moment of anger. Then, why not from the very beginning, learn how to exercise restraint and be balanced?

Buddha spoke of the oneness of the world and urged all to live in peace and harmony. Pointing to the sky, he would say there is no border there. The fact is that all human beings are one and our behaviour should be based on this basic truth. People create distinctions in their own mind and believe them to be true. Today, it is the perceived differences that are dividing people. A whole ideology of hatred, executed with the instruments of violence and terrorism, is being spread. In this, many innocent lives are being lost and many people are getting injured and many families, left in pain and anguish due to the loss of their beloved ones. Violence and terror will have to be negated and defeated to bring peace in the world.

Emperor Asoka, one of the greatest Kings of India, on becoming a Buddhist, gave up violence and practiced the Law of Piety for governing his Empire. This law, based on non-violence and compassion, required that respect be shown to all living beings and reverence be given to teachers, parents and elders. Emperor Asoka had constructed Stupas all over his empire, including setting up pillars with edicts to spread the message of Dharma. The Stupa is an architectural style associated in India with Buddhism. In fact, the dome of Rashtrapati Bhavan, is structured on the pattern of the great Stupa at Sanchi. Just below the Dome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in the Durbar Hall, where the transfer of power from the the British to a free India took place in 1947, stands the statue of Lord Buddha of the 4th century, belonging to the Gandhara art style. The statue is a constant reminder that the welfare of the people is fundamental in the conduct of the affairs of the State.

The wheel of Dharma that is peace and harmony, set in motion by Buddha in the Deer Park near Varanasi, rolled over the whole of Asia. Buddhism spread from India to different parts of the world, stretching from Sri Lanka to Japan. What was unique was that Buddhism spread entirely through peaceful means. Also, the message of non-violence of Buddha has inspired men and nations. Gandhiji, the most ardent proponent of non-violence, won India's independence by adopting Ahimsa as the means for India's freedom struggle. The life and work of Gandhiji is a lesson about tolerance and respect for humanity. He believed that intolerance was a form of violence. He advised that we need to respect each other's points of view. Non-violence is a powerful idea, which has been acknowledged by the world. The United Nations has adopted 2nd October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi as the International Day of Non-violence. Non-violence is not only the absence of violence but it is also the compassion, with which we undertake work for the welfare of others, with a deep sense of commitment and responsibility. Gandhiji showed in his life, that non-violence is a day-to-day practice, which means that one should actively help others, and if you cannot, you must at least restrain yourself from harming others.

There is a lot of suffering in the world. There are many who live in poverty, ignorance and disease. To address these issues and challenges effectively, the Government, civil society and social workers must work collectively. Those who are more fortunate can contribute to the welfare of those who are less fortunate. I would urge all persons assembled here to see how they can join in this effort to make the world a better place. The following thought of Buddha comes to mind: "Thousands of candles can be lighted from a candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." How true this is. Work for humanity can only increase the brightness in the world. I am confident that the life of Lord Buddha, will teach and inspire many towards noble living and the Pagoda will be the symbol of this teaching, bringing people together to live in friendship, mutual cooperation, peace and harmony.

I conclude with the hope that the Global Vipassana Pagoda will be a place of solace for people.

May peace prevail.

Thank you,

Jai Hind.