Dharamshala, May 1 — On Buddha Purnima, the Dalai Lama extended warm greetings to Buddhists worldwide as they marked the birth, awakening and parinirvana of the Buddha. He said the Buddha’s teachings remain urgently relevant despite more than 2,500 years of change, offering practical guidance for our troubled times.
Highlighting the Buddha’s insight into dependent arising and his emphasis on non-harm and compassion, the Dalai Lama expressed the hope that these principles will inspire people to work toward a more peaceful world. He encouraged adherents to become “21st-century Buddhists” by engaging deeply with the teachings—listening, reading, reflecting and applying them in everyday life.
Observing the 2,570th Buddha Jayanti, he prayed that bringing these values into daily practice would help build greater happiness and harmony across communities.
Also marking the occasion, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke at a Holy Relics Exposition and cultural ceremony in Leh, describing Ladakh as more than a region—calling it a “living laboratory” of Buddhist culture and compassion. He praised the area’s role in preserving knowledge and traditions, and said India’s civilisation has long conveyed a message of peace.
(Report sourced from ANI.)
