Buddha was great social liberator of mankind: Jaipal Reddy

Nagpur :

Union Minister for Urban Development, S Jaipal Reddy on Saturday said the Lord Buddha was the greatest social and intellectual liberator of the mankind.

Inaugurating the two day Second Buddhist International Conference here on 'Prospectives of Engaged Buddhism,' Reddy said since his childhood, he was excited about Buddha and his teachings and values.

Initiated by newly nominated Rajya Sabha member Bhalchandra Mungekar and organised by Dr Ambedkar Institute of Social and Economic Change, the conference was attended by more than 1200 delegates.

Thai Buddhist monk, Phra Ajhan Withoon Ajarsupoh inaugurated the conference while Maharashtra Dairy Development Minister Nitin Raut, former Union Minister and local MP Vilas Muttemwar and former MP Ramdas Athwale were chief guests.

Describing Buddha as most revered philosopher, Reddy equated him with Socrates, Jesus Christ and Prophet Mohammad.,

Reddy said Buddha was symbol of rationalism and humanism. In saturday's relevance, Buddhism might have gone from India but Buddha remains in the hearts.

The first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was greatly impressed by Buddha who influenced Asian Continent to a great extent, he said.

Buddha was the first intellectual democrat and great believer in moderation, Reddy said.

Reddy also said Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar who embraced Buddhism way back on October 14, 1956 was rightly picked up by Mahatma Gandhi to write the Constitution.

"Gandhiji knew that Ambedkar was the right choice for the coveted post," he said.

Mungekar in his presidential speech outlined the importance of the conference.

Raut in his speech said Buddhism is flourishing in most countries especially in South East and East Asia. In fact it is facing newer challenges in our own country.

"Some say Buddhism no more exists in India. The whole of Asia is Buddhist except India. Buddha has become a foreigner in our own country. The great religion was destroyed in India," he said.

"The destruction of Buddhism was far more cleverer act than the destruction of Jesus and Christianity by Jews because Jews killed Jesus but could not kill Christianity. In India, they did not kill Buddha, they are far more cleverer people.

They just did not kill Buddha but also killed Buddhism," he said.

Former Union Minister and local MP Vilas Muttemwar in his speech said Buddha was very much relevant in the country.

http://www.udayavani.com/news/1137L14-Buddha-was-great-social-liberator-of-mankind-Jaipal-Reddy.html