Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proposed the formation of a library dedicated to esteemed traditional Buddhist literature and scriptures that have been part of India’s curriculum for quite some time now. The Prime Minister said that India would ensure the facility and provide resources for the library.
Addressing the 6th Indo-Japan Samwad Conference via video conferencing, PM Modi appreciated the forum for promoting the life works and ideology of Buddha.
“Today, I would like to propose the creation of a library of all such traditional Buddhist literature and scriptures. We will be happy to create such a facility in India and will provide appropriate resources for it,” he said.
“Its research mandate will also include examining how Buddha’s message can guide our modern world against contemporary challenges,” he said.
At the virtual conference, the Prime Minister also cited challenges like poverty, racism, extremism, gender discrimination, climate change that are still very much prevailing.
Back to Buddha, PM Modi said that Buddha’s work reached across various parts of the world through India. Many countries have recognised the light of his deeds, therefore, his work is translated in many languages, the Prime Minister noted.
“However, this light did not remain static. In each new place it reached, Buddhist thought continued to evolve further over the centuries. Because of this, great treasures of Buddhist literature and philosophy can be found in many different monasteries today, across many different countries and languages,” he said.
This body of writing is a treasure of humankind as a whole, PM Modi said, while adding that the library will be landmark move in preserving Buddhist literature.