Bodh Gaya: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said while there was no problem with people practising their own religion, conflict mostly emanated from religious intolerance and radical elements trying to force their own thoughts on others.

Pitching India’s ancient Buddhist links at a Hindu-Buddhist conclave at the Maha Bodhi Temple, the place of Lord Budhha’s enlightenment, the PM described conflict avoidance as the most effective conflict resolution mechanism. The outreach was part of Modi’s attempts to leverage India’s cultural connections with Buddha who preached and formed the Sangha in areas that are now east UP and Bihar.

Modi said conflict situations generally arise on account of the tendency of radical elements of some religions to impose their beliefs on others. In his 20-minute address before a select gathering of about 100 participants from more than a dozen countries, the PM endorsed the Bodh Gaya declaration of the Delhi conference, hosted by Vivekananda International Foundation and Tokyo Foundation, to work for global peace and harmony.

“The two-day conference seems to have arrived at a broad consensus on both issues. On the issue of conflicts—most of which are being driven by religious intolerance—the participants in the conference seem to have agreed that while there is no problem about the freedom to practise one’s religion, it is when the radical elements try to force their own ideologies on others, that the potential for conflict arises,” he said.

Modi, who has highlighted India being Buddha’s “karmabhoomi”, spoke about building a civilisational bond between India and the Buddhist world. While many south east nations find it difficult to relate India’s current geographical entity to Buddha, Modi has sought to give the enterprise a higher profile. The Modi government as well as the predecessor UPA regime have recognized the strategic importance of countering China’s efforts to present itself as a major patron of Buddhist thought.

Modi, who earlier offered prayers at the world famous Mahabodhi Temple’s sanctum sanctorum, also participated in the meditation-cum-chanting of Buddhist mantras by different sects of Buddhists. The chanting session was held under the sacred Bodhi tree.

In his address, Modi dealt with the commonality of themes and beliefs of both the Hindu and Buddhist systems. There was so much in common between Hinduism and Buddhism that he felt like calling India as ‘Buddhist India’. “We also need to celebrate diversity,” he said.

The PM referred to the coincidence of today being Lord Krishna’s birth anniversary. Like Buddha, Krishna too wanted to establish a system in which the truth ultimately prevailed and evil forces get defeated. The PM also referred to the belief that Buddha was, in fact, a Vishnu incarnate who came to the world to end misery and bring peace and harmony.

He addressed the issue of environment and the need for sustainable development without destroying the originality and ethnicity of cultures. Referring to Adi Shankaracharya, he said the seer is rightly regarded as ‘Buddha in disguise’. Dwelling on the essential unity of religions and commonality of the teachings of different belief systems, the PM said the need of the hour was to project the common aspects of different religions and for that, a paradigm shift in approach was required.

Bodh Gaya turns into fortress

He started his speech saying he felt blessed at being at Bodh Gaya, the seat of Buddha’s enlightenment. Modi said that before him two Indian Prime Ministers — Jawaharlal Nehru and Atal Bihari Vajpayee — had been to this place.

The PM offered all help for the development of Bodh Gaya as the most important centre of Buddhism and practical aspects of Buddhism relevant for the development of humanity as an entity, irrespective of artificial divisions and subdivisions.

The conclave participants, besides diplomats and parliamentarians from several countries like Sri Lanka and Nepal, included Japan’s foreign minister Tsutomu Nakagawa and Bhutan’s foreign minister L N Dorje. Bihar governor Ram Nath Kovind and Union minister of state for home Kiran Rijju were also present.