Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a major international exposition of the sacred Piprahwa Relics on Saturday, delivering a powerful address that framed the artefacts as a living part of India's civilisational heritage rather than mere archaeological objects. The event, attended by Buddhist scholars, diplomats, and guests, marked a significant moment in India's cultural reclamation.
A Heritage Returns Home After 125 Years
In his speech, the Prime Minister emphasized the profound homecoming of the relics. After a wait of one and a quarter centuries, India's heritage has returned, and its sacred legacy has come back home, he stated. The Piprahwa Relics, discovered in 1898, are among the earliest and most historically significant deposits directly linked to Bhagwan Buddha. Archaeological evidence strongly associates the Piprahwa site with ancient Kapilavastu, the place where Buddha is believed to have spent his early life before renunciation.
PM Modi was unequivocal about their significance. "For India, the sacred relics of Bhagwan Buddha are not merely artefacts, they are a part of our revered heritage and an inseparable part of our civilisation," he declared. He stressed that the wisdom and path shown by Buddha belong to all of humanity, positioning India not just as a protector of this heritage but as the active carrier of his traditions.
Government's Multifaceted Efforts for Buddhist Legacy
The Prime Minister detailed the government's ongoing initiatives to preserve and promote Buddhist heritage. He recalled that thousands of Buddha-related relics were discovered in Gujarat during his tenure as Chief Minister, and his administration is now protecting them while imparting related knowledge to the present generation.
He outlined a series of concrete steps being taken:
- Modernising Buddhist pilgrimage sites and building new facilities for devotees.
- Promoting the study of the Pali language, which is intimately connected to Lord Buddha's teachings, by granting it the status of a classical language.
PM Modi also expressed gratitude to the Godrej Group for their role in ensuring the relics' return to their homeland.
A Personal Connection and Global Mission
Sharing a personal note, the Prime Minister revealed the deep impact Lord Buddha has had on his own life. He noted that he was born in a city that was a major centre of Buddhist teachings and that Sarnath, his 'Karmabhoomi', is where Buddha delivered his first sermon.
"I tried to spread the heritage of Lord Buddha wherever I went and therefore took the Bodhi plant when I went to China, Japan, Mongolia," PM Modi said, highlighting his personal efforts to share this spiritual legacy globally. This underscores his view that Buddha's message is a universal unifier, belonging to everyone and capable of bringing people together.
The inauguration of the Piprahwa Relics exposition thus stands as a landmark event, blending cultural reclamation, spiritual diplomacy, and a national commitment to preserving a legacy that India considers both its own and a gift to the world.
