Minister for Finance, Labour & Employment, Dr Haseeb Drabu has said that one should realize the importance of ‘Being at peace with Self’ especially amid present stressful times. “We have to realize how important it is to do the things that nurture the mind, revitalize the body and rejuvenate the soul,” he said.The Minister was speaking at a function organized here last evening by Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC) Leh-Ladakh in connection with Mahakaruna Diwas (Compassion in Action).Minister for Cooperatives and Ladakh Affairs, Chering Dorjay, MLA Leh Nawang Rigzin Jora, General Secretary, IBC New Delhi Ven Lama Lobzang, Social Activist, Swami Agnivesh, Founder MIMC Ven Bhikku Sanghasena Mahathera also attended the function.Dr Drabu while addressing the gathering said that he felt very happy being part of the Mahakaruna Diwas. “The enriching cultural performances by the children of MIMC mesmerized each one of us and brought some moments of happiness in our life,” he said.
The Minister said informative and engaging nature of such events draw people from various parts of the world, contributing and sharing their precious insight and going by the response towards this event, it is heartening to note that Ladakh and its Buddhist heritage holds a very special place in the hearts of the people.Applauding the role of Ven Bhikku Sanghasena Mahathera, the founder of MIMC, the Finance Minister said he has done a commendable, remarkable and inspirational works by developing a safer, peaceful and integrated world. He urged everyone to draw inspiration from Sanghasena so as to work for betterment of the society and make this world a peaceful place to live.Speaking on the occasion, the Minister for Cooperatives and Ladakh Affairs, Chering Dorjay congratulated Mahabodhi International for organizing ‘Mahakaruna Diwas’ which provides an opportunity to redirect ourselves to the teachings of Lord Buddha and reaffirm our belief that Buddha’s eternal teachings are universal in nature to promote the basic human postulates of compassion, love, kindness and mutual harmony.He further said that today the world is facing multidimensional crises of which the most confronting is the violence. Lord Buddha’s message on harmony and how to achieve a harmonious world shall be a guiding light for the world.Dorjay said MIMC has at all times ventured out of its campus to the remote corners of Ladakh where people are suffering for want of basic facilities.
Reiterating the role of Sanghasena, who founded this centre in 1986, the Minister for Ladakh Affairs said he has worked tirelessly and selflessly to put Buddha’s teachings on kindness and compassion into action through multifarious charitable and humanitarian services. Having travelled extensively around the world, he urges everyone to promote spiritual and cultural values, literacy, environmental protection, non-violence, inter-religious harmony, co-existence and truthfulness, he added.He also said that the State Government is making all endeavors to promote Ladakh as a prominent spiritual tourism destination while focusing on the sustainable development for the people of the region.“It is my firm belief that the success and earnest efforts by Mahabodhi to showcase the rich and unique ethnic culture, tradition, art, customs, language and lifestyle of the mystic land Ladakh is an inspiration and shall motivate the people to protect this treasure and showcase it to the world which look up to this region as a rich repository of Buddhism”, Mr Dorjay said.On the occasion, Ven Bhikku Sanghasena Mahathera, MLA Nawang Rigzin Jora, Gen Secretary IBC New Delhi Ven Lama Lobzang, Social Activist, Swami Agnivesh also throw light on the theme ‘Mahakaruna’. Among others, members of MIMC, other dignitaries and students were also present on the occasion.