Address During The Visit To Enchey Monastery, Gangtok

Universal Unity and Understanding

I am indeed delighted to visit the Enchey Monastery. My respects to the revered Monks of Enchey Monastery and greetings to the members of the department of Ecclesiastical Affairs of Government of Sikkim.

Four noble truths

When I am in this holy environment I felt that I should narrate the noble truths, which are ringing in my mind in divine form, where Buddha got enlightenment.

The first truth is Dhukka, which states that the world is transient and it is in Dhukka. The second truth is the root cause of Dhukka, desire (Samuthaya). If we eliminate desire dhukka will cease, is the third truth (Norodhaya). Fourth is to follow the Eight-Fold path(Makka).

Nalanda ? The university of Enlightenment

Dear revered monks, scholars and thinkers assembled here, I would like to narrate the incident which took place in Nalanda, when I was there in May 2003. I have spent hours and hours in Nalanda. I saw the place, where the hundreds of scholars assembled and discoursed. I saw, how a university was vibrant in the Nalanda area in 7th and 8th century with theology-teaching classrooms, discourse rooms and monks hostels. What attracted the scholars from 90 countries to Nalanda long ago? This is the place where the thoughts were transmitted, discussed and integrated towards a good way of life, which people were looking for from many countries. Friends, at this critical juncture of universal turbulence and instability, arising out of mutual distrust and hatred leading to violence, world needs a university of peace, enlightenment and great thoughts.

As I said earlier, after enlightenment Buddha walked and walked in 45 different places in and around Nalanda, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Every place is very important for Spiritual enlightenment. I would like to share with you some of my personal experiences in search of unity of minds.

Experience at Bodh Gaya

What a great experience? When I visited Bodh Gaya and sat under the great Bodhi Tree with monks assembled all around. I said "Buddham Saranam Gachami". It was echoing every where, this I did after visiting the great Buddhist temple where Buddha was radiating peace and enlightenment. Under the holy tree a discussion started. One young monk asked me? Mr. President, President of India you are sitting in the place of great enlightenment. How do you feel? I told them, that I felt, as though I am a student, looking for a message for the troubled world - the message of peace. Another young monk asked me, "Do you think Mr. President, Is Buddhism a religion or spiritual force or a code of conduct?" I said, let me share with you my experiences after my extensive travel in our country and abroad.

Religion transforming into spirituality: A message, I have received is that most Indians experienced and old, energetic and middle-aged, young and innocent, they all look to religion for solace and safety. I have also visited great many religious places and houses of worship throughout the length and breadth of this great country and I have met many of our religious leaders. The religions are like exquisite gardens, places full of surpassing beauty and tranquility, like sacred groves filled with beautiful birds and their melodious songs. I truly think that religions are beautiful gardens. They are enchanting islands, veritable oasis for the soul and the spirit. But they are islands nevertheless. How can we connect them so that the fragrance engulfs the whole universe? If we can connect all the islands with love and compassion, in a 'garland', we will have a prosperous India and prosperous world. With this background, I have come to Bodh Gaya. I realize in Buddhism spiritual content is very high.

Strength and peace: The third question - a very important question was asked by the youngest monk. Mr. President you have made a weapon, which can carry a nuclear warhead and you are in search for peace now? How they are compatible? I was taken aback. I went back to 2500 years in history. I saw in front of me the Emperor Asoka conquering all parts of India and walking with great pride. When he came to Kalinga region, the great Kalinga war took place, which is now in the present state of Orissa. With the mighty army of Emperor Asoka fought and fought and the Kalinga kings were defeated. Emperor Asoka happily proclaimed and annexed the Kalinga country. In that great full moon night, with the success behind him, Emperor Asoka walked in the war ravaged battlefield. He stopped suddenly and saw the blood flowing over hundred thousand people who were killed, and many souls crying and moaning. That crying was engulfed with gloom. Suddenly Emperor Asoka stopped and asked himself, "O! Almighty, what have I done?" This spark of thought entered into the mind and soul of Emperor Asoka and the great principle of Ahimsa Dharma was born.

He has preached ahimsa, since then. This has been firmly engraved in the mountains. In the last century Mahatma Gandhi further gave a new dimension to ahimsa, dharma in the freedom movement of India. I have given this answer to that young monk. In our case, it was self-defence for which nuclear weapons were developed and nation had to become a nuclear weapon country. At no time, we will use them, unless someone uses against us. If every nation possessing nuclear weapons decides to dismantle completely, India will be the first to do so. India has always been advocating a total disarmament in the world.

The fourth question was asked by another monk, Mr. President, what made you to come to Bodh Gaya? I said, "I am like Anand in a small way I am in the mission of search, where is the universal peace and unity of minds".

Experience at RILA Monastery

During my recent visit abroad, I visited a Christian Monastery in RILA located in the hills of Bulgaria. It is the biggest Bulgarian revival, spiritual and cultural centre with a 16,000 volume library including 134 manuscripts from 15th to 19th century. This holy site played an important role in the spiritual and social life of medieval Bulgaria. Destroyed by fire due to invasion at the beginning of the 19th century, the complex was rebuilt later and is now surrounded by a big fort. While being in that divine environment amidst the Reverent Fathers aged between 80 and 90, I felt like praying. I went to the altar and asked permission of the Reverent Bishop John to recite the part of the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. All the people present in the Monastery repeated the prayer.

The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;

Where there is hatred let me sow love;

And where there is injury, pardon;

And where there is doubt, faith;

And where there is despair, hope;

And where there is darkness, light;

and where there is sadness, joy.

The silent message in this prayer was felt by the Reverent Bishop, who blessed me by saying "You work for world peace". My friends, may this beautiful divine message of love, enlighten our life to work for universal peace.

Celebrating the beauty of other religion

On one occasion, as I was leaving for Bangalore, I spoke to a friend of mine and told him that I would be talking to young people and whether he had any suggestions. He did not offer any suggestions as such but offered me these nuggets of wisdom.

"when you speak, speak the truth; perform when you promise; discharge your trust ? withhold your hands from striking and from taking that which is unlawful and bad?.

What actions are most excellent? To gladden the heart of a human being, to feed the hungry to help the affected, to lighten the sorrow of the sorrowful and to remove the wrongs of the injured. ?..

All God's creatures are his family; and he is the most beloved of God who tries to do most good to god?s creatures.

These are the sayings of Prophet Mohammad. My friend who told me this is a great grandson of a Deekshidar of Tamil Nadu and grandson of a Ganapadigal (Vedic Scholar). He is none other than Shri Y S Rajan.

Conclusion : Righteousness

Recently, I heard a hymn in the divine campus which I would like to share with you. The name of the hymn is 'Righteous and Peace in the World':

Where there is righteousness in the heart

there is a beauty in the character.

When there is beauty in the character,

there is harmony in the home.

When there is harmony in the home.

there is a order in the nation.

When there is order in the nation,

there is peace in the world.

Friends, we can see a beautiful connectivity between heart, character, nation and the world. How to inject righteousness in the human heart? This is indeed the purpose of human creation - that is divinity. We are going through a complex situation as many of us are completely at war with ourselves, with society and with nation. At every instant there is a war in our mind, whether we should go in one direction or another. Whenever there is a dilemma, we must seek the wisdom from the Almighty to lead us to the path of righteousness through education with value system.

All these four events give personally to all of us a beautiful life with creativity. Above all it gave me a message to look for the best spiritual component in every religion.

My best wishes.