A vibrant and colourful procession wound its way from the Royal Thai Monastery to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mahabodhi Mahavihara in Bodh Gaya on Tuesday morning. This marked the grand commencement of the 11-day 20th International Tipitaka Chanting ceremony, a global gathering of Buddhist faith and scholarship.
A Global Congregation for Spiritual Harmony
The opening procession was a powerful symbol of unity, featuring monks, nuns, devotees, and representatives from numerous nations. Their collective march demonstrated a shared devotion to the teachings of Lord Buddha. More than 20,000 devotees, including approximately 10,000 monks and nuns from at least 22 countries, have converged upon the sacred town for this event, which will conclude on December 12.
During the extensive programme, participants will engage in the recitation of sutras from the Buddhist holy text, the Tipitaka, in its original Pali language. To ensure wider understanding and participation, translated versions of the Pali texts have been made available in various languages. The chanting will be complemented by cultural presentations and deep spiritual discussions.
Government Emphasis on Preserving Buddhist Legacy
The event was formally inaugurated on Tuesday afternoon by Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. A special highlight was the message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, delivered by the Minister. PM Modi underscored the Indian government's commitment to honouring and preserving the nation's profound Buddhist heritage.
"The Govt of India has taken significant steps to honour and preserve the country’s Buddhist heritage," the Prime Minister's message stated. "In 2024, the union cabinet formally recognised Pali for its vital role as a repository of ancient wisdom and as a cultural bridge linking Buddhist traditions across the world."
He further elaborated on India's international cultural outreach and infrastructure development, saying, "India is working with countries around the world to strengthen cultural ties. The Buddhist circuit within India is being developed with meditation and convention centres coming up, and efforts continue to bring back cultural artefacts from abroad."
Elaborate Arrangements for a Historic Gathering
PM Modi described the event as a "global reunion inspired by the timeless teachings of Lord Buddha", with devotees travelling from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Nepal, Laos, Cambodia, Singapore, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Bhutan, Malaysia, and many other countries to Bodh Gaya.
The inaugural session saw Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein attending as the guest of honour. Key figures from the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee, including Member Secretary Mahashweta Maharathi, members Arvind Kumar Singh and Kiran Lama, along with senior monks like Bhikkhu Deenanand and Bhikkhu Manoj, welcomed the international guests.
To manage this massive spiritual assembly, the Gaya district administration has implemented elaborate arrangements. These include a dedicated traffic plan, the provision of free e-rickshaw services within Bodh Gaya, robust security measures, and various other amenities to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience for all attendees.
