At the inauguration on 4 January of the first Buddhist conference in Karnataka State, southwest India, the state’s chief minister Siddaramaiah announced a grant of Rs 100 million (approximately US$1.6 million), and the lease of 50 acres of land, for the construction of a second Nalanda University in India: Nalanda Buddhist University and Ambedkar Research Centre. The proposed site is at Jyothigowdanapura, in the Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka. Another new Nalanda opened its doors in Bihar State on 1 September 2014.
The chief minister said the government would extend all support and help for setting up the university. The Deccan Herald quoted him as saying, “All disputes related to the land, where the varsity will come up, will be sorted out.”
“A good move by CM of Karnataka. In a backward district like Chamarajanagar, Nalanda University will boost the progress of the area and will also create mass awareness on Buddhism,” commented Raju Magudilu Rachaiah, a netizen of the Deccan Herald.
Political commentator Professor Muzaffar Assadi expressed his view that the chief minister had exhibited his political maturity during the conference, while the announcement of the funds and land was a populist move.
According to the Deccan Herald, political leader and Buddhist adherent Mallikarjuna Kharge said, “The Constitution has given rights for citizens to follow the religion of their choice. However, cases of forceful re-conversion in the country are on a rise.” In response to this, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the government was not against conversion, and that the Constitution itself allows it. He also added that his government would promote Buddhism, which “propagates peace and love.”
However, the chief minister declined to declare a government holiday on Buddha Purnima (Buddha’s Birthday), explaining that he is personally against giving holidays to mark the birthdate of social reformers. He was also concerned that lakhs (hundreds of thousands) of people would congregate to celebrate the day. According to the Deccan Herald, Siddaramaiah went on to say, “At present, terrorism and Naxalism [extreme Maoist groups] are on a rise. Humane values propounded in Buddhism can provide an answer in controlling them.”
One of the goals of the Buddhist convocation was to reach out to the Dalit community (members of the so-called Scheduled Caste, formerly known as “untouchables”). Highlighting the great works of social reformer Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, a Dalit who adopted Buddhism in 1956, the chief minister also addressed the need to eradicate discrimination and inequality in society based on caste or religion. He urged people to follow the ideologies of the Buddha and Ambedkar. The Hindu quoted him as saying, “B. R. Ambedkar embraced Buddhism because it allowed people to live with equality and mutual respect.”
Relics of the Buddha were also on exhibition during the conference. Venerable Bodhidatta Bhante of Nalanda Buddha Vihar explained, “Emperor Ashoka of Maurya dynasty divided the remains of the Buddha into 84,000 fragments, of which a few parts were taken by [his] daughter Sangamithra to Sri Lanka. The remains present in Chamarajanagar were brought from Somathi Boudha Vihar in Sri Lanka in 2008.” The relics will be installed in an 84-foot stupa, which will be built along with the university.
See more
CM promises 10 crore for Nalanda University (Deccan Herald)
CM Announces Rs 10 crore, Land for Buddhist Varsity (The New Indian Express)
CM’s Dual Agenda at Buddhist Meet (The New Indian Express)
People urged to follow Buddha’s ideology (The Hindu)
