TAWANG, OCT 31:
Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday inaugurated the Sacred Exposition of the Holy Relics of Lord Shakyamuni Buddha at Gaden Namgyal Lhatse Monastery, popularly known as Tawang Monastery, marking the return of the sacred relics to Arunachal Pradesh after 13 years.
The exposition, being held from October 31 to November 21, will travel across three districts, giving devotees an opportunity to pay their respects. The relics will be displayed in Tawang from October 31 to November 7, West Kameng from November 8 to 14, and Namsai from November 14 to 21.
Addressing the gathering, Khandu expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for approving the exposition and thanked Union Minister for Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the Ministry of Culture and the National Museum for their cooperation. He said the initiative, along with the recently concluded International Tourism Mart in the State, reflected the Centre’s support for promoting Arunachal Pradesh’s cultural and tourism potential.
Highlighting the spiritual significance of the occasion, Khandu said the teachings of Lord Buddha were particularly relevant at a time when the world was witnessing tensions and uncertainty. He urged people to follow the Buddha’s message of wisdom, compassion and coexistence and promote harmony among communities through its practice in everyday life.
The Chief Minister also conveyed gratitude to the 14th Dalai Lama for his greetings and blessings on the exposition, which were shared with the gathering by International Buddhist Confederation Secretary General Venerable Shartse Khensur Jangchup Choeden Rinpoche.
Khandu also read out a message from Prime Minister Modi, who described the exposition as an occasion of immense spiritual and cultural significance. In his message, Modi said the teachings of Lord Buddha had guided humanity towards peace and compassion for over two millennia and continued to strengthen India’s cultural and spiritual ties with countries across the world.
The Prime Minister highlighted the Centre’s initiatives to preserve Buddhist heritage, including the development of important sites such as Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar, international Buddhist summits and conferences, and the exposition of sacred relics. He also referred to the return of the Piprahwa relics to India after more than a century and the recognition of Pali as a classical language as significant steps towards preserving Buddhism’s intellectual and spiritual legacy.
Describing Arunachal Pradesh as an important part of India’s Buddhist heritage, Modi highlighted Tawang Monastery’s enduring role as a centre of Buddhist faith and learning. He said the exposition at Tawang, Bomdila and Namsai would allow devotees to connect more closely with the State’s Buddhist heritage and teachings. He expressed confidence that the exposition and the international conference on Buddhism being organised as part of the programme would deepen appreciation of the country’s shared Buddhist legacy.
On the occasion, Khandu announced the establishment of the Arunachal Buddhist Confederation to bring together and strengthen the Buddhist traditions and institutions of the State.
He said Arunachal Pradesh had a distinctive Buddhist landscape, with Mahayana and Theravada traditions flourishing in different regions. Mahayana communities are present in Tawang, West Kameng, Mechuka, Tuting, the Taksing area and Anjaw, while Theravada communities are concentrated in Namsai and Changlang.
Khandu said the decision to establish the Confederation followed consultations with senior leaders and representatives of both traditions, including Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and Namsai MLA Jignu Namchoom.
Venerable Agadhamma, Chief Monk of Namsai Pariyatti Sasana Buddhist Vihara, has been selected as the Confederation’s first president, while Thupten Kalden, Director of the Department of Karmik and Adhyatmik Affairs (DoKAA), will serve as its Secretary General. The Confederation will seek affiliation with the International Buddhist Confederation to provide a platform for promoting and strengthening the State’s diverse Buddhist traditions and religious practices.
The Chief Minister also welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement in the Union Budget on the development of Buddhist sites in the Northeast. He said the Ministry of Tourism was working on a policy framework for the initiative following discussions with the Union Tourism Minister. Khandu expressed confidence that the proposed policy would benefit Buddhist heritage sites across Arunachal Pradesh and contribute to their preservation and development.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Union Minister for Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Lok Sabha MP Tapir Gao, legislators, the Chief Secretary, and representatives of the Ministry of Culture, National Museum and International Buddhist Confederation, among others.
