PNS | NEW YORK
Special Secretary to Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, M Hari Krishna attended the exhibition ‘Tree & Serpent: Early Buddhist Art in India, 200 BCE–400 CE’ at The Met Museum in New York. The exhibition showcased over 140 objects highlighting the pre-Buddhist origins in India.
Speaking on the occasion at a press opening for the exhibition, M Hari Krishna extended his best wishes to the gathering on behalf of Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Addressing as a representative of India, the land of Lord Buddha, Hari Krishna said India is known for its religious diversity, the teachings of Buddha inspired billions of people cutting across the religious lines to lead meaningful lives filled with happiness, peace and contentment.
Hari Krishna said that Buddha’s principles of non-violence inspired Emperor Ashoka the Great to give up wars and added that 2000 years later, Mahatma Gandhi, who considered Lord Buddha as one of the greatest teachers, used non-violence and civil disobedience against mighty British empire and led India to independence. He recalled that when American civil rights activists including Martin Luther King Jr and Bayard Rustin adopted Gandhian methods of peaceful resistance, they were essentially following teachings of Lord Buddha.
Mentioning the Ukraine war, the Special Secretary to Chief Minister listed out the ill effects of wars and said the teachings of Buddha, particularly adherence to non-violence are very relevant at these times and wished the leaders, inspired by Buddha will find a solution to the war against Ukraine and use non-coercive modes to create a peaceful world. He also said that Buddhism inspired Vipassana, a popular holistic mode of meditation and added that along with Yoga, Vipassana is a most successful cultural export from India and urged all to practice both of them to derive excellent health benefits.
Hari Krishna said Lord Buddha delivered his first Kalachakra ceremony in Andhra Pradesh 2500 years ago and added that Late Chief Minister YS Rajashekar Reddy facilitated the organisation of Kalachakra congregation in Andhra Pradesh in 2006 and two and half million Buddhist followers participated and esteemed spiritual leader Dalai Lama lead it. He added that Andhra Pradesh is home to several antiques which are associated with Buddha including Amaravati Stupa built in 250 CE and post the kalachakra congregation in 2006, 125 feet Dhyana Buddha statue was built in Amaravati which features eight pillars symbolising Buddha’s eight folds path towards salvation and beneath the structure, there is a well maintained museum dedicated to Lord Buddha.
“Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy promotes the rich cultural heritage of the state through the “Visit Andhra Pradesh” Campaign. He is a strong supporter of world peace. Acknowledging that the Buddha embodies peace and that his teachings are relevant in current times of needless strive, he has encouraged to lend priceless artefacts to this exhibition which are expected to inspire visitors to follow Lord Buddha’s teachings,” said Hari Krishna.
