Buddhism strikes its roots in Gandhidham

DNA India, Jan 3, 2012

Bhuj, India -- Gujarat has many Buddhist heritage sites but it can now boast of a ‘live’ site at Gandhidham in Kutch district. It is in the form of a sapling from the original Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya under which Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment 2,600 years ago.

The sapling on Monday was planted on the premises of the sprawling port colony here by the Gandhidham-based chapter of Buddha Light International Association (BLIA).

However, before planting the sapling, the BLIA took out a peace march in the town with the sapling.

The holy sapling was planted in the presence of renowned Japanese Buddhist monk, Therasavji, who is also a UN ambassador for world peace. Therasavji is currently

touring the country and had especially come to Gandhidham for the event.

Rupa Bhaty, noted architect and president of Gujarat chapter of BLIA, said that the sapling had been planted on the premises of the port colony temporarily. It will be shifted to the BLIA Park that is to be built in the port town soon, she said.

“We are happy that by planting in Gandhidham a sapling from the original Bodhi tree, we are in a way restoring the state’s Buddhist heritage. We received the sapling a month back from the Global Buddhist Congregation, New Delhi,” she said.

Bhaty further said that Bodhi tree saplings from Anuradhapura (in Sri Lanka), and Bodh Gaya and Sravasti had been distributed in all countries where Buddhism is practiced as a religion. She further said that a large number of Dhamma practitioners and ordinary people had taken part in the peace procession on Monday.

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Buddhism strikes its roots in Gandhidham

DNA India, Jan 3, 2012