Buddhist thoughts, culture to be showcased

By Our Staff Reporter
Bhopal, Nov 27: 
The Culture Department will organise 'Sambodhi' festival at Sanchi from November 29 to December 1 at Sanchi. The festival aiming at showcasing Buddhist thoughts and culture will be organised with the cooperation of Scheduled Caste Welfare Department and Madhya Pradesh Tourism.
Director Culture Shriram Tiwari informed that lakhs of tourists visit Sanchi, which is a world-famous Buddhist place of pilgrimage, every year from Tibet, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Sri Lanka as well as India. Sanchi is famous for its Stupas, Sanghaghars (Vihars), temples and pillars, which were built between 3rd century BC and 12th century AD Sanchi Stupa No 1 is most famous among these monuments. It was built by Morya emperor Ashoka. His wife hailed from Vidisha Janpad. There is a temple also nearby where relics of Buddhist religious heads are kept. Stupas of Sanchi have been declared as World Heritage.
Buddhism emerged in India. Mahatma Buddha had propagated 10 Shilas based on non-violence. Buddhism calls for unity for all. Later, these pious thoughts traversed beyond India to other countries of the world.
Buddha was born in India 2700 years ago. His concept of Madhyamarg (middle path) is still relevant. The Indian ethos does not accept extremism in any stream of life. Artistic traditions cannot take birth and survive in the atmosphere of extremism. Buddha's thoughts are unique and unparalleled in the sense that he laid stress on purity and truth in every walk of life. It is peace, harmony and brotherhood, which ultimately manifest them in varied forms of culture and art.
Sambodhi festival is being organised keeping in view Sanchi's world-fame, number of national and international tourists and for creating an atmosphere of peace and brotherhood.
Buddhists demonstrative arts of may countries and dance dramas based on the life of Lord Buddha will be held during the festival. Exponents of Buddhist demonstrative arts from foreign countries as well as Northeastern states of India and Buddha Vihars of Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh are being invited for this festival.
It may be mentioned that various types of masks and apparatus are artistically made as per Buddhist traditions in various countries as well as parts of India. An exhibition of originals and photocopies of these articles is also being organised during the festival.