By IANS,
Kolkata : Condemning the bombings at Bodh Gaya in Bihar, an official of the Maha Bodhi Society of India Sunday said such “shameless” attacks go against the basic tenets of Buddhism that espouses peace.
“Buddhism is for peace. We condemn the bombings. It goes against our faith and our belief in non-violence,” Anand Kumar Barua, member of the city-based Society’s governing body, told IANS.
Established in 1891 in Bodh Gaya (later shifted to Kolkata) to revive Buddhism in the country, the society seeks to promote the sect across the world through its branches in countries like Sri Lanka and US
In the wake of the Sunday morning bombings at Bihar’s 1,500-year old Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya where the Buddha attained enlightenment, around a hundred monks had gathered in the city’s central part in Esplanade to hold a silent vigil in the afternoon.
“We have no words to express … it is disgusting. We had gathered today to protest the attacks in a silent manner,” said Barua while adding that another peace protest will be organised July 12.
At least two Buddhist monks were injured early Sunday in multiple blasts at the temple.
The blasts did not cause any casualty or damage to the temple and the Bodhi tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment, a police officer said.
The temple at Bodh Gaya was built at the spot where the Buddha attained enlightenment over 2,500 years ago. It was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2002.