Wishing all Indian citizens a joyous and meaningful celebration of Indian nationhood.

Today marks the 70th anniversary of India’s independence.  Nalanda Buddhist Society Malaysia would like to wish all Indian citizens a joyous and meaningful celebration of Indian nationhood.

The Republic of India today is a confident world power with a growing economy driven by a young population.  It is a major hub for technological innovation that facilitates many cutting-edge industries, including the race to outer-space.  Yet, India is also a land of antiquity and deep spirituality.  Most importantly, to Buddhists worldwide, it was the land where our Great Teacher, the Buddha, came to be.

The India of antiquity hosted great Buddhist learning centres of Nalanda Mahavihāra, Vikramashila, Somapura, and Odantapuri.

Even to date, Buddhism is arguably the ‘greatest ever export’ from India.  She had produced countless Buddhas and Arahants, as well as given us generations of Dhamma teachers, scholars and commentators.  Who can forget the glorious Buddhist learning centres of Nalanda Mahavihāra, Vikramashila, or Odantapuri?  To thee, India, we feel a deep sense of gratitude!

We hope and aspire that one day, the Buddha-Dhamma which emanated from India will return to her shores – to her majestic mountains, valleys and great plains – to once again nourish the hearts of millions, and to bring them the greatest fulfilment of human existence – liberation from ‘Samsara’.

May India be ever blessed by the Three Jewels – “Jai’ho” !

India is a land of stark beauty, such as this valley in Ladakh which is the source of River Indus, nestled deep in the high Himalayas.

India is also a land teeming with spirituality, being a pilgrimage centre for Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs, and Ba’hais, alike.