In recent news, the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), has announced that they will celebrate the upcoming Asadha Poornima on July 4th, 2020 as Dharma Chakra Day.
Key Points and Significance of the Celebration
The celebrations are scheduled to commence with chanting of prayers at Sarnath, Varanasi, which will be livestreamed. The opening event will be shifted to Rashtrapati Bhavan thereafter.
Asadha Poornima, also referred to as Esala Poya in Sri Lanka and Asanha Bucha in Thailand, falls on the first full moon day of the month of Asadha as per Indian sun calendar. This auspicious day marks Buddha’s first teaching post Enlightenment to his first five ascetic disciples at ‘Deer Park’, currently known as Sarnath, near Varanasi, India.
This teaching is referred to as Dhamma Cakka-PavattanaSutta (Pali) or Dharma chakra Pravartana Sutra (Sanskrit) and is also recognized as the First Turning of Wheels of Dharma, encompassing the Four Noble Truths and Noble Eightfold Path.
Rainy Season Retreat and Guru Poornima
From July to October, a Rainy Season retreat, known as Varsha Vassa, commences for Monks and Nuns. During this period, they stay in a single place, usually their temples, for intensive meditation. Besides Buddhists, Hindus also observe this day as Guru Poornima, marking their reverence to their Gurus.
Guru Purnima is dedicated to Maharshi Veda Vyasa, the sage believed to have edited the holy Hindu text, the Vedas, created the 18 Puranas, Mahabharata, and the Srimad Bhagavatam.
Influence of Buddhism in Diplomacy
Buddhism holds a crucial role in present-day geopolitics, particularly in Asia. Anyone controlling the Buddhist discourse and activities will wield influence over Asia. The Dharma Chakra Day celebration is being promoted as an event to showcase India’s robust Buddhist heritage amidst tensions with China.
India-China Relations and the Use of Buddhism as Diplomatic Tool
The timing of the Dharma Chakra Day holds significance, as it occurs during a period when both nations seek to re-establish their connections. To signify that like-minded countries are uniting sends across a powerful message given the current geopolitical climate.
However, this requires continuous effort, strategic cultural moves, and a reassessment of India-China policy. Meanwhile, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) encourages Tibetan Buddhists to participate in the online event in large numbers to support and appreciate the effort.
Chinese Perspective On Buddhism
On the other hand, the People’s Republic of China (PRC)’s World Buddhist Forum (WBF) has been hosting congregations of buddhist monks since 2005. The extensive infrastructure investment of China in Buddha’s birthplace, Lumbini in Nepal, is seen as a strategic move to claim the Buddhist legacy.
Suggestions and Way Forward
Although Buddhism might have diminished in India as a broadly practised religion, it remains a crucial part of India’s civilisational ethos. More buddhist corridors, including regions like Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh should be established.
Furthermore, nodal centres for people-to-people exchanges should be created for visitors from South Korea, Taiwan and other countries. It would greatly help if India promotes its own Buddhist streams and strengthens original Buddhism.
Indeed, reaching out to Chinese Buddhist devotees could also be rewarding for India in the long run. It is worth noting that India managed to win the hearts and minds of the Chinese for 200 years without sending a single troop to China. The development and promotion of Buddhism as a diplomatic tool can be powerful, but it is important that the essence of the religion is not lost in these efforts.
