A REWARD FOR DEDICATION Bhikshus from Thailand present the statue
KHARGHAR: Satyagraha College in Kharghar has been preaching Buddhism ever since its foundation. However, it is only this year that they got the permission from Mumbai University to start their separate Pali and Buddhism Department in the academic year 2012-2013.
SATISH JADHAV
The idol of Lord Buddha is made from a mixture of Ashtadhatu (eight metals) and weighs 250 kg costing approximately Rs 6 lakh.
As a mark of admiration and gratitude for the institution’s continuous
and dedicated efforts in promoting the Buddhist art and culture, a group
of bhikshus from Thailand gifted them a 7 ft. Lord Buddha statue. The
installation ceremony that took place last Sunday on July 9 was held in
the Supparak Bhavan at the entrance of the college. In addition to this,
a 3.4 ft. statue of Dr BR Ambedkar was also placed besides the Buddha
statue.
Venerable hrakhrusopolijatiyathorn conducted the installation ceremony. The other bhikshus present were Venerable Phrakhruphothirattanatham, Thailand, Venerable Phrasamusawek suplang, Venerable Phramahathongma Sangaroon, Valapa Nualmanee, Vijitra Sawanpornpen, Nantida Pasathika, Tanawan Kerdet, Thanyalak Apichaipat, Nong Wattaso, Tharee Sugnetra and Nguen Vonphachanh.
Venerable hrakhrusopolijatiyathorn conducted the installation ceremony. The other bhikshus present were Venerable Phrakhruphothirattanatham, Thailand, Venerable Phrasamusawek suplang, Venerable Phramahathongma Sangaroon, Valapa Nualmanee, Vijitra Sawanpornpen, Nantida Pasathika, Tanawan Kerdet, Thanyalak Apichaipat, Nong Wattaso, Tharee Sugnetra and Nguen Vonphachanh.
The idol of Lord Buddha is made from a mixture of Ashtadhatu
(eight metals) and weighs 250 kg costing approximately Rs 6 lakh.
“In today’s contemporary world, it is important to teach the students the principles of equality, fraternity justice, brotherhoodness in all walks of life. The statute of Buddha Jinraja is a symbol of morality and constitutional ethos and I believe that all my students should idolise and follow these in their life in order to achieve success and spread happiness among others,” said Dr DG Dongargaonkar, the principal of Satyagraha College.
The college is the only institution across the four districts (Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurgh and Thane) which conduct a three year degree course in Buddhism and Pali language. “This year, 56 students have taken admission in the said course with us. Since it’s the tradition of Thailand to honour them who practice, preach and promote their culture, our college was also rewarded with the beautiful Buddha idol acknowledging our efforts,” said the Principal.
The Thai monks, apart from gifting the Buddha statue also donated an amount of Rs 20,000 to the college in order to encourage them more to promote Buddhism. The college faculties believe that the placing of the Lord’s statue will have a humble and positive effect on the students.
“In today’s contemporary world, it is important to teach the students the principles of equality, fraternity justice, brotherhoodness in all walks of life. The statute of Buddha Jinraja is a symbol of morality and constitutional ethos and I believe that all my students should idolise and follow these in their life in order to achieve success and spread happiness among others,” said Dr DG Dongargaonkar, the principal of Satyagraha College.
The college is the only institution across the four districts (Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurgh and Thane) which conduct a three year degree course in Buddhism and Pali language. “This year, 56 students have taken admission in the said course with us. Since it’s the tradition of Thailand to honour them who practice, preach and promote their culture, our college was also rewarded with the beautiful Buddha idol acknowledging our efforts,” said the Principal.
The Thai monks, apart from gifting the Buddha statue also donated an amount of Rs 20,000 to the college in order to encourage them more to promote Buddhism. The college faculties believe that the placing of the Lord’s statue will have a humble and positive effect on the students.
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