The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu organized a special program today to commemorate Ashadh Purnima. The event saw participation from representatives of various Buddhist communities and monasteries.
During the program, prayers were conducted by the Theravada, Mahayana, and Bajrayana Sanghas, who recited and offered prayers from Buddhist scriptures. Deputy Chief of Mission Prasanna Srivastava highlighted the significance of Lord Buddha’s teachings and noted that the sacred Buddhist sites in India and Nepal serve as symbols of the shared cultural heritage between the two nations.
Srivastava emphasized the enduring relationship between India and Nepal, strengthened over centuries, and recognized Buddhism as a unifying force between the two countries. He remarked that Ashadh Purnima marks the day when Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon to his five ascetic disciples in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh.
Following his enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, Lord Buddha’s sermon introduced the ‘Four Noble Truths’ and the ‘Noble Eightfold Path.’ This day is celebrated as the ‘First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma,’ underscoring its profound importance in Buddhist tradition.
