Bhopal: Underlining the fact that India adheres to the glorious philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, President Droupadi Murmu averred on Friday “we emphasise that peace and not conflict” is the way forward.
“Our nation has been endeavouring to clarify global perceptions; in our country dharma has occupied a cardinal place since ancient times,” the First Citizen averred during her 16-minute-long inaugural address at the 7th International Dharma Dhamma Conference in the Madhya Pradesh capital’s Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Centre.
Eastern humanism believes that sightless impulses lead to strife between individuals – and worse – among nations; she observed and added that the doctrine perceives the universe as a moral stage and not a material battleground.
“Selfless joy is a vital element of this humanism whose principal message comprises friendship, compassion and non-violence. Its speciality is that it reveals the path for alleviating sorrow. Maintaining the system of ethics is a universal duty. Dharma provides an omnipresent base and is a manifold path. It is said that religion is a ship that may pitch and roll but never sinks. Indian tradition did not spring from philosophical exercises alone but the actual experiences of truth seekers. That is precisely the reason why such tenets are termed darshana and the founder of every school of thinking is called a seer or daarshanik,” the Supreme Commander said.
She also outlined the beliefs of Maharishi Patanjali and Guru Nanak.
Referring to the Father of the Nation, the President said that Mahatma Gandhi’s life values were inspired by the teachings of Gautam Buddha and Bapu equated the ideal state with Ramrajya.
“Our post-Independence democratic system reveals a profound impression of dharma. Every individual must be action-oriented; in the epic Mahabharata, the grandsire Bhishma himself says, ‘I consider personal endeavours as supreme.’ Global recognition of Yoga is a milestone indeed,” she added.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan boasts a Shakyamuni idol that is about one-and-a-half millennia old and in Abhayamudra (gesture of fearlessness) – blessing one and all, Mrs Murmu said.
“Two saplings from Gaya’s peepul tree – under which Prince Siddhartha meditated – were planted on the Bhavan premises by my predecessor Mr Ram Nath Kovind. A Rashtrapati Bhavan corridor contains approximately 70 verses from the Bhagavadgita. I hope the world shall benefit by a message of humanism in tandem with development,” the President observed.
Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion were Governor Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and delegates from many foreign lands including Sri Lanka.
