India Is the Living Guardian of Buddha’s Legacy: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday underlined India’s civilisational responsibility towards Buddhism, saying the sacred relics of Bhagwan Buddha are not just archaeological artifacts but an inseparable part of India’s heritage, as he inaugurated the Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics.

Addressing the gathering, PM Modi said India’s relationship with Buddhism goes beyond custodianship. The Prime Minister described India as both the guardian and the living embodiment of the Buddha’s legacy.

“India is not only the custodian of the sacred relics of Bhagwan Buddha, but also a living carrier of that timeless tradition,” PM Modi said, noting that the country continues to draw inspiration from Buddhist values of compassion, peace and coexistence.

He added that the message of the Buddha transcends geography and time. “The wisdom and path shown by Bhagwan Buddha belong to all of humanity. Bhagwan Buddha belongs to everyone and unites us all,” he said.

Referring to India’s outreach to the global Buddhist community, PM Modi said India has made sustained efforts to preserve and promote Buddhist heritage worldwide. “India has made continuous efforts to contribute to the development of Buddhist heritage sites across the world,” he said, pointing to initiatives to restore ancient sites, improve pilgrimage infrastructure and strengthen cultural exchanges with Buddhist-majority nations.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the government’s emphasis on reviving and promoting Pali, the language in which many of the Buddha’s teachings were originally composed. “Bhagwan Buddha’s teachings are originally in the Pali language. Our effort is to take Pali to a broader audience,” the Prime Minister said, adding that granting Pali the status of a classical language was a step in that direction.

The Piprahwa relics, discovered in Uttar Pradesh in the late 19th century, are among the most significant archaeological explorations linked to the Buddha and are believed to include remains associated with him. The international exposition aims to showcase these relics to a global audience, reinforcing India’s role as the spiritual heartland of Buddhism.

PM Modi said the exposition was not only an exhibition of history but also a reminder of the enduring relevance of the Buddha’s message in a world grappling with conflict and division.

“The teachings of Bhagwan Buddha continue to guide humanity towards peace, harmony and mutual respect,” he said.