Over 1,500 Buddhist Monks From 17 Countries Gather To Pray For World Peace In Odisha’s Jajpur

Jajpur: More than 1,500 Buddhist monks and followers have congregated at Uadaygiri and Ratnagiri in Odisha’s Jajpur district to pay for world peace.

The Buddhist monks from 17 countries have turned up to participate in the international Buddhist meet. The event, organised by International Buddhist Foundation and Udaygiri Buddha Mahotsav Committee, is held in memory of first Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche.

Started on January 12, the meet will continue till January 16. The monks are participating in Guru Padmasambhava chanting programme on the occasion.

Belonging to the area, Guru Rinpoche had passed away in Udaygiri. Lord Buddha has also spent some time in the place. Udaygiri, Lalitgiri along with Ratnagiri are known as Buddhist golden triangle. The local people and Buddhists have been demanding World Heritage status for the triangle.

“There has been long time aspiration in the hearts and minds of all the Buddhists who follow the teachings of Padmasambhava to hold such a gathering in memory and gratitude of Guru Padmasambhava, especially here in this holy place, because we believe and many historians now believe that Guruji probably was born in Odisha, but it is very sure that from here he carried the Buddha Dharma to Tibet and the rest of the Himalayas,” Hindustan Times quoted head of the Padmasambhava monastery in Jiranga telling ANI.

Describing Guru Padmasambhava, the monk said that Guru Padmasambhava is considered as second God. “Without him, there would be no Buddhism in the whole of human life, in the whole of Tibet and because the Buddha Shakyamuni himself prophesied in the Parinirvana Sutra about the coming of the second Buddha that is Padmasambhava”.