PM Narendra Modi at Mahabodhi Temple Saturday. (Source: Express photo by Prashant Ravi) PM Narendra Modi at Mahabodhi Temple Saturday. (Source: Express photo by Prashant Ravi)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday said that while there is no problem in practising one’s religion, conflict arises when radical elements try to force their ideology on others.

He also said the Centre would help development Bodh Gaya into a spiritual capital and establish “civilisational bond between India and the Buddhist world”. Modi, who is only the third Indian PM to have visited Bodh Gaya, stressed on the importance of his visit coinciding with Teachers’ Day and Janmashtami and called both Buddha and Krishna great teachers.

Modi was speaking at the concluding function of the Hindu Buddhist Conference on Conflict Avoidance and Environmental Consciousness.

“On the issue of conflicts — most of which are driven by religious intolerance — the participants of the conference seem to have agreed that while there is no problem about the freedom to practise one’s religion, it is when radical elements try to force their own ideologies on others, that the potential for conflict arises,” said Modi, who also stressed on the need to protect natural resources and align development with local culture.

“I revere how Buddhists treat Bodh Gaya as a place of pilgrimage. We in India would like to develop Bodh Gaya so that it can become the spiritual capital and civilisational bond between India and the Buddhist world. The government of India would like to provide all possible support that its Buddhist cousin nations need for the satisfaction of their spiritual needs from the holiest of holy places for them,” Modi said.

Representatives of 47 countries took part in the function. Bihar Minister Shyam Rajak welcomed the PM at Gaya airport on the state’s behalf. The PM also presented a box containing two leaves and soil from Lumbini, Bodh Gaya and Kushinagar to three monks from outside India.

He was shown a presentation on development of Buddhist sites, with a special focus on a Gujarat government team’s presentation about a Buddhist site at Devni Mori in Aravalli district, which has potential to become a major tourist destination. The project architect later said that “the government is acquiring over 100 acres for it”. Modi also offered prayers at Mahabodhi temple’s sanctum sanctorum and meditated under the Bodhi tree.

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