Officials join in prayers marking Buddha Jayanti

Hyderabad: The 2561st Buddha Jayanti was celebrated with gusto and fervour in the city, Nagarjunasagar and elsewhere in the state. Legislative Council chairman Swami Goud paid floral tributes to Lord Buddha at the Buddha statue in the midst of Hussainsagar lake where monks along with scores of other Buddhists held a prayer meeting. The Department of Archaeology and Museums threw open to the public rare Buddhist relics, Buddha idols, photographs and other literature at the State Museum in Public Gardens.

Tourism Secretary B. Venkatesam, TS Tourism Development Corporation managing director Dr Christina Z. Chongthu, archaeology officials, monks and others participated in the programme. They visited various Buddhist galleries in the museum and later participated in the prayer meeting. TSTDC is keen to make the state a Buddhist hub to appeal to tourists from South Asian countries.

TSTDC plans to promote the rich Buddhist sites in various parts of the state, including Hyderabad and other places. Buddha's noble eightfold path - right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration - was highlighted among other teachings at the prayer meetings.

"People should follow the ideal laid down by Lord Buddha to promote truth, dharma among others," Mr. Venkatesam said. Buddha Jayanti was also celebrated at Buddha Vanam in Nagarjunasagar. Buddha Vanam project chairman Mallepalli Laxmaiah, Buddhist monks and others participated in the celebration.