Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the International Abhidhamma Divas celebrations in New Delhi, marking the recognition of Pali as a classical language. The event, held at Vigyan Bhavan, celebrated Pali’s new status as a tribute to the legacy of Lord Buddha.
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat welcomed PM Modi by presenting him with the Dharmachakra, the 'Wheel of Dharma.' The Prime Minister also honored Buddhist monks during the event.
PM Modi began his address with "Namo Buddha," expressing gratitude for being part of the celebration. He spoke about the power of compassion and goodwill to create a better world. Reflecting on his previous participation in a similar event in 2021 at Kushinagar, he shared his connection with Lord Buddha that dates back to his birthplace in Vadnagar, Gujarat, a significant center of Buddhist heritage.
Modi highlighted his experiences at various Buddhist events globally, including visits to Nepal, the birthplace of Buddha, unveiling Buddha statues in Mongolia, and attending Buddhist ceremonies in Sri Lanka. He extended his best wishes on the occasion of Abhidhamma Divas, Sharad Purnima, and Valmiki Jayanti.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of recognizing Pali as a classical language, calling it a tribute to Lord Buddha's teachings. He explained how understanding Pali is essential for grasping the deeper meanings of Dhamma, which encapsulates Buddha's teachings and guides humanity toward peace and welfare.
Modi noted that although the world continues to be inspired by Buddha's teachings, Pali, the language in which these teachings are preserved, has gradually faded from daily use. He stressed that language is more than a tool for communication; it represents the soul of civilization. Preserving Pali, he said, is vital to keeping Buddha’s teachings in their original form.
The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude for the government's efforts to recognize Pali as a classical language, calling it a step toward honoring Lord Buddha’s millions of followers. He also mentioned future projects aimed at promoting Buddhist principles globally, including the construction of an airport in Kushinagar.
Abhidhamma Divas celebrates Buddha's descent from the celestial realm, and this year's event carried special significance with Pali's new classical status. The teachings of Abhidhamma are preserved in Pali, making the recognition of the language even more meaningful.
The celebration, organized by the Central government and the International Buddhist Confederation, included participation from academicians, monks from 14 countries, and young scholars from Indian universities.
Earlier this month, the Union Cabinet, led by PM Modi, granted Classical Language status to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali. This recognition honors the historical and cultural contributions of these languages and strengthens India's rich linguistic heritage.
These languages join Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia, which were previously recognized as Classical Languages. The designation of Classical Languages was introduced in 2004, with criteria including a recorded history of 1,500-2,000 years, ancient literature, and a distinct identity from modern forms.
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