India reaches out to Indonesia's Buddhist community

Jakarta, May 25: India has reached out to the large Buddhist community in Indonesia, which has the world’s largest Muslim population, by organising an exhibition on the Buddha.

“Buddha Carika - In the footsteps of Shakyamuni Buddha” was iugurated in the Gedung Prasadha Jirakkhita in Indonesia’s capital Jakarta Sunday, the Indian embassy said in a statement. The famous Prasadha  Jirakkhita has been built through the efforts of Mahabhiksu Ashin Jirakkhita Mahasthavira who was instrumental in spreading Buddhism in Indonesia and uniting all the sects of Buddhism under one organisation.

The opening ceremony was attended by Mahasthavira Nyamaitri who represents all the three sects of Buddhism in Indonesia — Mahaya, Theravada and Budayan — and the Indian Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor Leste, Gurjit Singh. Mahasthavira Nyamaitri thanked the government and embassy of India for bringing the exhibition to Indonesia, and hoped that through this exhibition people of Indonesian will learn more about Lord Buddha. The exhibition has been brought to Indonesia as part of the ongoing “Sahabat India - The Festival of India in Indonesia”.  (IANS)