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The silent departure of Lord Tathagata Buddha in Bengal during Durga Puja Festival is the shame of the entire Bengal!!!
Kolkata
The incident happened a few days ago but came to attention recently.
One of the incarnations of Indian deities and the world, the statue of Lord Tathagata Buddha has been removed and another statue has been installed in stone throw distance of Navanna the CM office in Bengal. This information came in public the social media Facebook post.
Various Buddhist organizations such as Bharatiya Sangharaj Bhikkhu Mahasabha (West Bengal), Siddharth United Social Welfare Mission, West Bengal Buddha Jayanti Celebration Committee etc. drew the attention of the administration and requested for the respectful restoration of Lord Buddha statue.
Protest at all levels to respectfully replace the Buddha statue and appeal to the Supreme Court to prevent such acts from happening everywhere in the country. This is so amazing that we are shocked. Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, the pioneer in the history of India, 10 major Buddhist countries in the world including Tibet, Japan, China, South East Asia, India should not be forgotten.
Buddhist monk Buddhapriya Mahathero Siddharth United Social Welfare Mission Leader said, “We all Buddhist devotees and followers humbly request the District Magistrate and the administration to correct the mistake quickly. Hopefully the administration will kindly consider our request. Jai Bhagwan Buddha”
General Secretary of AIRA International Reporter’s Association, West Bengal Mr. Suman Munshi said, “It is against the culture of Bengal to have a statue of a great man,a religious gurus with million of people’s faith and emotions. I hope the administration will quickly find out in what sense it dares to insult Lord Buddha’s followers. It has been shown. Strong protest and condemnation of the matter will be done by any intelligent person. Let there be awareness at all levels of the administration.”
In this regard, Dr. Dhiresh Chowdhury, one of the members of Geriatrics and Complex Disease Specialist Association, West Bengal branch, said in his Facebook post, which I have given to our readers with his permission,below is the translated writeup:
“Strongly condemn and protest – but not in any sectarian way, but the mentality and audacity to behave inconsiderately and arrogantly –
When everyone in this puja bazaar is full of festivities since about two weeks before the start of puja, it is certain that the matter has escaped everyone’s eyes or even if it has been noticed, it has not occurred to them to give importance to it. Because who cares about the disrespect of the Buddha image…and those are just a few Buddhists!!! If a group of dhakis play the dhaka, the tone of their throats can be suppressed.
Yes, the incident I am talking about may come across Facebook posts while surfing. To tell you the truth, I myself have known it that way. The sudden removal of the long-standing Buddha statue in a government park on the right side of Kerry Road near Satraganchi on the Kona Express is likely to symbolize the Santal rebellion or some tribal rebellion. A very common thing in obese eyes. But if you see it that way, it is a big blow to the emotions and honor of those who are followers or fans of Buddhism. Several Bengali Buddhist organizations have already protested in writing to the administration. It is certainly a logical and timely step. Their demand is to restore the Buddha statue in its place.
However, I see it a little differently. Maybe the majority will not agree with me.
I do not believe in the demand to return the Buddha image to its place. Even if that claim is accepted, it does not prove any victory or achievement. In some sense, the Buddha’s greatness has not been diminished by the actions of the people who did it. Because the honor of this world-renowned great man does not depend on where the Buddha statue sat and did not sit. And no one could have done such a thing if he had this feeling. Rather, our demand should be that the Buddha image cannot be installed wherever the mind wants. Buddha is not an object of fine decoration. This feeling has to be awakened. Those who don’t have it will have to explain it with their eyes. This warning should be communicated to the administration or all concerned levels. And the fact that there will be a strong protest if this is done should also be explained so that everyone is alert. Not only in parks but also in movie theaters, shopping malls, salons, inside salons where massages are done almost naked. It has also been seen. So we have to change our perspective.
Sure everyone can do all these things we are very minority community people. Our vote is insignificant in that sense. But regrettably, some of our people are also shamelessly busy just for personal gain. A brilliant presence does not depend only on numbers but a handful of numbers are sometimes very strong in their own qualities and personalities. Then people are forced to think, to agree, to be cautious in taking any action…that place we have to hold. A pacifist does not mean a weak person, but it should be explained in a slightly different way…
Remember now again the demand to remove an architecture (said to be a tribal symbol) will hurt some people’s emotions again. That too is never desirable. A prosperous Buddhist society like ours should not belittle themselves by demanding that the opposite should be protested. Explain to the administration or concerned authorities Let this demand and protest be given to awaken their consciousness…”
Responsibility towards the minority is not only a constitutional but also a social responsibility, so let’s hope Gautama Buddha’s re-entry into the land of Mother Earth will be like a king and it will be well before the Puja carnival.
We are drawing the attention of all authorities including the Chief Minister, Governor in this regard to restore contitutional respect for religion and minorities.
