Buddhism is philosophy, science

Kolkata, Jan 15 (UNI) The Dalai Lama today defined Buddhism not as a religion but as a way of life or a science of mind and said he wanted people to experience a combination of philosophy, science and religion through Buddhism.

Addressing his followers, His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, said '' I am very happy to be here as we Tibetan Buddhists have a special connection with Bengal as Sanrakshit, a great philosopher and magician of Bengal in the 8th century, was the first to preach Buddhism in Tibet''.

Hundreds of people had gathered at the Eastern Zonal Cultural Committee (EZCC) to have a glimpse of the 14th Dalai Lama who was in the city today to observe the 2250th Buddha Jayanti.

The West Bengal Buddhist Association (WBBA) organised the function.

State Minister for Minority Developement and Welfare Abdus Sattar paying his homage to His Holiness said, Buddhism was not a religion but a sign of mind. He further said that the principles of this religion should be implemented in the present day where the people suffered from identity crisis.

The WBBA chairman said that the association had been working hard to rejuvinate Buddhism in the land where Lord Buddha was born. The association also urged the government to make Buddha Jayanti a National Festival.

UNI