BHUBANESWAR: Ancient Odisha was known for the religious consciousness of its people and architectural prowess of Odia sculptors. It was Kalinga, where a mighty king, Ashoka, underwent transformation of character and pioneered to spread Buddhism across southern Asia, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan said.
Addressing a function at Buddha Vihar here on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti, Pradhan said Jagannath temple at Puri is a classic example of robust sculpture of ancient Odisha. There are four iron beams supporting the Jagamohan of the temple which was built around 900 years back, he added.
"The quality of work of our adroit sculptors can be assessed from the fact that the structures stood intact over almost a millennium," Pradhan said. The Union Minister asserted that a disciplined family always prospers, indicating towards the basic tenets, Panchsheel of Buddhism.
Chief Speaker at the event, renowned poet Shantanu Acharya highlighted that Buddhism refers to 'shunyvaad' (emptiness). However, this emptiness is not vacuum rather there is invisible matter in the form of knowledge and awakening filled in it, he said. The first Buddhist Congress was organised by Samrat Ashoka in Kalinga Pradesh on the foothills of Dhauli after he reformed from Chandashoka to Dharmashoka, he added.
Speaking on the occasion, former Diplomat Abasar Beuria said Baisakh Purnima is unique and holy as Gautama Buddha's birth, enlightenment and demise occurred on this day. The Buddha temple in Bhubaneswar has its own importance as the sapling of the Mahabodhi tree here was planted by the then Prime Minister of Burma.
The sacred sapling was brought from Sri Lanka, Beuria added.
Architectural findings at places like Lalitgiri, Udayagiri, Langudi and Boudh indicate that once a rich Buddhist culture flourished in these places. Efforts are required to build a museum for the preservation and protection of these monuments, he added.
Convenor of Trinamool Congress, Odisha, Arya Kumar Gyanendra, former VC of Utkal University of Culture Bimalendu Mohanty and secretary of Odisha centre of Mahabodhi Society of India Souribandhu Mohapatra also spoke.