Zanskar, March 02, 2021: The Ladakh Buddhist Association Youth Wing Zanskar has condemned the controversial statement by Swami Rambhadracharya on Lord Buddha.

The youth wing of the LBA Zanskar condemned the statement in a public notice today.

“We, the Buddhist community from Zanskar, are writing this letter to raise our collective voice in condemnation of the statement made by Swami Rambhadracharya, which was published in Hindi new paper namely “AMARUJALA” in which he showed disrespected against the most revered ‘LORD BUDDHA’ on 24 Feb 2021″, read the letter.

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“The remarks made by Swami Rambhadracharya is against the very spirit of fraternity and ‘Unity in Diversity’ which is one of the core value of Indian constitution and we believe such remarks should be condemned not only by us but by all the peace loving people of this beautiful country. The fact that this statement came from a revered Swami increases the gravity of the situation and we would like to express that the fact that such statement was made by a man who received Padma Vibushan (India’s second highest civilian honour) and who is also the Chancellor of University, especially a Swami who is supposed to be respecting the religious sentiments of others, created sadness and surprise among the Buddhist community”, the letter added.

“We unequivocally in strong words condemn the hate speech made by Swami Rambhadracharya against our most revered Lord Buddha.”

“Unlike the statement made by the Swami Rambhadracharya, world believe that the teachings of Lord Buddha are a relevant in the current times as they were earlier. There is no doubt that the need of abiding by the value that Lord Buddha preached is eternal and it is valued for all times to come and for all the generations to come.”

“Teachings of Lord Buddha has immense contribution in making India leaders in terms of Soft Power and now the world looks to India for its soft power.”

“The teachings of Lord Buddha were relevant in the Past.
The Teaching of Lord Buddha are Relevant in the Present.
The Teaching of Lord Buddha will remain Relevant in the Future.
The teachings of Lord Buddha will guide this Motherland India to the status of Super Power”, the letter maintained.

“As such, we the Buddhist community from India seeks an unconditional apology from Swami Rambhadracharya for his irresponsibly and baseless statement made against the most revered LORD BUDDHA. Such speech and expression must be anathema in this beautiful country, which has a tradition of respecting Unity in Diversity and these expressions must be taken as an acts of violence that threatens core values of Constitution of India. We hope more peaceful language to be used instead of such statement against the most peaceful community of this peace loving nation.”

The youth wing appealed for an unconditional written apology from Swami Rambhadracharya.