Dalai Lama among the invitees for Bhumi Pujan

Buddhist spiritual leader expresses inability to be physically present for the ceremony amid Covid pandemic

 

New Delhi(Agencies):His Holiness the Dalai Lama is among the religious and spiritual figures who have been invited to take part in the ‘Bhumi Pujan’ ceremony in Ayodhya on Wednesday for the construction of Ram Mandir.

A source said that the Office of the Dalai Lama – the supreme Buddhist spiritual leader – had been approached by Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerath Kshetra Trust with the invitation.

He, however, has conveyed his inability to take part in the ceremony physically as a precautionary health measure in view of the Covid pandemic and his old age, said the source.

Those who know the Dalai Lama say that his mobility is getting progressively reduced on account of his advanced age.

The Dalai Lama holds India's ancient and rich spiritual tradition and knowledge, especially the Nalanda school of thought, in high esteem. He has often expressed his admiration for them in his public discourse.

He has often opined that India could emerge as a leader and torch-bearer in spirituality, metaphysics and ethics, and universal values in the world community in the modern and scientific era, based on its cumulative wisdom accreted through its long history of civilisation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take part in the ceremony amidst strict norms of physical distancing in view of the Covid pandemic.

The Trust has invited spiritual figures and leaders of different faiths for the ceremony.

The invitees include chairperson of the Shia Central Waqf Board Syed Waseem Rizvi and head of the Sunni Central Waqf Board Zufar Ahmad Farooqi.

Meanwhile, soil from about 2,000 religious and spiritual sites, and waters of about 200 holy rivers have arrived in Ayodhya. More are en route. They will be intermingled in a proposed ‘kalash (reliquary)’ during the ceremony.

According to reports, the invitees for the religious ceremony have started arriving in Ayodhya. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat among others have already landed.