NONGTAW, Nov 20: Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein unveiled 14 Lord Buddha’s 11-ft tall sacred statues, dedicated by different individuals, at Mahabodhi Skill Development Centre (MSDC) here on Sunday to maintaining its pristine serenity and arrest rampant shifting cultivation.
Mein, after inaugurating handloom weaving and carpentry workshop, monk’s dining hall and laying foundation stone of a hostel building for trainees and an administrative block there, said that total 108 statues signify 108 qualities of Lord Buddha.
The Mahabhodi Society to impart Mahabhodi Skill Development has been opening its centers across the country and could go beyond spiritualism to work in health and educational sectors too, he said, adding that Namsai’s Mahabodhi Lord Buddha College set up in 2013 and affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University. This college would become an in future, he hoped.
He termed MSDC as a learning institute and Monastic Institute of Buddhist are based on Gurukul System while a school would also be set up soon to impart monastic teaching along with the CBSE education. It would become a premier spiritual and tourist destination, he said and urged for collective support of the societys.
The 10-bedded monks’ hostel would be built with voluntary contributions to promote spiritualism and mental peace, he said and hinted at building a 108-feet statue of Lord Buddha on the hill top as an emblematic addition to the MSDC’s beauty. He assured to build approach roads and security fencing around the Centre to protect its large sprawling area from encroachment. He lauded initiative of MSDC director Ven Bikkhu Sangharakkhita for his innovativeness to develop it as an echo-friendly centre.
Two books – Basics of Buddhism and Living Legacy of the Buddha- dedicated to DCM and his family were also released.
Former Minister CC Singpho, Mahabodhi Maitri Mandala Arunachal Centres chairman Ven. Bhikkhu Panyarakkhita, Bengaluru’s Mahabodhi Monastic Institute director Ven. Bhikkhu Panyaloka, Namsai ZPC Urmila Manchykhun, top district officers, among others, were present. (PRO)
20
