Today, millions of people celebrate Buddha Purnima, and on this auspicious occasion the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama said although the world has changed substantially since the time of the Buddha, yet the essence of his teaching remains as relevant today as it was 2,600 years ago. Offering greetings to fellow Buddhists to commemorate the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and entering into Mahaparinirvana, the spiritual leader said the Buddha’s teaching is essentially practical.

People must come together to overcome global threats, including COVID-19, Tibetan religious leader Dalai Lama said on Wednesday.

In his message for Buddhists on Buddha Purnima, the Nobel Peace Laureate said that by developing a sense of respect for others and a concern for their welfare, one could reduce their self-centredness, which is the source of many problems.

“I started my Buddhist education as a child and although I am now nearly 86 years old, I am still learning. Even though our world has changed substantially since the time of Buddha, the essence of his teaching remains as relevant today as it was 2,600 years ago,” he said in a statement.

“…Let us all join together in doing whatever we can to overcome the global threats we face, including the COVID-19 pandemic that has brought such pain and hardship across the world,” he added.

He stressed that Buddha’s advice was to avoid harming others and to help them always in whatever way possible.

Let us live by the teachings of Lord Buddha to make the world a better place. Happy Buddha Jayanti!