Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has sought Japan's help to develop the Indian heritage city of Varanasi, where the Buddha delivered his first sermon to five disciples at Sarnath. Mr. Modi expressed his appeal during an official four-day visit to Japan from 30 August–2 September.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the Golden Pavilion Temple in Kyoto.
From www.telegraphindia.com
According to a report in The Assam Tribune on 31 August, the Kyoto Buddhist Association hosted a lunch party for the Indian prime minister at which he said, “Kyoto is a modern city standing on a rich cultural foundation. It has successfully incorporated modern infrastructure with cultural heritage. We want to build similar heritage sites in India too and that's why I came here to learn and understand all about this city.” He also exchanged notes on heritage conservation with Kyoto’s mayor, Daisaku Kadokawa, and handed him a digital map of Varanasi. The Kyoto mayor commented, “Buddhist heritage are [sic] inspirited by India. I would like to dedicate myself for [the] promotion of interaction between India and Japan.”
In a sign of the growing relationship between India and Japan’s leaders, Mr. Modi went with his Japanese counterpart, Shinzo Abe, to Toji Temple, one of the holiest shrines in Japanese Buddhism. The Kyoto temple complex includes a wooden temple and a five-story pagoda, and is listed as a UNESCO heritage site. Mr. Abe guided Mr. Modi around the temple to view its Buddha statues. “Looking at statues of Buddha, we were reminded of the deep historical ties between Japan and India,” Mr. Abe said. He added that it was the first visit to the temple since his schooldays.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe offer prayers at Toji Temple in Kyoto. From httpindiatoday.intodaytml
The Japanese monk Hasi, who also accompanied Mr. Modi at Toji Temple, said: “We are happy that the prime minister visited us. It is a matter of pride for our temple. He has a big heart.”
Mr. Modi then went to Kinkaku Temple, built in 1397, where he offered prayers and interacted with visitors, who greeted him enthusiastically. After seeing the name of the temple’s chief monk on his identity card, Mr. Modi joked, “I am Modi and you are Mori.”
Prime Minister Modi visits Toji Temple with Shinzo Abe. From www.deccanchronicle.com
With around 2,000 temples, Kyoto has been a historically important city since the end of the Nara period (794 CE). It was the capital of Japan for over 1,000 years until the emperor moved to Tokyo in 1868. Similarly, Varanasi is a heritage city in northern India. Located in the middle Ganges valley, it is regarded as sacred by Buddhists, Hindus, and Jains.
Mr. Modi's proposal to the Japanese government was not well received by all. A Buddhist monk from Sarnath, Bhikkhu Chandima, wrote on Facebook: “The prime minister of India has gone to Buddhist country Japan for the help [sic] and development of Varanasi about 11 km far Sarnath from which the [sic] belief center of Buddhists in the world. The PM did not came [sic] and discuss for the development of Sarnath in the election period. This country demands the support from Buddhist countries but why is ignored [sic] so much the Buddhist places of India?”
Ven. Chandima’s comment highlights the long-term dissatisfaction many Buddhists in India feel over their government’s perceived lack of action to protect and promote Buddhist sites. While Mr. Modi might have made a strong statement with his appeal to Japan, whether he will follow up on his words with concrete action remains to be seen.