UN marked the Buddhist festival of Vesak. (Representational Image, Thinkstock)
As the UN marked the Buddhist festival of Vesak, India said it has sought to use the ancient links forged by the common Buddhist heritage among different countries in Asia as part of its foreign policy outreach.
"The core of the teachings of Lord Buddha, especially ahimsa or non-violence, have become an integral part of India's political philosophy," India's Ambassador to the UN Asoke Mukerji said during the annual commemoration of Vesak on June 5.
He said Lord Buddha's name is revered in India, and it has been a matter of pride that Buddha chose to live and preach his teachings in India.
"India has also sought to use the ancient links forged by our common Buddhist heritage between different countries in Asia as part of our foreign policy outreach, seeing the world as one family, or Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," he said.
Lord Buddha's teachings went on to be adopted by the Emperor Ashoka, who devoted his energy to propagating them.
"The Edicts of Ashoka can be found across the length and breadth of South Asia," Mr Mukerji said.
Buddhist knowledge was actively propagated in India at the ancient Buddhist university of Nalanda.
Mr Mukerji told the world body that it is a matter of special pride that the ancient university, which fell into ruin centuries ago, is today being revived with the active participation of the Indian government and people, as well as India's partners from many countries of East Asia, including members of ASEAN, Australia, the People's Republic of China, Japan, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea.
Mr Mukerji also shared glimpses of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official visits to Japan, Sri Lanka, China and Mongolia during the past year that also emphasised "India's active linkages by our common Buddhist heritage."
In his message on the occasion of Vesak, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the spirit of Vesak can help to animate a global response to the challenges of our day.
"As the United Nations works for the adoption this year of a set of new sustainable development goals and a meaningful new agreement on climate change, we would do well to heed the Buddhist teaching that life and the environment are essentially one.
And the Lord Buddha's observation that all peoples are interconnected reminds us of the importance of uniting as one human family resolved to address our shared struggles based on common values," Mr Ban said.