Speaking on the 150th birth anniversary of Buddhist leader Kripasaran Mahasthavir, Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs in India, said last month that the influence of religion on human beings is much more powerful than the use of armed forces.

“Dharm Shastra is more powerful than our police force, security and army. The teachings of religion, the knowledge, is the most powerful. If it reaches everywhere then we won't have to use power to stop violence,” he said at Bengal Buddhist Association.

He elaborated that if every person understood the teachings of Lord Buddha, then there would no unrest in this world, as peace would prevail.

“Why we need weapons, why we need forces?” Rijiju asked the audience.

He went on to explain how in a world full of conflict, people need to understand the teachings propagated by Buddhism even more closely. Talking about the number of reports he receives from various intelligence agencies about conflicts and violence around the world, Rijiju said only force can be used to control violence but in the end, the result is neither happy nor positive.

“To control the violence we also require to use force and it is not a very happy situation. Now in the home ministry what we do ... we try to force peace if somebody is destroying it. We use our uniformed force, we use our police force, we use our armed forces. ... But if the religious teachings go deep into the mind of every individual in the society why would we need force?” he said. “That is why I feel Lord Buddha's teachings are more relevant in today's world than they were ever before.”

He concluded his speech by reminding his audience of what the Dalai Lama has said at different points in time in different parts of the world about religion being closely associated with science.

“The message of religion has science (which) applies to all, not just to monks,” the minister said.

Photo Credits: Dainik Jagran