Buddhist Monks during an inter-faith prayer meeting following Sunday`s serial blasts at Bodhgaya temple.
Photo: dnaindia.com
Responses have been coming in following the bombing on July 7 of the 1,500-year-old Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO world heritage site, and the Tergar Monastery which is the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa’s residence, in the sacred town of Bodh Gaya. Two monks were injured and temple properties were damaged, but the structure of the temple and the Bodhi tree remained unscathed.
The Karmapa said the incident was “senseless violence” and asked everyone to remain calm to prevent any further escalation of violence. The Tibetan religious leader said “This is the place where Buddhist pilgrims from India and the world over pay homage to Lord Buddha and his teachings” and offered prayers to the victims and their families, saying that the best response to the attacks is to uphold Lord Buddha’s teachings on love and ahimsa.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama called the attacks “very sad”, and said that it could be an act of a “few individuals….and shouldn’t be considered something serious”. Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay has also expressed his condolences in a public statement.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said “Our composite culture and traditions teach us respect for all religions and such attacks on religious places will never be tolerated”. The Indian government has termed the explosions “terror attacks” and has increased security at Buddhist shrines, Buddhist places of worship and Tibetan settlements.
National Security Guards inspects the site of a blast at the Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya
Photo: indianexpress.com
Five people, including a woman, were detained in Patna and Gaya in connection with the bombings. They are identified as Gunjan Patel, Hasan Malik, Anand Prakash, Priyanka and Dashrath Yadav. Chandan Kushwaha, a police official from Gaya district, confirmed the arrest of suspect Vinod Mishtri, who was detained on July 7.
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