Leh: A unique and historic event took place in Abu Dhabi with the inauguration of a spectacular and faith-inspiring Hindu temple by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi.
Venerable Bhikkhu Sanghasena was invited to attend the inauguration ceremony, as one of a number of eminent keynote speakers gathered for this most sacred occasion on 15th February 2024.
The temple, not only breathtaking in its heavenly design, conveys an even more significant message, as it is dedicated to ‘the harmony of the world’.
While addressing the huge gathering, Venerable Bhikkhu Sanghasena congratulated all the saints and devotees of the BAPS community, recognising the true significance and enormity of their achievement.
He also extended his heartfelt appreciation to His Majesty the King of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to the Government officials, and to the people of the UAE for their incredible generosity in donating such a large area of land on which to build the first Hindu temple in the Arab nations.
The King and the people of the UAE have demonstrated a very great commitment to delivering and upholding interfaith harmony within the region, as well as globally. He further urged everyone present to carry within them and to share widely the wonderfully enriching experience of great joy, divine love and interfaith harmony that is inspired by the presence of this sublime new Hindu temple in the Middle East.
Venerable Bhikkhu Sanghasena, on behalf of the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC), Leh, Ladakh, and the Mahakaruna Foundation, Delhi, presented the ‘Global Harmony Ambassador Awar’ to His Holiness Swami Mahant, Head of BAPS, and Reverend Swami Brahamaviharidas, Religious Leader of BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi, as a mark of his great respect and deep admiration for the work and achievements of their spiritual community.
Reflecting on his visit to Abu Dhabi and the inauguration ceremony for the new temple, Venerable Bhikkhu Sanghasena was left with many enduring thoughts and personal memories…
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are amazing places! There is so much we can all learn from the UAE. During a nearly ninety-minute drive from the Dubai airport to our hotel, we experienced not a single traffic jam, not a single red light, and not a single vehicle horn sounding! The quality of road construction, as well as the general cleanliness of the streets and public spaces, was quite amazing.
The people of Dubai and Abu Dhabi have learnt how to adopt the latest technology without losing or compromising their cultural and traditional values. We hardly saw any police there! I heard from our car driver that this country is ‘the safest place for women’! There is hardly any crime!
The people of the UAE have transformed the inhospitable desert into an earthly paradise. Today, Dubai ranks high on the list of destinations tourists want and choose to visit…more than 17 million in 2023!
I found the Muslim people there to be very hospitable, broad-minded, and genuinely interested to meet and socialise with non-Muslims, which is probably one of the reasons why more than 35 lakh Indians choose to live and work in the UAE!
When I realised that the Muslim King of this Muslim country had donated 27 acres of land to build the first and largest Hindu temple in his country, it moved and touched my heart so very deeply!
All the saints and devotees of the BAPS community, having worked so hard, day and night, to build the temple in Abu Dhabi, finally dedicated it to ‘the harmony of the world’…such a noble gesture, which speaks openly of their strong sense of shared humanity, and which touched my heart deeply and profoundly. I salute this great King for the authenticity and courage of his wish to promote interreligious understanding and harmony, both within the region and across the world.
I also salute our great Karma Yogi, Shri Narendra Modi, the Honourable Prime Minister of India, our great country, for his pre-eminent skill in diplomacy, facilitating the creation of a multitude of ways and means by which interfaith harmony may be fostered by all.
