Prime Minister’s Message on Buddha Jayanti: True Revolution Begins with Knowledge of Truth

Prime Minister Balendra Shah marked Buddha Jayanti by reflecting on the Four Noble Truths of suffering and expressed his wish for world peace. He stated, “There is suffering, there is a cause of suffering, there is cessation of suffering, and there is a path to cessation of suffering.” Prime Minister Shah emphasized that Buddha’s birth has ensured that Nepal remains a land committed to non-violence and peace, and that true revolution begins with knowledge. (19 Baisakh, Kathmandu)

On this auspicious occasion celebrating the great peace promoter Gautama Buddha, Prime Minister Shah extended wise greetings to all and highlighted on his social media platform Facebook that Buddha’s path of alleviating suffering remains relevant. Recalling the Four Noble Truths, he said, “Our journey must be one of seeking the light of knowledge and following the path toward resolving problems.”

Explaining darkness as the absence of light, Prime Minister Shah remarked that with each step taken toward light, darkness automatically disappears, underscoring the immense importance of knowledge. He further asserted that Buddha’s birth has placed Nepal forever on the decisive side of non-violence and peace. “True revolution does not start with ‘power’ but with ‘knowledge,’ and that ‘knowledge’ is wisdom,” were his words.

Quoting Buddha’s renowned teaching “Appa Dipo Bhava” (Be your own light), Prime Minister Shah conveyed his best wishes to everyone. His message read: “There is suffering, there is a cause of suffering, there is a cessation of suffering, and there is a path leading to its cessation. The path shown by Buddha is the path to end suffering. Darkness is defined as the absence of light; when even a ray of light begins to step in, darkness vanishes automatically. Our journey must be one of seeking the light of knowledge and the pathway to problem-solving. On this occasion of the birth anniversary of the eternal great peace promoter Buddha, I wish for global peace. Blessed is our Nepal, the land where Buddha was born, forever standing for non-violence and peace. True revolution begins not with ‘power’ but with ‘knowledge,’ and that knowledge is wisdom. Wishing everyone enlightened blessings on Buddha Jayanti. Appa Dipo Bhava.”