IMPHAL, December 17: State Works Minister Kh Ratankumar Singh has today laid the foundation stone of a Buddhist Monastery at Kiyaangei Maning Leikai, Indo-Burma Road, (second bridge over Leishaangkhong Hiden).
The monastery is being built under the sponsorship of the All Manipur Buddhist Association.
The foundation stone laying ceremony was also attended by local MLA K Thamarjit Singh and Manipur State Minorities Forum, chairman Dr O Kumar Singh as guest of honour and president respectively.
Addressing the ceremony, local MLA Thamarjit said the monastery will play an important role in the Look East Policy of the centre.
He elaborated that the presence of a monastery in the state will only act as an added attraction for the people of the South East Asian countries who are mostly Buddhist and in the process attracting more development.
People of all religious beliefs reside in the Kyamgei area and the construction of the monastery will further strengthen the secularism of the area, he said.
The monastery will also help in bringing a peaceful environment in the area, he opined.
Works Minister Dr Kh Rata also expressed his belief that the monastery would help in bringing development to the state.
He said every individual should be encouraged to follow their own religion, secularism should be practiced.
Elaborating on the principles of Buddhism, MS Ningomba, a Buddhist monk said the religion encourage no untouchability and believes that every individual is equal.
The principles of the religion has today become a universal truth and practically followed, he said.