New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said India made no distinction between religions and had no history of attacking other countries or schools of thought.
Speaking at an event here on the occasion of Buddha Purnima, the Prime Minister said the teachings of the Buddha were based on humanity, and the country was proud the philosophy had originated here.
"India has never had a history or tradition of attacking others' ideology or country. We have also never tried to create a distinction between religions," Modi said while addressing the gathering at the function organised by the Ministry of Culture.
While speaking on the teachings of the Buddha, Modi said all ideologies which originated in India were based on humanity.
In today's world, humanity and compassion had become even more relevant, Modi said.
The prime minister offered "Sangh Dana" (donation) to Buddhist monks from countries such as Japan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam who were present at the event.
He also presented the Vaishakh Sammaan Prashasti Patra to the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, and the All India Bhikshu Sangha, Bodh Gaya.
The PM on Sunday urged youngsters to join the Swachh Bharat Summer Internship 2008' launched by his government and announced incentives, including credit point by the UGC, for participants, saying it is an opportunity for those who want to make a change in the society.
In his monthly Mann ki Baat' broadcast, Modi also pitched for water conservation, saying it should be everyone's responsibility and asserted that his government had spent Rs 32,000 crore annually outside the MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) budget, and 150 lakh acre land have benefitted from it in the last three years. In his over 30-minute address, Modi touched on many topics, including Indian athletes', especially women's, achievement in the Commonwealth Games, people's response to his call for fitness and also paid tributes to Prophet Mohammad and Lord Buddha ahead of the month of Ramzan and Buddha Purnima' respectively.