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India's Consul General inaugurates Vesak celebrations in Shanghai
The event at Jade Buddha Temple drew more than 1,000 devotees and features a curtain raiser for International Day of Yoga 2026.
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Staff Reporter - Mon, 01, Jun 2026
- 17:17 EDT
- 25
Vesak celebrations in Shanghai / X/ @IndiaInShanghai
India's Consul General in Shanghai, Pratik Mathur, inaugurated day-long Vesak celebrations at the historic Jade Buddha Temple on May 31.
The celebrations at one of eastern China's most prominent Buddhist centers drew more than 1,000 devotees, Buddhist scholars and members of the clergy to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana of Lord Buddha.
Also Read: India holds curtain raiser events in Shanghai ahead of International Yoga Day
Offering prayers at the temple, Mathur highlighted the enduring civilizational, cultural and spiritual ties between India and China forged through the spread of Buddhism. He said the faith has served as a bridge between the peoples of the two ancient civilizations and continues to foster mutual understanding and people-to-people exchanges.
Mathur also referred to the world-renowned Jade Buddha statues housed at the temple, noting that they were brought from Myanmar in the late nineteenth century. He said the statues symbolize the historical and cultural linkages connecting India, Southeast Asia and the wider Asia-Pacific region through a shared Buddhist heritage.
#CelebratingVesak
— India In Shanghai (@IndiaInShanghai) June 1, 2026
The great circle of Buddhism #ॐमणिपद्मेहूँ
Creating enduring #cultural, #philosophical, and #religious links between the two civilizations
Consul General @PratikMathur1 was happy to inaugurate the daylong #Vesak celebrations at… pic.twitter.com/Mh0boYSxNG
Extending Vesak greetings to devotees, the Consul General invited the abbot, members of the clergy and worshippers to visit Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India, including Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Rajgir and Kushinagar, which are associated with the life and teachings of Lord Buddha.
He also highlighted direct air connectivity between India and Shanghai, which has made travel between the two destinations more convenient.
Welcoming the Indian diplomat, the temple's senior abbot spoke about the continuing relevance of Buddhism, particularly among younger generations, and highlighted the institution's longstanding ties with India.
The abbot also noted the temple's Sanskrit and Pali Studies Centre, which promotes the study of original Buddhist scriptures and contributes to preserving the region's shared intellectual and spiritual heritage.
During his visit, Mathur participated in a curtain-raiser event for International Day of Yoga 2026 organized by Venerable Tianwu. The program focused on holistic healing and well-being and featured a lecture on the Medicine Master Sutra as part of the temple's annual Buddhist Preaching Competition.
The event highlighted the complementary traditions of yoga, meditation and Buddhist philosophy in promoting physical, mental and spiritual wellness.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
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