Buddhist University to become medium of service to humanity: Chief minister

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BHOPAL, India -- Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that Sanchi Buddhist and Indic Studies University will pave way for world peace by becoming a medium of serving humanity. Chouhan was discussing issues of university's studies, teaching and research with members of the university's advisory committee here on Wednesday.

Chouhan, committee members Gese Semten, Dr Siddheshwar Rameshwar Bhatt, Prof Shrikant Kondapalli, Prof Jiyo Liang, Dr Lokesh Chandra, Prof Mithila Prasad Tripathi, Prof Krishna Bihari Pandey and Nirmala Sharma and principal secretary culture Basant Pratap Singh were present at the meeting.

Chouhan said that dimension of Sanchi Buddhist and Indic Studies University should be such that the institution is able to give new vision and direction for welfare of human beings. He said that scholars from all over the world should be consulted for this. The conclusions drawn from their brainstorming will be implemented by the state government. There will be no paucity of funds for this work.

He said that university's academic session should be started with studies and teaching of Buddhist and Indian philosophies. He said that human values are declining in the indiscriminate race for development. Only Indian philosophy can give a new direction towards prevention of human values' decline.

It was informed during discussions that outlines have been drawn to start teaching work of the university from next academic session. A meeting to this effect will be held in February where decisions about syllabus and teaching activities will be taken.

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The Castor Bay Presbyterian Church and hall will become a place of Buddhist worship and meditation

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Castor Bay, New Zealand -- A Buddhist organisation has bought the Castor Bay Presbyterian Church.

<< SOLD: the Castor Bay Presbyterian Church and hall will become a place of Buddhist worship and meditation.A Buddhist organisation has bought the Castor Bay Presbyterian Church.

The church and adjoining hall have been bought by the Auckland branch of a well-established Buddhist religious education society with other existing premises throughout the city.

Mairangi and Castor Bays Presbyterian Church property and finance convenor George Wyman said the church had been sold as the size of its congregations no longer warranted its own premises.

Congregation members will now integrate into the Mairangi Bay Presbyterian Church some two kilometres away or to the Anglican Church in neighbouring Milford.

The church will hold its final religious worship sessions over Easter in April next year. The sale of the Castor Bay Presbyterian Church was brokered by Bayleys Takapuna.

The two buildings have a combined floor space of 250 square metres with off-street car parking for eight vehicles, and sit on 1133 square metres of land with vast views over Milford Beach and the Waitemata Harbour.

The Castor Bay land and buildings have a capital valuation of $1.125milllion.

Bayleys Takapuna sales person Peter Christoffersen said that seven tenders were received for the Castor Bay premises after an extensive marketing campaign which embraced both the commercial and residential development potential for the land and buildings.

"Some of those tenders were for the commercial development of the site, while most were for development of a residential nature in line with its zoning of Residential 4 under the Auckland Council plan," Mr Christoffersen said.

"When the final round of tenders was assessed, the best deal put forward at the end of the process was that of the Buddhists. This sits well with the church's philosophy of encouraging spiritual worship, peace, and harmony and ensures the legacy created over almost 100 years in Castor Bay is maintained."

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