Bhumisparsha is dedicated to remembering the Buddha and his teachings.

Though kind, good thoughts sometimes seem as short-lived as a flash of lightning in the dark, all of us have them. Every time we greet someone warmly, shake their hand, offer them a meal and welcome them to the table, or even simply smile at someone, we’re manifesting our innate caring, generous, loving nature.

Yes, those simple acts may sometimes be narrow, short-sighted, and exclusive – confined just to family, friends, fellow countrymen, or people of the same colour. But there is no doubt the goodness is there in us. And we have all the potential to expand it further – much further – and to be more open, far-sighted and inclusive, if not for anyone else’s sake then at least for our own good.

Human beings have discovered antibiotics and put a man on the moon. But despite those marvels, we’ve also learned that when push comes to shove and when danger comes at us from all directions, the basic solution comes down to something as simple as washing our hands.

But there is a solution even simpler, more basic, and much more powerful than that – which is what Gautama Shakyamuni taught us 2,600 years ago, and which has been passed on in unbroken lineage ever since. That is simply to turn inward, to be mindful, and to remember that we naturally have kindness, compassion, and a fully awakened state of mind.

That’s the great gift and inheritance of Buddha Shakyamuni. Indeed, we have great leaders going all the way back to Emperor Ashoka who have taken the wakefulness, love and compassion they learned from the Buddha and put it into action – politically, socially, economically and even technologically. This has happened. We can do it.

So it’s to celebrate, nurture and hype this gift and its tremendous potential for the world at this crucial time, that a group of us are launching this endeavour to recite the name of Shakyamuni Buddha – the one who fully embodies wisdom, love, compassion, and complete openness. The world needs this now.

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So, let us recite the Buddha’s name. Let us sing his name. Let us dance his name. And let us praise, honour and hail his name.