Bodh Gaya (Bihar) [India], Japanese Ambassador to India Keichi Ono highlighted the long-standing cultural and spiritual ties between India and Japan on Saturday morning when he and a high-level team visited the sacred Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, Bihar.

Key dignitaries included Ryuta Saito, Second Secretary at the Embassy of Japan, Masahiro Kawakami, an embassy official, and Naoya Haraikawa, Commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency, were among those attending the visit, which started at 8:45 a.m.

Bhikkhu Buddha Ratna (Manoj Bhante) and other Mahabodhi Temple resident monks welcomed the group. A warm greeting was given by Mahashweta Maharathi, Secretary of the Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC), who was accompanied by Reverend Okonogi, Arvind Singh, and Kiran Lama. An ceremonial greeting kicked off the visit, and then a guided spiritual and historical tour of the temple grounds followed.

The party went to the main shrine, where they prayed under the revered Bodhi tree, which is said to be the location where Lord Buddha became enlightened. They were also shown the Ajapala Nigrodha Tree, the Rajayatna Tree, Chankraman (Jewel Walk), Ratna Griha, and Mucalinda Sarovar, among other important locations inside the temple complex. The group paid their respects and interacted with the spiritual ambiance at each of these sites.

Members of the BTMC, Bhikkhu Buddha Ratna, and Maharathi sent keepsakes to Ambassador Ono and Commissioner Haraikawa as a token of goodwill. The two countries’ mutual admiration and common Buddhist tradition were expressed in the interaction.

The trip to Mahabodhi Temple and Buddhagaya was described by Ambassador Ono in the Visitor’s Book as a “truly memorable experience,” describing it as one of the holiest sites for Buddhists, Buddhism, and Japan.

He said he hoped the location would remain a bridge of friendship and cultural ties between Japan and India.

Other delegation members also conveyed their sincere gratitude for the spiritually enlightening experience.