Patna, Nov 23 - A group of Buddhist monks in Bihar are on a new peace mission -- preaching Lord Buddha's message of non-violence in the Maoist affected villages of Gaya district.

Five Buddhist monks Sunday visited Saidpur, a village affected by Maoist violence near Bodh Gaya, where the Buddha attained enlightenment, and preached his message of peace and non-violence to villagers.

"The response of the villagers was positive when we preached Buddha's preaching to fight outworldly problems," said Ven P Siwalee Thero, one of the monks who visited the village.

Thero, in-charge of the Mahabodhi Society of India (Bodh Gaya branch), said that the Buddha's teachings were the best available mantra for a peaceful and violence-free society in and around Bodh Gaya.

"Buddhist monks will visit more villages to persuade people to follow Buddha's preachings because it will ensure a violence-free society," the monk told IANS over telephone Monday.

He said that Bodh Gaya symbolised peace, harmony and non-violence across the world as the Buddha had attained enlightenment there. But ironically, villages near Bodh Gaya have been hit by Maoist violence and social upheaval.

The monks' initiative was supported by Sujata Human Development, a voluntary organization based in Bodh Gaya to spread the Buddha's message in Maoist-hit areas.

Gaya and its neighbouring districts of Aurangabad, Jehanabad, Arwal are regarded as a stronghold of the Maoist guerrillas. (IANS)