Lumbini is the source of Buddhist philosophy: President Bhandari

Lumbini / May 21: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has said Lumbini is not only the birth place of Gautam Buddha but also the source of Buddhist philosophy.

Addressing a special function organized to mark the 2560th Buddha Jayanti here today, President Bhandari said the teachings of the apostle of world peace Siddhartha Gautam was still relevant in today’s world and urged all to follow Buddha’s ideals by mind, words and deed. She called for government attention and care in preserving and promoting the art and history of Buddha’s land. “The master plan for Lumbini development must be implemented as soon as possible to preserve all historical structures and facts related to Buddha”.

She also pointed out the need of developing Lumbini as an international tourism destination and make the birthplace of Lord Buddha a must visit place for Buddhists around the world.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was of the view that Lumbini stands as the place of origin of peace and goodwill for being the birthplace of Gatuam Buddha and the source of Buddhism, and hence it should be developed as the holiest shrine for the Buddhist across the world.

The development of Lumbini is the special focus of the government, he said, applauding the endorsement of a proposal to set up a Global Buddhist Forum by the two-day International Conference on Buddhism held in the capital on May 19-20. He pledged to build a structure that can accommodate at least 5,000 people at once to use it during the Buddha Jayanti celebrations or other occasions.

Also addressing the ceremony, former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba insisted on the protection and promotion of Lumbini, where the Buddha was born. Buddhism needs to be further promoted and flourished, he said, urging the government to lay its priority to complete the implementation of the master plan for the development of Lumbini.

Former Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, said contribution of Buddhist philosophy will remain crucial for broadening the tripartite relation existing between Nepal, India and China. He added that the scale of importance and worth of Buddhist philosophy continues to increase as of this day.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Ananda Prasad Pokharel, said Nepal – the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha and where Buddhist philosophy originated – is the source for world peace. He expressed joy that Buddhist followers from more than 40 countries around the world have pledged commitment to the fact that Lumbini is the source of world peace.

On the occasion, he expressed commitment to simultaneously develop Tilaurakot of Kapilvastu, Devdaha of Rupandehi and Ramgram area of Nawalparasi that are closely associated with Buddha.

Thailand’s Tourism Minister, Wattanavrangkul Kobkarn, said his government has always been eager to develop Lumbini as the world peace centre.

Buddhist Association of China Vice Chairperson, Yin Shun, Sri Lankan Ambassador to Nepal, W M Seneviratne, Myanmar’s Ambassador to Nepal, U Lwin Oo, spoke of the importance of Buddhist philosophy as increasing by the day in the world.

The messages sent by US President Barrack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon were read out at the function.

Minister Pokharel today also made public the 10-point Kathmandu Lumbini Declaration Paper drafted by the two-day International Buddhist conference held in Kathmandu. The declaration paper calls for formation of Global Buddhist Forum while touching on other issues. RSS