His Majesty opens function of Lalitpur Bauddha Vihar

Lalitpur, Nov. 20 (RSS): His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev inaugurated the silver jubilee celebration programme of Bauddha Vihar Sangh, Lalitpur, amidst a function here today.

At the function, His Majesty the King gave away a letter of appreciation to chairman of the Sangh Buddhiraj Bajracharya and commendation letters to its ex-chairman Harsha Ratna Shakya and chief instructor of the Sangh's painting and sculpture training managing committee Dil Bahadur Lama for their special contributions to the Sangh.

Her Majesty the Queen was also present at the function.

On the occasion, Their Majesties the King and Queen paid homage to the 19-foot tall newly built Vaishajya Buddha and Shakyamuni Buddha and inspected a Buddhist fine arts exhibition.

Buddha Samaj Sudhar Samiti was formed twenty-five years ago to protect and promote Baudhha Bihars in Lalitpur town by forming an Association of Mool Bahil Bihars and Mahabihars of the town as well as to spread Buddhism and to educate people about the significance of the Buddhist culture. The Samiti was renamed 'Bauddha Bihar Sangh' ten yeas ago.

The Sangh has been fostering friendship among Buddhists by making available Akshayaswar Mahabihar to the Buddhist delegates from Japan, China, Taiwan, Germany and India. Besides, it also runs international Buddhist guest house and is rendering free medical services to the patients suffering from eye, ear, throat and chest diseases.

On the occasion, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Ramkrishna Tamrakar described Nepalese art, culture and civilisation as unique in the whole world and said, Nepal is viewed with honour and respect in the world for the religious tolerance and communal harmony subsisting in the country since the earliest times.

If historical monuments and natural assets of Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha, could be preserved it would pave the way for religious and cultural as well as economic progress, Minister Tamrakar added.

Chairman of the Sangh Buddhiraj Bajracharya said "Nepal as the birth place of Lord Buddha, the votary of peace and non-violence, has a distinguished place in the strife-torn world of today."

General secretary of the Sangh, Surya Man Bajracharya, presented a report of the Sangh.

The Chief Justice, Rajparishad Standing Committee chairman, the Chief of the Army Staff, ministers, head of the constitutional bodies and heads of diplomatic missions were also present on the occasion.

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