National 3 (Spotlight Weekly)

A Message Of Peace

Second World Buddhist Conference gives much needed publicity to Nepal

By A CORRESPONDENT

King Gyanendra lit the traditional lamp formally opening the Second World Buddhist Conference at Lumbini, the birthplace of lord Buddha, 300 miles south west of capital bordering India. First World Buddhist Conference was also held here five years ago.

World Buddhist Summit : Gala for peace

In the last five years, many things have changed in and around Lumbini area. In the last three months, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil aviation has made tremendous efforts to complete the remaining construction works.

But the pace of development of Lumbini has been too slow. Despite construction of monasteries and stupas by different countries, there are many more things to be done before it can really be called a truly world class pilgrimage destination for the Buddhists all over the world.

Many countries have built their stupas in Lumbini. There are stupas built by India, China, Japan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand and other countries. Some stupas are still under construction. The stupas were built at the land allocated by the Lumbini Development Trust.

From road to garden and canals, the government has undertaken all constructions works inside Lumbini. Till a decade ago, the area was like a small garden but now it is transforming into a center for pilgrimage.

Just a day before the inauguration of the conference, prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba also inaugurated the Museum constructed under the cooperation of Indian government. The Museum has the documents related to the Lord Buddha.

Following the restoration of multi-party democracy and new policies followed by the government, many Buddhist religious organizations have shown interest to complete the Lumbini Master Plan. After years of delay, the Mayadevi Temple was completed only a few years ago.

At a time when the country is passing through a critical phase of insurgency, the second World Buddhist Conference has sent a message to the world community that Nepal is still peaceful.

Organized by Nepal, the second conference is the first of its kind held in Nepal following the intensification of the Maoist insurgency in 2001.

For the second World Buddhist Conference, seven countries have sent ministerial level delegations and more than 535 participants arrived in Lumbini to take part in the three day conference.

Although Maoists called off their two-day Bandh on the eve of the international Buddhist Conference, it did generate certain uncertainty over the success of the conference.

In his address to the conference, King Gyanendra stressed the need to follow the peaceful message delivered by Gautam Buddha. King Gyanendra also said that the message given by Buddha is very important in today’s world.

“I am happy to say that we are able to organize such a big event outside the capital at this crucial juncture,” said Deep Kumar Upadhyaya, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. "This conference will send a positive message to the world community.”

The satisfaction expressed by minister Upadhaya is understandable as it was mired in uncertainty till the last minute thanks to the Maoist threat. Minister Upadhyaya, who represents the constituency next to Lumbini, has taken personal initiative spending more than a week inspecting the construction work.

Scholars and Buddhist religious leaders presented various papers at the conference highlighting world peace and prosperity.