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2554th buddha birth anniversary: Aloe, myrrh in Lumbini
- Warring parties urged to follow Buddha suit
LUMBINI, MAY 27 -
The birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha was celebrated on Thursday with prayers for peace.
Buddha Jayanti festivities were organised in Lumbini, the birthplace of the apostle of peace and non-violence, to mark his 2554th birth anniversary with the slogan “Lets go to sacred birth place of Buddha.
Buddhist monks from over 15 countries and hundreds of followers of Buddhism and peace-loving people thronged the holy land of Lumbini and took part in peace prayers followed by a peace procession.
The rally marched around different places of Lumbini before it converged into a programme.
The ongoing political confrontation dulled Buddha Jayanti celebrations as President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav and Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal cancelled their visits to Lumbi at the eleventh hour.
Culture Minister and Chairman of Lumbini Development Trust Minendra Rijal inaugurated the programme held to mark Buddha’s birth anniversary in their absence.
Addressing the function, Rijal said the government is ready to develop Lumbini as a tourism destination besides religious. “The government has increased the budget to Lumbini to make the Lumbini Master Plan successful,” he said. “Once the plan sees light of the day it will open the door of progress in Lumbini.”
Vice-chairman of Lumbini Trust Acharya Karma Sangbo Sherpa said various programmes are being held to promote Lumbini in the world as one of the top tourism destinations ahead of Nepal Tourism Year 2011. If channelled adequate budge into the master plan, it can be completed within five years, he said.
Similarly, peace loving people, who came to Lumbini to mark the day, gave a piece of advise for political leaders: Resolve the ongoing deadlock. They said the teachings of Buddha are more relevant at a time when leaders bickering and struggling for power have failed to deliver the new constitution on time.
“May this day inspire our leaders to work in harmony,” said Bijay Gobinda Shrestha, a poet from Kapilvastu.
Many people told leaders to raise above party interests and not to trivialise the crucial issues and urged them to forge consensus and live up to the commitment they have made to the people.
A senior monk from Vietnam urged Nepali leaders to follow the footsteps of Buddha and shun the path of violence for peace.
On the occasion, the trust honoured 19 monks and some others Nepali and foreign nationals for their contribution to spread the glory of Lumbini in the world. Some of the feted monks stressed on the need of establishing sustainable peace in Nepal.
Meanwhile, the government has announced “Gautam Buddha International Peace Prize” worth US$ 50,000 on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti. The award will be provided to the person or organisation for spreading peace message and promoting Lumbini in the world.
Monks’ bid for peace
POST REPORT
KATHMANDU, MAY 27
The Buddhist faithful observed the 2554th birth anniversary of Lord Buddha organising various programmes in different monasteries on Thursday.
To mark the day, more than 300 Buddhist monks and scholars recited 108 volumes and 215 commentary texts (Tengyur) of Buddha’s canon (Kagyur) at a monastery in Swayambhunath on Thursday.
Mustang Baraha Gaun Lochhodun Sewa Samiti organised the weeklong recital programme at Mustang Sakya Monastery. More than 300 monks read Buddha’s canon from 3 to 10 of the fourth Tibetan lunar calendar.
Chhyokor Lama, one of the organisers, said, “It is widely believed that the reading of the texts brings in merits powerful enough to change the course of the fate of nation and the whole world.”
“We have strong belief that Buddhism will help the country attain peace and stability,” he added.
Posted on: 2010-05-28 08:35
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