Kathmandu, May 19
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said on Thursday that Buddha, Buddhism and Lumbini are inseparable. He said Lumbini is the fountain of Buddhism.
Inaugurating the International Buddhist Conference in Kathmandu, Prime Minister Oli reasoned that Gautam Buddha renounced worldly pleasures because he was enlightened.
In this light, separating Buddha from Buddhism would be fallacious, countering views from certain quarters that Buddha is only the birthplace of Gautam Buddha and not the place where he attained enlightenment.
Oli pointed that virtues that Buddha espoused are a must for people, communities, nations and the world even today. He said the middle path that the Buddha showed is the way to go for the entire humanity.
The present world is caught in conflict, PM Oli noted, adding that Buddhism can be that guiding light that can rid the world of conflict.
Lumbini is the land of the Buddha and the fountain of peace, he said, stressing the need to turn this place of archaeological, historical and cultural significance into an international centre for the study of Buddhism.
Regarding the development of Lumbini, Oli stressed the need to stick to the comprehensive plan on Lumbini. He was referring to the Master Plan that Kenzo Tange had developed decades ago.
He thanked scholars, Nepal’s neighbours as well as international communities, including UNDP and UNESCO, for helping with the development of Lumbini. PM Oli expressed hope that Nepal will continue to get international support as it continues to strive for further development of Lumbini.
Oli also found time to make mention of last year’s quakes that left behind a trail of deaths and devastation. The resolve of Nepalis people and international cooperation helped us overcome the tragedy, Oli said.
After eight years of effort, Nepal’s popularly-elected Constituent Assembly promulgated a constitution, he said and noted that some parties were opposing the constitution. He said his government is ready to hold talks with them. Oli asked political parties and Nepali peoples to “put the nation first”.
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