Kathmandu – The Indian Embassy, Kathmandu has completed a program related to Buddhism.
On the occasion of ‘Ashadha Purnima’, the Embassy jointly completed a program at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Center at the embassy in collaboration with the International Buddhist Federation.
After attaining enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, the first sermon given by Lord Buddha to his first five ascetic disciples at Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh is specially remembered on the day of Ashad Purnima. It is known as the first funk of Dharma Chakra. In that sermon, Lord Buddha spoke about the ‘Four Arya Truths’ and the ‘Arya Ashtangik Marga’. Mahayana Sangha and Theravada Sangha prayed to Lord Buddha in the program. In addition, four Buddhist sutras were prayed.
Khenpo Chhimed, secretary of the International Buddhist Federation welcomed the guests present at the event and highlighted the importance of the event. In the event, Minister of State for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Sushila Sirpali Thakuri said that Buddhism has been one of the bonds connecting India and Nepal for centuries.
“The construction of Buddhist and other religious circuits will strengthen the cultural relations between India and Nepal in modern times,” she said.
Speaking at the same event, Prasanna Srivastava, deputy head of mission of the embassy, discussed the importance of the teachings given by Lord Buddha and said that the holy places of Buddhism in India and Nepal reflect the common cultural heritage between the two countries.
A video prepared on the design and features of the India International Buddhist Culture and Heritage Center to be built in Lumbini Gumbakshetra was also presented in the program.
During the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Lumbini on the occasion of Buddha Purnima in May 2022, Prime Minister Modi and former Prime Minister of Nepal Sher Bahadur Deuba jointly laid the foundation stone of the center. On the occasion, an exhibition of various religiously important Buddhist sites of India and Nepal was also held.
Representatives of various Buddhist sects and monasteries of Nepal, officials of Lumbini Development Fund as well as Secretary of International Buddhist Confederation Khenpo Chhimed Confederation and other representatives were present in the program.
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