First
World Buddhist Summit, Nov 30-Dec 2, 1998
With
the support from the Government of Nepal, Lumbini
Development Trust organized the World Buddhist Summit
in Lumbini, Nepal, from Nov. 30 through Dec.2 1998.
It was a historical event for the people of Nepal
and the Buddhists the world over. In order to successfully
convene the event a Main Organizing Committee was
formed under the chairmanship of the then Rt. Hon'ble
Prime Minister Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala. A Main Preparatory
Committee was also formed under Mr. Purna Bahadur
Khadaka, the then Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture
and Chairman, LDT.
The
Main Preparatory Committee decided the theme of the
Summit as Lumbini the Foundation of world Peace
Two
main theme papers by two prominent scholars –
Dr. Ananda W.P. Guruge from Sri Lanka (paper entitled
Buddhist Philosophy and World Peace) and Dr. Harka
Gurung from Nepal (paper entitled Developing Lumbini
as Pilgrimage Center of Peace) were presented for
deliberation in the Summit. Buddhist monks, nuns,
scholars, academicians, representatives from world
bodies, Buddhist organizations, and representatives
from world bodies, Buddhist organizations and individuals
interested in peace and development of Lumbini and
Buddhism took active part in the three day deliberation.
His (Late) Majesty King
Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev most
graciously inaugurated the three-day Summit amidst
hundreds of Nepali and foreign delegates and thousand
of devotees.
The
main achievements of the Summit can be summarized
as follows:
The Lumbini Declaration which expressed firm commitment
of all the participants to contribute in the development
of Lumbini and other sites related to the life of
Lord Buddha situated in Nepal like Kapilavastu, Devadaha
and Ramagama, Commitment for construction of an international
airport, establishment of Buddhist University and·
Adoption of a proposal to establish Lumbini as the
Fountain of World Peace and Holies Pilgrimage Shrine
for all the Buddhists and peace loving people of the
world, among others.
Realization
of the need for an autonomous status of LDT.
The
Summit also emphasized the need to involve the local
people and their culture in the development process
of the sacred complex so as to make them partners
of progress. The then Prime Minister Mr. Girija Prasad
Koirala instructed the National Planning Commission
to prepare blue print for the development of infrastructure
in the settlement near the holy complexes of Lumbini.
Consequently, rapid surveys were conducted to this
effect.]
The
Lumbini Declaration of Dec.1998 is the most important
historic document highlighting the concern and commitments
of the delegates from many countries for the development
of Lumbini in the shortest possible span of time.
It also emphasized on establishing the Lumbini International
Buddhist University in Lumbini. Thus the World Buddhist
Summit was the first International Buddhist Summit
organized by HMG/ Nepal. The LDT and HMG/ Nepal are
committed to fulfill the recommendations of the Lumbini
Declaration.
International
Buddhist Conference, 2001
In February 2001 LDT organized the international Buddhist
Conference in the sacred complex of Lumbini. The theme
of the Conference was: Lumbini in the New Millennium:
The Role of Youth and Community.
LDT
constituted a 213-member Main Organizing Committee
under the chairmanship of Hon'ble Minister of Culture,
Tourism and Civil Aviation Mr. Ram Krishna Tamrakar.
Similarly, 14 Subcommittees were also formed to successfully
convene the event held at the sacred site of Lumbini.
The Conference was inaugurated by Rt. Hon'ble rime
Minister Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala.
The
following two theme papers were written and presented
by two prominent personalities:
1.
Lumbini in the New Millennium: The Role of Community
by Dr. Mohan Man Sainju and Lumbini in the New Millennium:
Youth in Buddhism by Ven. Bhikkhu Sugandha Mahasthavira
Prominent personalities, among many others from different
countries, such as Mr. Sunao Miyabara Senior Vice-chairman
of World Fellowship of Buddhist (WFB, Hawaii, USA),
Dato Khoo Leong (Malaysia), Tilake Attanayaka (Chairman,
Lumbini Development Committee, Sri Lanka), Dago Sangye
Wangchuk (Bhutan), John D. Hughes (Australia), attended
the two-day Conference.
The
Conference issued a 14-point Declaration.
The
Second World Buddhist Summit, 2004
HMG
had decided to hold the Second World Buddhist Summit
in the year 2000. But due to some unavoidable situation
in the country, the Summit had to be postponed. Consequently,
HMG and LDT decided to hold the postponed Summit this
year (Nov. 30-Dec.2, 2004)
Main
objectives of the Summit
