New Delhi (The Hawk): Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will participate in the "Shilanyas” ceremony for the construction of a unique&nbsp;centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage within the Lumbini Monastic Zoneduring his&nbsp;official visit to Lumbini on 16 May 2022 on the occasion of VaishakhaBuddha Purnima.At Lumbini, Prime Minister will visit the sacred Mayadevi temple to offer prayers. Prime Minister will also deliver an address at a Buddha Jayanti event organized by the Lumbini Development Trust under the aegis of the Government of Nepal.The construction of the&nbsp;unique&nbsp;‘India International Centre for Buddhist Culture &amp; Heritage’ with&nbsp;a universal appeal will be undertaken by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), India under the auspices of the Lumbini Development Trust with the financial support of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.International Buddhist Confederation, is a grantee body under the Ministry of Culture . The Buddhist Centre will be the first ‘Net Zero Emission’ building in Nepal .Also, on the occasion,the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC)is hosting a colourful programme for the Vaishakha Buddha Purnima Divas celebrations in New Delhi.The highlight will be the screening of a film on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foundation- stone laying ceremony, earlier in the day for the Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage at Lumbini, Nepal.The event will start at 2:00 pm with Chanting from various Buddhist sites played on the screen.The Chief Guest, for the event will be Shri KirenRijiju, Minister of&nbsp;Law and Justice, Government of India, while the&nbsp;Guest of Honourwill be Shri&nbsp;G. Kishan Reddy,&nbsp;Minister for Culture, Tourism and DoNER,&nbsp;Government of India with&nbsp;Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State for Culture as special guest.The significance of the timing of Prime Minister’s visit to Nepal is to coincide the inauguration of&nbsp;LumbiniBuddhist Centre with the Holy Vaishakha Buddha Purnima Divas. The day is recognized as the thrice blessed day that marks the Birth, Enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana of Lord Buddha. While Buddha was born in Lumbiniin Nepal, he attained enlightenment in Bodhgaya in Bihar, preached his first sermon at Sarnath and attained Nirvana in Kushinagar, in Uttar Pradesh.Lumbini is the holy place where according to Buddhist tradition, Queen Mahamayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama at around 623 B.C. Lord Buddha, was born in the famous gardens of Lumbini, which soon became a place of pilgrimage.Among the pilgrims was the Indian emperor Ashoka, who erected one of his commemorative pillars there. The site is now being developed as a Buddhist pilgrimage centre, where the archaeological remains associated with the birth of the Lord Buddha form a central feature.Some of the other Viharas and Monasteries in the area are the Myanmar’s Golden Temple, Tara Foundation Temple, The Sri Lanka Monastery, the Korean Temple (Dae Sung Shakya), the Cambodian Monastery and the Vietnamese Phat QuocTu Temple.Lumbini is one of the holiest and most important places in Nepal as a result of which it was included in the list of World Heritage areas by UNESCO.The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), India- with its headquarters in New Delhi, was formed in 2013 as an international Buddhist umbrella body to serve as a common platform for Buddhists worldwide. It has the honour of being instituted under the patronage of the Supreme Buddhist religious hierarchy. The aim is to create a platform for various Buddhist organisations and traditions worldwide to preserve, propagate and promote shared Buddhist values and principles. The objective is also to find shared solutions to global problems.The IBC has been actively involved in engaging Buddhist organisations in Nepal and has a strong relationship with several senior Buddhist monks. The Prime Minister’s visit and the building of an Indian Centre within the LumbiniMonastic complex will further strengthen the bonds through a shared Buddhist heritage and legacy.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will participate in the "Shilanyas” ceremony for the construction of a unique centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage within the Lumbini Monastic Zoneduring his official visit to Lumbini on 16 May 2022 on the occasion of VaishakhaBuddha Purnima.

PM to participate in the 'Shilanyas' ceremony for the construction of a unique centre for Buddhist Culture & Heritage in Lumbini May 16

New Delhi (The Hawk): Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, along with Prime Minister of Nepal Rt. Hon’ble Sher Bahadur Deuba, performed the shilanyaas ceremony for construction of the India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage in the Lumbini Monastic Zone, Lumbini, Nepal.2. The Centre will be constructed by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), New Delhi, on a plot allocated to IBC by the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT), under an agreement between IBC and LDT signed in March 2022.3. After the shilanyaas ceremony, which was performed by monks belonging to three major Buddhist traditions, Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana, the two Prime Ministers also unveiled a model of the Centre.4. Once completed, the Centre will be a world-class facility welcoming pilgrims and tourists from all over the world to enjoy the essence of spiritual aspects of Buddhism. It will be a modern building, NetZero compliant in terms of energy, water and waste handling, and will house prayer halls, meditation centers, library, exhibition hall, cafeteria, offices and other amenities.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, along with Prime Minister of Nepal Rt. Hon’ble Sher Bahadur Deuba, performed the shilanyaas ceremony for construction of the India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage in the Lumbini Monastic Zone, Lumbini, Nepal.

Shilanyaas of India Int'l Centre for Buddhist Culture & Heritage in Lumbini, Nepal

 Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi paid an official visit to Lumbini, Nepal on May 16, 2022, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Vaishakha Buddha Purnima, at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Nepal Shri Sher Bahadur Deuba. As Prime Minister, this was Shri Narendra Modi’s fifth visit to Nepal and first to Lumbini.

PM Modi Leads The Vaishakha Buddha Purnima Celebrations

Thimphu (Bhutan): Pilgrimage to India for education is an essential aspect of the Buddhist tradition. Buddhist monks from all over the world come to India to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the religion in the place where it first originated, The Bhutan Live reported.
According to The Bhutan Live, the pilgrimage to Buddhist sites in India is a transformative experience that allows monks to connect with the roots of their religion and make a positive impact on local communities.
For Buddhist monks, the journey to India is often seen as a sacred and transformative experience, the report said, adding that many monks travel long distances, leaving behind their families and communities, in search of deeper spiritual understanding.
India, home to some of the world's most significant Buddhist sites, is regarded as the birthplace of Buddhism. Many Buddhist monks from various countries travel to India to study the religion in the place where it first originated. This pilgrimage is known as the 'Buddhist circuit' and includes sites such as Sarnath, Bodh Gaya, and Kushinagar.
One of the most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists is Bodh Gaya as it is believed to be the place where the Buddha attained enlightenment under a bodhi tree. Another important site is Sarnath. It is believed to be the place where Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. The site contains numerous stupas, monasteries, and temples, which attract thousands of Buddhist pilgrims each year.
Another Buddhist site, Kushinagar, attracts many Buddhist monks. This is the place where Buddha passed away and attained 'Parinirvana.'
Buddhist monks, who travel to India for education often stay in monasteries or ashrams, where they can study with experienced teachers and learn more about Buddhist philosophy, meditation, and ritual practices, according to The Bhutan Live.
Many Buddhist monks who travel to India, in addition to studying the religion, also participate in social service projects, such as providing aid to impoverished communities and supporting education initiatives.
Buddhist organisations such as the Dalai Lama Trust and the International Buddhist Confederation provide opportunities for monks to participate in these projects and make a positive impact on local communities.
Recently, a delegation of high-ranking Sri Lankan Buddhist monks, who were on a pilgrimage to Bodh Gaya to attend discourses of the holy city, recalled the historical Buddhist connections between the two maritime neighbours.
Their five-day spiritual visit included discourses and Dharma talks.
Venerable Muruddeniya Dhammarathana, Thero of the Asgiri Chapter said, "We know that emperor Ashoka's son Arahat Mahinda introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka. From that day up to now, Buddhism is the main religion in Sri Lanka."
"Not only Buddhism we got a lot of things through him, especially our religion and also our education and other techniques. We got a lot from Buddhism so we greatly appreciate the situation, and we always respect India as a Buddhist motherland and also as our elder brother because India has always helped us. Even at present, we have economic troubles going on," he added. —ANI

 Pilgrimage to India for education is an essential aspect of the Buddhist tradition. Buddhist monks from all over the world come to India to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the religion in the place where it first originated, The Bhutan Live reported.

Pilgrimage To India For Education An Essential Aspect Of Buddhist Tradition: Report

Colombo: Sri Lanka and Uttar Pradesh are planning to strengthen ties by promoting the Ramayana trail in the island nation and the Buddhist trail in the Indian state through a formal framework.
In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry in Colombo, the decision was taken following a meeting between Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday in Lucknow.
"The discussions centred on the ancient and strong cultural and religious affinities between Uttar Pradesh and Sri Lanka and the ways to further strengthening them through tourism as well as religious and cultural exchanges," the statement said.
Wednesday's talks were a follow up of an initial meeting between the envoy and the Chief Minister in October 2021.
Symbolising the close ties between Buddhism and Hinduism and Uttar Pradesh and Sri Lanka, High Commissioner Moragoda proposed to plant a Bo sapling from island's southern city of Rumassala in Ayodhya.
According to popular beliefs, Rumassala is part of the mythical Sanjeevani mountain which was carried by Lord Hanuman when he was
Assigned to bring a herb of the same name to cure Lord Rama's brother Lakshman who was severely injured in a battle with Ravana's son.
During the meeting, two large photographs of Sri Lankan origin were presented to the Chief Ministe to be installed at the Varanasi International Airport, marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Indo-Lanka diplomatic relations this year.
The photographs feature two murals painted by the eminent Sri Lankan painter Solias Mendis in the Kelaniya Rajamaha Vihara, depicting the arrival of Arahat Mahinda in Sri Lanka from India to delivering the message of the Buddha to King Devanampiyatissa.
The second marks the arrival of Theri Sanghamitta to Sri Lanka, bearing the right-hand branch sapling of the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree.
Similar photographs have been installed at the Kushinagar and Ahmedabad airports; the RSS Headquarters in Nagpur; and office of the State Minister of External Affairs and Culture at the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi.
As part of an ongoing programme to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Indo-Lanka diplomatic relations, action has been initiated to install similar photographs at Bodh Gaya International Airport as well, the High Commission stated.
High Commissioner Moragoda also presented Adityanat, a stone obtained from the stream flowing besides the Seetha Amman Temple in Seetha Eliya (Ashoka Vatika) in Sri Lanka, which is believed to be the site where Sita was held captive By Ravana. —IANS

Sri Lanka and Uttar Pradesh are planning to strengthen ties by promoting the Ramayana trail in the island nation

Sri Lanka, UP To Strengthen Ties By Promoting Ramayana, Buddhist Trails

Thimphu (Bhutan): The long-awaited Hindi translations of five classical Tibetan Buddhist texts, first obtained from Tibet by famous author Rahul Sankrityayan (1893-1963) for India, are now set for printing, according to Bhutan Live. Tibetan Studies (CIHTS), undertook the arduous endeavour of translating these ancient Tibetan Buddhist manuscripts into Hindi in 2019. This project attempted to bring Buddhism's profound teachings and philosophy to a wider audience. In support of this mission, the Bihar government had set aside 19.4 million rupees (USD234,000) for the printing costs of the Hindi versions. The CIHTS has received the initial funding tranche of 1.55 million rupees (USD18,700) till now. The list of sacred texts awaiting publication includes the Karma Vibhang Sutra, the Pragyaparmitahridaya Sutra, a compendium by Acharya Dipankar Srijnana (980-1053), the Madhyamkalangkar Karika Bhashya Evam Teeka, and an assortment of other rare manuscripts, Bhutan Live reported. "These are the Tibetan versions of original Sanskrit scriptures penned on palm leaves on Buddhism and its philosophy, which were housed in the ancient Nalanda and Vikramshila universities," a researcher elucidated. "These manuscripts were transported to Tibet between the 7th and 11th centuries for their translation and dissemination of Buddhism. These were then translated into Tibetan under the supervision of scholars using handmade paper and natural ink," according to Bhutan Live.  Prof. Geshe Ngawang Samten explained that the benefits of translating this Tibetan literature into Hindi would not only benefit the people of Bihar but the entire country. Hundreds of volumes cover a wide range of topics, including astrology, tantra, meditation, medicine, philosophy, justice, and law. These translated texts have the potential to considerably contribute to the preservation and development of the old Nalanda knowledge heritage. "Our vice-chancellor, Prof. Geshe Ngawang Samten, has written to the Chief Minister twice over the past year and met him in person this April in Rajgir to discuss the project and secure the second tranche of funding," stated a CIHTS representative, Bhutan Live reported. Rahul Sankrityayan, known as the "Father of Hindi Travel Literature," was a linguist as well as a creative polymath. He was fluent in Sanskrit, Pali, and Tibetan, and he was well-versed in literature, philosophy, rare books, and art. During his four trips to Tibet, Sankrityayan collected over 10,000 Tibetan manuscripts. (ANI)

 The long-awaited Hindi translations of five classical Tibetan Buddhist texts, first obtained from Tibet 

India's pledge to revive forgotten Buddhist folklore across borders

Shimla: Tibetan Buddhist monks in Shimla performed traditional Cham (Lama Dance) to celebrate the birthday of the Guru Padmasambhava. Scores of monks assembled here at Dorjeedak Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Panthaghati near Shimla. Through these rituals, Tibetan Buddhist monks paid offerings for compassion and world peace. Before the dance performance, the monks and other Tibetan offered prayers for Guru Padmasambhava. The Buddhist monks through Lama Dance enacted the drama of the arrival of the 8 reincarnations of Lord Padmasambhava and welcomed the lord here. This dance is performed with traditional Tibetan musical instruments and monks wear masks and traditional hats and caps. The Buddhist monks here believe that this is performed to pay respect to guru Padmasambhava. The day of the dance performance is celebrated as his birthday. All Buddhist monks pray for the long life of the Dalai Lama and also other high Lamas. Tibetan monks also offer prayers for world peace and perform dances to preserve their centuries-old tradition. "According to the Lunar calendar of Tibet, the Birthday of the Guru Rinpoche (Guru Padmasambhava) is celebrated on the 10th day of the 4th month of the Tibetan calendar. All these Lamas and monks are doing the ritual dance for the offering. We are practising the preaching of the Guru Padmasambhava. We are reminding his teachings and performing rituals and preaching is important for world peace," said Shedup Mipham, a Tibetan Buddhist monk and secretary at Dorjeedak Tibetan Buddhist Monastery. People from the Tibetan community gathered here also to see the rich traditional dances of the Buddhist monks. The local residents of the Tibetan Buddhist community in exile here are pleased to take part in the Buddhist chanting. The local residents of the Tibetan Community here believe that the preaching of the Guru is important in propagating Buddhism and the message of compassion and peace. —ANI

 Tibetan Buddhist monks in Shimla performed traditional Cham (Lama Dance) to celebrate the birthday of the Guru Padmasambhava

Tibetan Buddhists Perform Lama Dance To Celebrate Birthday Of Guru Padmasambhava

Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday termed “unfortunate” Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya’s remark that the famous Badrinath temple in Garhwal Himalayas was originally a Buddhist monastery. Dhami said Maurya’s comment reflects the “anti-national and anti-religious” thinking of the Congress and its allies. “The comment made by the Samajwadi Party leader on Bhu Baikunth (heaven on earth) Shri Badrinath Dham, the centre of faith of crores of devotees, is unfortunate,” Dhami said, reacting to Maurya’s tweet that Badrinath was a Buddhist monastery until the eighth century. Dhami said the statement by a leader of the Samajwadi Party, which is a member of the “Mahathagbandhan (alliance of thugs)”, shows the anti-national and anti-religious thinking of the Congress and its allies. “This view also reveals the dominance of the ideology of SIMI and PFI within these parties,” he said. Uttarakhand Minister for Culture and Religious Affairs Satpal Maharaj said Maurya’s comment on Badrinath shows his lack of knowledge of the ‘Sanatan Dharma’ and that he only wants to be in the news by making misleading statements. Maharaj, who is also a religious preacher with followers across the country, said ‘Nar-Narayan’ (lord Vishnu) had done penance in Badrinath Dham. “Mahatma Buddha was not even born then. That’s why it is completely wrong to describe Badrinath Dham as a Buddhist monastery. Maurya should also know that when there used to be trade in Uttarakhand from Niti Valley in the past, offerings for Lord Badrinath used to come from the monasteries of Tibet,” he said. The sharp reaction by politicians and several social media users to his tweet did not deter Maurya from tweeting again on the matter on Friday. “Akhir mirchi lagi na, (it hurts you finally, doesn’t it) now they are reminded of their religion. Isn’t the faith of others also faith,” Maurya said. The SP leader said that it was in order not to hurt the religious sentiments of any section that he had said the status of all centres of faith as it was on the 15th of August 1947 should be accepted to avoid any dispute. “Or else we should be ready to accept a historical truth. Till the eighth century, Badrinath was a Buddhist monastery. It was made a centre of Hindu pilgrimage after that, this is the truth,” he tweeted in Hindi. —PTI&nbsp;

 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday termed “unfortunate” Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya

SP Leader Maurya's Claim Badrinath Used To Be Buddhist Monastery Unfortunate: Uttarakhand CM Dhami

Dehradun: In an apparent reference to disputes in Varanasi and Mathura, Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya said if the BJP looks for a temple in every mosque then people would start searching for a Buddhist monastery in every temple. "The Badrinath and Kedarnath temples in Uttarakhand, the Jagannath Temple in Puri, the Ayyappa Temple in Kerala and the Vithoba temple in Pandharpur (Maharashtra) were Buddhist monasteries. These Buddhist monasteries were demolished and then Hindu religious shrines came up there. They were Buddhist monasteries till the eighth century," he said on Sunday.
<a href="https://www.thehawk.in/posts/landslides-cause-concern-over-chungi-badethi-tunnel's-safety-on-gangotri-national-highway" target="_blank">Uttarakhand News: Landslides Cause Concern Over Chungi Badethi Tunnel's Safety On Gangotri National Highway</a> The SP national general secretary claimed there is ample historical evidence that all these temples were Buddhist monasteries. He said his intention is not to turn these temples into Buddhist monasteries "but, if you search for a temple in every mosque, then why should a Buddhist monastery not be searched for in every temple?" "BJP people under a conspiracy are raising the mosque-temple issue. They are looking for a temple in every mosque. This will cost them dearly. Because if they look for a temple in every mosque then people will start searching for a Buddhist monastery in every temple," Maurya told reporters here. Reacting to the statement, Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary said "insulting the Sanatan Dharma again and again" has become the habit of the Samajwadi Party and its leaders.
<a href="https://www.thehawk.in/posts/china-will-always-stand-firmly-with-pakistan:-chinese-president-xi" target="_blank">World News: China will always stand firmly with Pakistan: Chinese President Xi</a> He said Maurya's remarks about "Baba Kedarnath, Baba Badrinath and Shri Jagannath Puri, the main centres of faith of Hindus, are not only controversial but also show his trivial mindset and petty politics". He said the statement has hurt the feelings of crores of Hindus of the country and Uttar Pradesh and created hatred in the society. He said Maurya apologise for the statement. "And, Akhilesh Yadav, the Samajwadi Party chief, should give his opinion on this subject and clarify if the Samajwadi Party agrees with it," Chaudhary tweeted. Maurya made similar remarks on Friday, inviting a strong reaction from BJP leader and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami who had termed them "unfortunate" and said they reflect the "anti-national and anti-religious" thinking of the Congress and its allies. Maurya responded to the criticism on Sunday. "I had spoken about Badrinath and Kedarnath Dhaam and had said that from the end of the seventh century to the beginning of the eighth century, Badrinath was a Buddhist monastery, after which Shankaracharya had changed it and established it as a religious place for Hindus," he said. "I would like to tell the chief minister of Uttarakhand that everyone's faith (aasthaa) is important. If you are worried about your 'aasthaa', then you should be worried about others' 'aasthaa' as well," he said. BSP President Mayawati accused Maurya of trying to drive a wedge between communities ahead of the election.
<a href="https://www.thehawk.in/posts/byju%27s-sends-legal-notice-to-aakash-founders-demanding-share-transfer" target="_blank">Business News: BYJU'S sends legal notice to Aakash founders demanding share transfer</a> "The latest statement of Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya that many temples including Badrinath were built by demolishing Buddhist monasteries and why a modern survey should be done not only of Gyanvapi Masjid but also of other major temples, is a purely political statement giving rise to new controversies," she said in a tweet in Hindi. Mayawati also asked Maurya why he never raised such a demand when was a minister in the BJP government. "Maurya was a minister in the BJP government for a long time, why did he not put such pressure on his party and the government in this regard? And now creating such a religious controversy at the time of elections. Buddhist and Muslim communities are not going to be misled by them," she said. The disputes related to Varanasi's Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanvapi Masjid complex and Mathura's Krishna Janmasthan Temple-Shahi Eidgah Majisd are being heard by courts. —PTI

In an apparent reference to disputes in Varanasi and Mathura, Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya 

If BJP Looks For Temples In Mosques, People Will Search For Buddhist Monasteries In Temples: SP Maurya

Lalitpur (Nepal): In the courtyards of the Golden Temple in the ancient Patan Durbar Square of Nepal, around half a dozen artists are renovating an eight-centuries-old Buddhist manuscript with gold.  The 800 years old “Pragya Paramita” Buddhist scripture is being renovated by artists by reinstating the faded words and rewriting those damaged over the course of time.  All the scripts in this holy manuscript are in the “Ranjana” script (the oldest form of Newa: scripture) and are written with gold. Believed to have been first inscribed during Abhaya Malla’s regime before the unification of modern Nepal, the scripture is believed to have been prepared by Ananda Bhichhu (monk).  Kept in the Golden Temple at other times and recited on a daily basis, the Pursottam Maas (also called Mala Maas) gives a break to daily recitation when the artists gather together to renovate the ancient manuscript.  The artist involved in the renovation of the antique Buddhist manuscript, Hem Ratna Bajracharya told ANI, “Currently we are renovating the ‘Pragya Paramita’ written with gold. It is read out on a daily basis which has caused the gold to fade out and tear off. We are renovating it."  The word “Pragya” means ‘intellect’ and “Paramita” means ‘wholeness’ thus making the meaning intellectual wholeness. It is followed and read in those countries which follow Mahayana Buddhism which aims to secure enlightenment.  In this golden word manuscript, the eight thousand verses delivered by Gautam Buddha to one thousand three hundred and fifty disciples are recorded. It is believed that Buddha delivered those verses some 2500 years before.  “Following the ancient tradition of renovating it during the month of Mala Maas- Purusottam Maas. It has been followed since the past because for a month no religious functions are performed- based on this folklore, we have been renovating it. It is my tenth renovation, previously it used to be done by our father and forefathers and we have been following it since then,” Bajracharya said.  The month which does not have Surya Sakranti is called Mala Maas or Purusottam Maas which means there is no solstice of the Sun between one Aunsi “Amavasya” to another “Amavasya”. Sankranti means the entry of the Sun from one zodiac to another. Purusottam Maas comes with a difference of 32 months, 16 days and 6 hours.  It is another fact that the solar year is of 365 days and about six minutes and the lunar year is of 354 days. Thus, there is an interval of 11 days, 1 hour, 31 minutes and 12 seconds in both solar and lunar years. As this difference widens every year, it goes from three years to one month which is called Mala Maas.  This Buddhist manuscript in case of tearing or permanent damage beyond repair is rewritten on a special “Lokta” commonly known as “Nepali Kagaj” and locally known as “Nilpatra” which is made from the fibres of a plant called “Daphne Papyracea”- only found in Nepal. The paper is dyed in very dark blue ink which on drying almost appears black with has the special ability of being strong and retaining the special gold ink used to write the text very well.  The artists work every morning for about three hours and 30 minutes on a daily basis to renovate the manuscript for a month. The gold is converted into fine dust which is mixed with boiled flaxseed.  Bajracharya said, “In the Newari language we call it ‘Cholo’ the fine-dusted form of gold which is in the form of a sheet and is highly dissolvable in water and a special glue using the flaxseed is mixed in proportionate ratio to make the ink. If there is a variation in ratio then the writing becomes tougher as the gold is heavy and doesn’t spread." "In case of disproportionate ratio, the gold would form a lump and writing get stalled. That’s why specially trained persons are involved in the preparation of ink," he added. —ANI

In the courtyards of the Golden Temple in the ancient Patan Durbar Square of Nepal, around half a dozen artists

Artists In Nepal Repaint Buddhist Manuscript With Gold As Religious Rituals Halted For Month

Lumbini (Nepal): The construction of the India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage (IICBCH) formally began at Lumbini in Nepal with the Bhoomi Pooja rituals on Sunday. Attended by monks from different Buddhist nations, the ‘Bhoomi Pooja’ was performed at the lumbini-monastic-zone"&gt;Lumbini Monastic Zone, the birthplace of Gautam Budhha, the Light of Asia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his 2022 visit to Lumbini alongside then Nepali counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba had laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Buddhist Centre. A year later the formal process to start the construction of the state-of-art building with zero carbon emission kick-started on Sunday. Venerable Dhammapiya, Secretary General of the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) along with fellow monks took part in the ‘Bhoomi Pooja’. “We are very happy today that construction of the International Centre of Buddhist Culture and Heritage at Lumbini, Nepal is finally going to start. As we all know, the spiritual and cultural bond between India and Nepal goes back to 2,600 years," Dhammapiya told ANI. He added, "The main focus is friendship, harmony, and co-existence between the people of Nepal and India. We are grateful to the Government of Nepal and the people of Nepal and Buddhists of Nepal for giving us the opportunity to set up India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage". The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), New Delhi is overseeing the construction being done over the plot allocated by the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) under an agreement between IBC and LDT which was signed in March 2022. “The India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage which is being built here in Lumbini. The birthplace of Lord Buddha is soon going to get a centre where all information relating to him will be available. This would further strengthen and deepen relation between nations. Also, it would play an active role in the promotion and preservation of the Buddhist Culture and tradition and I expect it to be the milestone,” Dupten Jigdol, a member of the working committee of IBC told ANI. Once completed, the centre will be a world-class facility welcoming pilgrims and tourists from all over the world to enjoy the essence of the spiritual aspects of Buddhism. The state-of-art building in the shape of a bloomed lotus will be a modern building, NetZero compliant in terms of energy, water and waste handling, and will house prayer halls, meditation centres, a library, an exhibition hall, a cafeteria, offices and other amenities. Addressing the event, Venerable Metteyya Sakyaputta, the immediate Past-Vice President of the Lumbini Development Trust said, "Today the actual start of construction of India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage here in the sacred birthplace of Gutam Buddha within the Lumbini Masterplan zone takes us back to those eras". "I strongly remember my service as the vice-chairman, when I tried to look back into the documents about the countries that have voted and supported that Lumbini should be developed as an international centre and as a global Buddhist village. Among the pile of documents, I found the early letter written by an Indian envoy strongly commending Uthan for proposing Lumbini as International Peace Centre. Almost seven decades later here we are, in this very land a beautiful site-symbolic lotus of the Buddha’s teaching is going to be born here,” he further said. The “award of contract” for the project has been given to ACC-Gorakha, an Indo-Nepal Joint Venture company by International Buddhist Confederation. An estimated one billion Indian Rupees is expected to be incurred at the time of construction of the centre. —ANI

The construction of the India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage (IICBCH) formally began at Lumbini 

Construction Of India International Centre For Buddhist Culture And Heritage Begins With Bhoomi Pooja

New Delhi: An inspiring international conference of young Buddhist scholars was successfully organised in Delhi by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Bhutan Live reported. The conference, focused on the theme of ‘Significance of Buddhist Pilgrimage,’ brought together a diverse group of young academicians and researchers who delved into the relevance of Buddhist pilgrimage for the youth today. As per Bhutan Live, the primary objective of this conference was to create a dynamic platform for budding researchers to share their profound insights, engage in scholarly pursuits, and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field of Buddhism. It also aimed to ignite the passion of the next generation to explore the eight Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India and conduct research on other sacred sites both within the country and overseas. Over 70 young scholars from various nationalities, representing esteemed Buddhist institutions, attended the conference. Distinguished academicians and researchers from across the globe gathered to explore the multi-dimensional aspects of Buddhist Pilgrimage and exchanged valuable perspectives on the topic, Bhutan Live reported. A scholar emphasized the two aspects of taking a pilgrimage to holy sites: the physical and the mental. According to Buddhist teachings, the mental aspect involves an act of devotion and faith. By visiting these sacred places with feelings of reverence and veneration, one can purify their thoughts, speech, and actions. Jigmet Olden, a prominent research scholar from Delhi University, shed light on the historical Buddhist pilgrimage sites of Guru Padmasambhava in Ladhak. He expressed that pilgrimage holds an essential place in Buddhism as it allows followers to deepen their spiritual practice, connect with their faith, and cultivate mindfulness and compassion. It is also regarded as a means to purify negative karma and gain positive spiritual energy towards the path of eventual enlightenment. Throughout history, Buddhists have embarked on annual pilgrimages to the most significant holy sites, considering them as places of power and the physical embodiment of the Buddha’s teachings, Bhutan Live reported. Notable dignitaries graced the occasion, including the chief guest, SK Mishra, Chairman of the Indian Trust for Rural Heritage and Development (ITRHD). Professor Kuldeep Chand Agnihotri, Vice Chairman of Sahitya and Sanskriti Akademi, Haryana, delivered a keynote speech, shedding light on the importance of Buddhist pilgrimage and its profound impact on cultural heritage. The Guest of Honour, GKG Sarath Godakanda, Minister Counsellor from the Sri Lankan High Commission, New Delhi, spoke eloquently on the significance of the conference and its relevance to the global Buddhist community. The event also saw the presence of other distinguished dignitaries, including Tin Tin Htwe Win, Minister Counsellor (DCM) of the Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, and Keo Sengdavong, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Laos. The conference concluded on a high note, leaving a lasting impression on the attendees and reinforcing the significance of Buddhist pilgrimage as a timeless and transformative spiritual practice for the youth of today. The knowledge shared and connections made during the event are expected to pave the way for a brighter and more enlightened future for the global Buddhist community, according to Bhutan Live. —AN

An inspiring international conference of young Buddhist scholars was successfully organised in Delhi 

Young Scholars Organise Conference To Explore Buddhist Pilgrimage Sites In India

Siliguri (West Bengal) [India]: Tibetan spiritual leader the 14th Dalai Lama on Thursday arrived at Siliguri's Sed-Gyued Monastery to deliver teachings to his devotees. Preparations were in full swing at the monastery ahead of the Buddhist spiritual leader's visit after a gap of 13 years.
He visited the monastery after completing a three-day tour of Gangtok, the state capital of Sikkim. The Dalai Lama will deliver a two-hour-long teaching on Bodhicitta, the main cause of a Buddha, and the thoughts that help bring peace to the mind. Around 20,000 devotees have gathered from Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Dooars, and neighbouring states like Assam, Bihar, and Sikkim, including Nepal and Bhutan, for the Dalai Lama's teachings at the monastery. A devotee from Darjeeling GT Bhutia said: "The visit is a great opportunity to receive teaching from His Holiness Dalai Lama. The lesson is very important at this time when lots of fights and wars are going on. This is the right remedy for the world."
Another devotee from Nepal TD Bhutia said: "We can't express our happiness through words. It's more than any festival or something else. It's a priceless gift of my life." On Tuesday, an estimated 30,000 devotees converged at Paljor Stadium in Gangtok to witness the teachings of the Dalai Lama.  The Tibetan spiritual leader delivered the teaching on Gyalsey Thokme Sangpo's 37 Practices of Bodhisattva ('Laklen Sodunma') and the ceremony of the generation of Bodhichitta ('Semkye'). The 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva ('Laklen Sodunma') is an ancient text written in the 14th Century BCE by Tokme Sangpo, a Buddhist monk who was born in Puljung, south-west of the Sakya Monastery in Tibet. Dalai Lama shared: "By examining always the status of one's mind, with continuous mindfulness and alertness, to bring about the good of others--this is the practise of all the bodhisattvas. If you cultivate Bodhichitta on a daily basis, you can yield more benefits". Dalai Lama also recited a prayer, invoking Avalokiteshwara, for those who lost their lives in the recent flood disaster in Sikkim and for the peace and happiness of the people of Sikkim and neighbouring regions.  He emphasised compassion, nonviolence, and the importance of universal responsibility.
—ANI

Tibetan spiritual leader the 14th Dalai Lama on Thursday arrived at Siliguri's Sed-Gyued Monastery to deliver teachings to his devotees.

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PM to participate in the 'Shilanyas' ceremony for the construction of a unique centre for Buddhist Culture & Heritage in Lumbini May 16

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PM to participate in the 'Shilanyas' ceremony for the construction of a unique centre for Buddhist Culture & Heritage in Lumbini May 16

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