kapilvastu day movement booklet

8/8/2019 Kapilvastu Day Movement Booklet

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KAPILVASTU DAY MOVEMENT

GLOBAL COMMITTEE

ADVISORY BOARD:

* Mr. Agni Frank Eickermann (Founder of over 100 Light-Center in 50 countries and all continents;Author of 11 books, some translated in English, German, Swedish, Chinese, Russian, Dutch, Italian, Frenchand Spanish)

* Ani Choyuing Dolma (an exceptional singer, admired by fans in Nepal and throughout the world . ) * Dr. Arzu Rana-Deuba (CA member and MP)* HE Deepak Khadaka (Consulate General, NSW, Australia)* Ms Domo Geshe Rinpoche (Founder and Spiritual Director, White Conch Dharma Center, USA) * Prof. Dr. Kavitaram Shrestha (Visiting Professor: International Health Department of Public

Health University of Aberdeen Medical School, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK) * Mr. Rajendra Shrestha (Former Minister; Politburo Member, NCP, UML ) and* HE Dr. Rishi Adhikari (Nepali Ambassador to Malaysia)

GLOBAL COMMITTEE:

* Ram Kumar Shrestha Global Coordinator, UK* Abi Sharma Coordinator, Canada* Bhanu Poudyal Special Coordinator, Canada* Dr. Hari Kumar Shrestha Coordinator, Taiwan* Laxman Devkota Coordinator,, Portugal* Laxman Puri Coordinator, Nepal* Mrs Laxmi Simkhada Coordinator, USA* Nilkantha Tiwari Coordinator, Nepal* Ramhari Shrestha Coordinator, UK* Santosh Neupane Coordinator, Belgium* Miss Sanu Ghimire Coordinator, Australia

* Shambhu Kattel Coordinator, USA* Sujan Neupane Coordinator, Australia

SECRETARIATE (Responsible to coordinate):

* Ram Kumar Shrestha Global* Baburaja Maharjan Australia, Newzealand and surrounding countries* Hari Nepal Middle East* Binay Shah & Om Gurung Japan, Hongkong, China and surrounding countries* Shailesh Shrestha USA and South America* Chandra Rai Canada* Dr. Madhu K. Shrestha Europe

* Raj Shrestha SAARC



CONTENTS

1. Nepal‘s Lumbini: Where the Buddha was born B. K. Rana

2. Google Corrected its Mistake Breaking News

3. Kapilvastu Day as Part of the World Peace Movement Ram Kumar Shrestha

4. Kapilvastu Day Poster Poster5. Lumbini its challenges now and then Rupesh Shrestha

6. Why Kapilvastu Day – as Global Day? Damodar Prasad Acharya

7. Kapilvastu Day Poster Poster

8. Buddhism: Fundamental to World Peace Ram Kumar Shrestha

9. NEFIN Poster Poster

10. Letter Submission to the Prime Minister News (With photos)

11. Book Published by the Movement

12. Buddha Photos



NEPAL’ S LUMBINI: WHERE THE BUDDHA WAS BORN

―…. Hida Bhagavm Jateti Lumini Game―( The Lord Buddha was born here inLumbini Village). The full text of the inscription in English reads: ―Twenty years after thecoronation, Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi (Ashok) visited this place and

worshiped because here, Lord Buddha, sage of Sakyamuni was born‖.[1]

By B. K. Rana

General Background:

Lumbini, the present southwestern Nepalese Tarai, is one of the holiest Buddhistpilgrimages on the earth. Lumbini presents herself as a land of eternal peace andserenity. In fact it is a fountain of love, compassion, nonviolence and world peace also.The importance of this holiest pilgrimage is profound because Buddha was born heresome 2600 years ago.

The young pregnant princess Maya Devi was on her way from Kapilvastu toDevadaha[1], her father‘s home, as the time had come to deliver [2] baby SiddharthaGautama – the future Buddha. The ‗Pradimoksha Van‘ – Lumbini Garden – as soenchanting it was, she virtually could not resist ! She thought to stroll around the gardenand take a bath also in ‗Pushkarini‘ pond down there since the destination was not thatfar away. After the bath, she felt some pain in her stomach. Lo, she went into labourbefore reaching Devadaha! And a baby boy was born to become – the Enlightened One

– the Buddha, the prince of peace, love and compassion. It was on the full moon day,Friday, Vaisakha of 623 B.C[3] .

As soon as the baby boy had entered the world, ‗he walked seven steps northwards onlotus petals; raised right hand forefinger and spoke, ―Aggohamamsi Lokassa‖[4] . Atleast two celestial figures began pouring water in his worship. In joy lotuses were throwndown from the heaven also‘. This is what the Buddhist texts read and the Buddhists alsobelieve in.

Emperor Ashok, having caused a huge bloodshed and loss of lives in the 12 yearKalinga War[5], eventually embraced Buddhism to spread Buddha‘s message of nonviolence, compassion and love towards all living beings on the land. Hoping to findpeace in mind, he paid a visit to this holiest site in the 20th year of his coronation in 249B. C. He offered worship to the holy land and ordered exemption of 1/8th on produce

tax from the people of Lumbini Village. Such portion used to be a considerable relief tothe people of the land at that time.

To commemorate his visit, the emperor erected a stone column engraving a short edictwhich even today reads: Hida Budhe Jateti Luminigamme – ‗Budddha was born here inLumbini Village‘ so it will be – Ubalike Kate Athabhagiya cha – waived 1/8th of tax onproduce henceforward. The Ashokan visit to Lumbini revived waning Buddhism

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prompting more construction works of monasteries and the likes around the birth placefrom the 3rd century B.C. to 6th century A. D. – recent Lumbini excavations reveal.

Although, not trained on archaeology or epigraphy but having deep interest in thesubject and visited Lumbini scores of times and seen through eyes the inscription on the

Ashokan Pillar beside the present Maya Devi Temple and other archaeological sitessuch as Devadaha, Niglihawa and Gotihawa etc. here in this sort write-up, I intend todiscuss the profound importance of the Lumbini Ashokan Inscription in determiningwhere the Buddha – the Light of Asia – was born.

Discovery of Ashokan Inscriptions[6] :

Dr. Anton A. Fuhrer discovered Lumbini Ashokan Pillar on December 1, 1896. He sawthe pillar ‗standing nine feet above the ground‘. And which he later excavated and foundthe Ashokan inscription ‗10 feet below the surface and 6 feet above the base‘[7]. Theinscription definitively reads Buddha being born in Lumbini of present Nepal. However,

there are some researchers out there who doubt it and opine Lumbini ‗a Fuhrer -forgedname‘ of the village. Whatever be the case, the Ashokan inscription on the pillar standing in the Lumbini Garden can not be debated for its originality.

A similar type of Ashokan inscription was discovered in Kapileswara, Orrisa in 1928.Naturally, this new Ashokan inscription could cause a kind of sensation amongarchaeologists around the world. Thus a controversy on Buddha birth place began. TheKapilesawara inscription gave birth to a new controversy on the Buddha birth place,which has not yet ceased since a century almost.

Few researchers, particularly from Orrisa, India have been found holding ‗nationalistic

view‘ regarding the Buddha birth place which may seem natural in their part but suchview appears more partisan than of any academic credence. The Kapileswarainscription is the sole object brought forward in this case; which eminent epigraphistsand anthropologists have not received and shared seriously rather termed it – ‗notgenuine‘ or ‗spurious copy of the record‘.

The Orrisan scholars argue that Buddha was born in Kapileswara village near thepresent Bhuvaneshawra in Orissa; not in Lumbini of Nepal. Those who hold this viewbasically have the following while making their points:

a) Kapileswara Ashokan Inscription discovered in 1928[8],

b) ‗Lembai Pragana‘ seen in the maps of 1817 and,

c) Kapileswara in Bhubaneswar, Orrisa.

i) Raising a question of authenticity on the present Lumbini Ashokan inscription, Prof.Nabin K. Sahu, a historian from Orrisa published a book in 1959 and wrote ‗ Buddhawas born in Orrisa‘[9]. Then another book came out to the public eye which reads: ‗the

















real birth place of Buddha is Kapileswara; not Lumbini of Nepal‘. This is apparently abook for fun-reading than any academic excellence[10]. The writer also goes deep intocultural level and finds Buddha marrying his maternal uncle‘s daughter - Yashodhara. Hesays, ‗this culture is living in Orrisa even today[11]‘. Such culture is living even todayalso among Nepal‘s Magar people who live thickly near the hills of Lumbini[12]. There

are some other cultural issues he brings forward with which I may prefer not going alongin this short write-up. The Buddha-era culture is living with Magars of Nepal but aquestion pops out: Can such a culture last more than 2600 years in some particularcommunity of people ?

ii) The ‗Lembai Pragana‘ seen in a Orrisan maps of 1817 has been brought forward insupport of Orrisa Buddha birth place claim. The Orrisan scholars seem to have foundNepal‘s Ashokan ‗Lumbini‘ as the corrupt form of ‗Lembai‘ of Orissan Kapilesawara or vice versa. These two toponyms look similar but phonetically they are not. They do nothave same philological value also.[ please see - Lumbini Lexical Analysis - below]

iii) The Orissa scholars do not accept present Nepal‘s Kapilvastu as the place whereBuddha grew up and where from King Shuddodhan ruled. Their belief strengthens evenmore when western scholars, like Alexander Cunnigham [1814 – 1893], believe suchhistoric spot near Bhulia in Basti district in North West Indian province. They brushaside Max Muller who disagrees with Cunnigham terming the latter‘s view ‗clearlywrong‘[13]. Max Muller holds the view that present Nepal‘s Kapilvastu is the kingdomthat Buddha renounced.

Some scholars have misquoted Cunningham as saying the Lumbini inscr iption ―not atall related to the name Kapilavastu nor the word Kapil also‖[14]. It is a perplexingremark made against the English scholar because he was already dead in 1893 before

the discovery of Lumbini inscription was made in 1896. Of course there can be anagreement that Sir Cunnigham does not seem to have a clear view on whether theBuddha was born in present Nepal‘s Kapilvastu or Lumbini as he writes the Buddha wasborn in Kapila (Kapilvastu); proceeds forward in another page and again writes the lordwas born in Lumbini. But his description offers a clear picture of present Kapilvastuwhere the Buddha spent his childhood and youth age as well.

While discussing the territory of Sravasti, Cunnigham discusses some of the westernregions of present Nepal also. He quotes Hwen Tsang‘s travelogue that Sravasti was inbetween Karnali river in the west and the mountain Dhaulagiri and Faizabad in the east.The Karnali river, one of the major rivers in western Nepal, flows south till today towardsthe Ganges in Utter Pradesh, India. The Mt. Dhaulagiri is one of the eight-thousandersin western Nepal. From Sravasti both Fa-Hian and Hwen Tsang proceeded towardsKapilvastu in the south east direction [both measure 13 yojanas or 91 miles and 500 li or 83 miles respectively][15]. Although the description is hazier, it can point the rightlocation of present Kapilvastu.

Moving back to the Kapileswara inscription in discussion, Prof. Dines Chandra Sircar, adistinguished epigraphist of India, degrades it as ‗a recent forgery‘ and ‗spurious nature

























of record‘. He has discussed it at length in his book and even ridiculed Prof. Vincent A.Smith [1843 – 1920] for publishing a ‗retouched facsimile of the record‘ in his historybooks prescribed for school and university level students of India.

Prof. Sircar adds further up, ―The same facsimile became widely known in Eastern India

with its reproduction in Hari Parsad Sastri‘s ‗History of India‘ (in Bengali) meant for school children and later in some text books of the kind. There can hardly be any doubtthat the people responsible for the Kapilesawra inscription copied it from the samefacsimile not much earlier than 1928‖[16]

On the Kapileswara Ashokan inscription, U. C. Mohanty has quoted Prof. Nirmal KumarBose, a renowned anthropologist of India as saying, ―In order to clarify this issue I askedMaharana to explain this deviation at the end. Maharana narrated that while he wascarving the inscription, at the last line there was some shortage of space. WhenMaharana pointed this difficulty to Biren Babu he suggested to him to cover the emptyspace with some chisel marks so that the line could not be completed.‖

Mohanty further quotes Prof. Bose as saying ‖ when this discovery was announcedGovernment made some local enquiries through the Collector of Puri. But Biren Roywas shrewed enough to bribe a Brahmin of Kapileswar with a ten rupee note and thisBrahmin deposed before the Revenue Officer that the inscription had been discoveredfrom a broken wall of his house while it was being reconstructed[17].‖

Lumbini Lexical Analysis:

The Lumbini Ashokan Pillar standing by the ‗Maya Devi Temple‘ in Lumbini Gardenspeaks the fact for ever. The writing on the pillar,- ‗hida bhagabvam jateti Lummnigame’

– exclusively provides a proof that the Buddha was born in present Nepal‘s Lumbinisome 2600 years ago. It is therefore worthwhile discussing the lexical importance of – ‗Lummini+game‘ i.e. ‗Lumbini‘ also.

Fa-Hian transcribes ‗Lumbini‘ as ‗Lun-min or Lun-ming‘ with two distinctive nasalvariations whereas Hwen Tsang ‗sinotizes‘ it as ‗La-fa-ni‘. These two Fa-Hian and HwenTsang variations are due to their reception of a different family lexis. Such differencenormally occurs among the speakers of different language families. Here the Indo-European ‗Lumbini‘ has either become ‗Lun-min or Lun-ming‘ or ‗La-fa-ni‘ in Sino-Tibetan, which is very understandable. This is natural and there should be no specificmeanings attached to them. But some scholars find Hwen Tsang‘s ‗La -fa-ni‘

corresponding with ‗La-va-ni‘ of Sanskrit, which means ‗a beautiful woman‘.Phonetically, ‗La-fa-ni‘ and ‗La-va-ni‘ bear same voiced and voiceless i.e pharyngealfricative features. ‗La-fa-ni‘ more in a sense is a ‗folk-etymological toponymy‘ of ‗Lumbini‘ which could have been something like ‗Lam-ba-ni‘ referring to later ChineseBuddhist lexicography[18]. This lexicography looks somewhat funnier. The lexes ‗Lafani‘and ‗Lavani‘ here seem to be referring to Buddha‘s grand mother who might have beena beautiful woman.













Some scholars believe ‗Anjan, the king of Devadaha[19] made a beautiful garden andnamed it ‗Lumbini‘ after his Queen Lumbini. The queen was Buddha‘s grandmother from his mother‘s side‘. Not much information is available on the Queen Mother Lavani,however, she could give a famous name for the garden where the Buddha wasborn[20]. Etymologically, ‗Lumbini‘ or Lumbinidevi, Rummindehi, Rupandevi and

Rupandehi bear the same distinctive feature.

What is also claimed is that Lumbini is other form of ‗Lhum + beni‘[21] with an aspirated‗l‘ of which ‗Lhum‘ means ‗a vast land‘ and ‗beni‘ means ‗confluence of two rivers‘.Lumbini is on a vast land or ‗Tarai‘ of western Nepal. And also, there seem to havebeen some sizable waters around Lumbini in those days. Such as some springs atLumbini and the Telar river[22] flowing south east of it. They should have made aconfluence near Lumbini.

Lumbini, Anton Fuhrer and Controversy:

In some cases, Lumbini and Anton Fuhrer stand complementary to each other. Fuhrerdiscovered the Ashokan pillar and read the engraved letter ‘hid bhagavam jateti Luminigame’. And knew the place was and is Lumbini. He discovered the right spotwhere Buddha was born. But some scholars both inside and outside Orrisa cast doubtover the landmark Fuhrer discovery. Some have named it ‗Fuhrer archaeologicalscandal‘ also. The present site is not what Fa-Hian or When Tsang have described orfound or written in other Buddhist scriptures – they add. Further more, they even saythat Fuhrer confessed his forgery in written.

The controversy over present Nepalese Lumbini has not ceased since a century almost.Scholars, writers, journalists from around the world are writing mainly from two different

angles: Whether Buddha was born in Lumbini of Nepal or somewhere in India. Somepeople also argue Buddha was born neither in Nepal‘s Lumbini nor in any part of India.A bunch of western scholars hold this view point. What is even startling is that few otherscholars have started writing Buddha was born in Iran![23] The Lumbini Ashokan PillarInscription has not received a universal recognition yet.

And, not a single research paper or book has come out without any partisan line in thissubject. Some scholars are found solely sticking to ‗manufactured myths‘ whilediscussing Buddha birth place. Myths are manufactured in leisure and mostly areunreliable. From the part of Nepalese scholars, they have even now begun discussing‘a ‘marker stone‘ that they hope ‗would determine the exact location !‘

How could such a stone be a definitive evidence that the Buddha was born exact in thatchamber there ? What on earth would researchers and scholars from around the worldsimply accept such a publicity in media and ‗put the debate to rest‘ as the prime minister had hoped for?[24] This view contradicts with that in scriptures or travelogues ofdifferent famous travelers that Buddha was born under a tree either Ashok or Sal – wedon‘t know for sure. But of -course, we believe Buddha was born in present day Nepal‘sLumbini.
























Nepal, not in India:

The Buddha was born in present Nepal, not in India – clear and simple. Some Indianwriters in the past willfully or otherwise supplied wrong information in history booksabout Buddha birth place and put them into school, college syllabuses. Then each

generation students began receiving wrong information. Inculcated with wronginformation, the new generation students later grew up and began disseminating ‗falseinformation‘ without going deep into the facts. What they were taught they wrote it. Thefacts on the ground did not match – controversy began.

In short, the Orissan claim that the Ashokan Inscription was copied and duplicate pillarwas erected in Lumbini of Nepal bears no substance at all. The simple question to thisclaim is, who would have copied the old Asokan inscription hundreds of years later andhid in Nepal‘s Tarai to protect from those violent Sankarachayras hundreds of milesaway ? Why not they dug a hole and hid under ground somewhere in Orissa as inKathmandu‘s Budhanilkantha[25] ?

Besides Hwen Tsang and Fa-hian‘s travelogues, the internal evidence of the Pali canonis clear enough: Buddha was born in Lumbini, near Kapilavastu, which used to be oneof the Bihar-area tribal Gana polities like their neighbors; the Malla, where he died, orthe powerful Vrijji etc. All of them were in present Bihar or Nepalese Tarai, not in Orissa.

Majjhima Desha, Jambu Dwipa:

There can be hardly any different opinions that the importance of media in the Googleage is extraordinarily great and challenging. Therefore, media people are alwaysexpected to publish or transmit correct information to the public. But as of the Buddha

birth place conspiracy theory, some of those media persons have been foundmisquoting scholars of international name and standing. Such a misquoted scholar hasbecome Prof. Hermann Kulke, a renowned indologist now awarded with ‗PadmaShri‘ for his outstanding contribution towards Indian History and Culture. The award isthe fourth highest of civilian awards given by the Government of India generally torecognize someone‘s distinguished contribution in various spheres of activity includingArts, Education, Industry, Literature, Science, Sports, Medicine, Social Service andpublic life.

Prof. Kulke needed to issue a public statement following a leading daily newspaper fromNew Delhi, India and some other news outlets[26] misquoted him ‗backing the Orrisan

claim‘. Refuting what it had appeared in the media, Prof. Kulke posted a statement onDecember 21, 2004[27].

Another less heard but an interesting claim so far made by another Orrisan scholar isthat Buddha himself had said he was born in the ―Majjhima Desha of Jambu Dwipa‘. Heargues the ‗Majjhima Desh‘ of Jambu Dwip can not be Nepal. Here the writer himselfappears to be forgetting that Orrisa too, doesn‘t happen to be in central India or ‗Majjhima Desh of Jambu Dwip‘. Orrisa is at the east edge by the Bay of Bengal in the












Indian subcontinent. It is not at the center of India. The writer quotes, ―Edward J.Thomas[28] had clearly said that the Jatakas and Lalita Vistara described the words ofBuddha himself in this connection‖ of his birth in the Middle Province of India.[29]

On the growing list, the Orrisan scholars have also dragged down a noted Oxford

historian Prof. Vincent A. Smith to the Lumbini – Fuhrer controversy. They claim Prof.Smith did not accept Dr. Fuhrer‘s naming of ‗Lumbini‘ to the spot where the Ashokanpillar was standing. This is also a wrong interpretation of what the historian has written.Posting the top part broken, half-excavated photo of the pillar in his book Prof. Smithwrites, ―The Rummindei ruins lie 4 miles inside the Nepalese border, and a little to thewest of the Tilar, river‖[30]. I am at a loss to understand why the Orrisan scholars haverequired dragging this scholar to this controversy?

The other point brought in this conspiracy theory is that ‗no Buddhism was adopted inNepal until the 6th Century A. D. So the Lumbini Ashokan inscription bears no truth.‘This is also another bewildering remark the Orrisan scholars have made so far in this

connection – I would write.

What can be said here is that King Ashok had visited Nepal (Kathmandu valley)sometime after his pilgrimage to Lumbini and constructed four stupas in four differentcorners of the valley. He gave his daughter Charumati to Devpal – prince of Nepal.Charumati lived in Chabahil near Pashupati Temple. After the death of her husbandDevapal, Charumati built a town and named it – ‗Devpatan‘ – in memory of the deadhusband. Later she became a nun herself and spread Buddhism in the valley.

Conclusion:

So, where was Buddha born? The straight answer to this question is absolutely ‗yes, inpresent Nepal‘s Lumbini‘. The Lumbini Ashokan inscription is the evidence. Alongsidethe Lumbini garden, are Bodha Gaya in Bihar, Kushinagar, [Kshauvati in Jatak Katha,the Capital City of Malla] in Utter Pradesh and Sarnath, also in Utter Pradesh. Theseare the other Buddhist holiest places in the Indian Subcontinent closely related to theBuddha‘s life. Bodh Gaya and Kushinagar are near Nepal border whereas Saranath[also called Isipatana in Pali Canon, is near Vanaras] in Utter Pradesh. Being in theproximity of Lumbini, these holiest sites also offer themselves as another proof thatBuddha was born here in Nepal‘s Lumbini. If the Buddha were born in Orrisa or somewhere else, these kinds of holy sites would have also certainly been near Orrisa orsomewhere else by some different names.

The Buddha came to this world, obtained enlightenment, preached his ‗dharma‘ anddied in those four different holy places. Except for those four different places, he doesnot seem to have visited some other places in his life. So there should be no questionwhether Buddha was born in Orrisa or had ever visited it. It is therefore relevant to puthere the widely acclaimed native Orrisa historian Prof. Karuna Sagar Behera‘s view inthis connection.














Prof. Behera said, ―The Buddha was neither born in Orissa nor visited the place duringhis lifetime.‖ [31], But he added that Orrisa has contributed immensely to the growth anddevelopment of Buddhism in the Indian sub-continent. Keeping in view, the paramounthistorical and religious importance, of these four holiest Buddhist pilgrimages,concerned governments should always endeavour to preserve them and develop for

tourism and education also. These governments should also keep close eyes on schoolcurricula exclusively on matters relating to the birth place of the Buddha so that cominggenerations would receive correct information and no chances would be left wide openfor any kind of antagonism between the peoples of these two neighbouring countries.

Additionally at the end, there were no boundaries that we have today in between Nepaland India when Buddha was born. We do not know for sure whether these two countrynames ever existed then. Here is a quote from George Curzon, former Viceroy of Indiabut earlier a geographer who trekked through the Pamirs and wrote a book about it:―The idea of a demarcated frontier is itself an essentially modern conception which findslittle or no place in the ancient world.‖[32]

And, Prof. Michael Witzel at Harvard University says, ―Between 1816 and 1864, theBuddha was born, at Lumbini (Rummindei),in British India. Before and after that date: inNepal‖.

References: Buhler, G.- [1897] The Discovery of Buddha’s Birthplace- The Journal of the RoyalAsiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Cunnigham, Alexander – [1871] – The Ancient Geography of India – Trubner and Co. 60Paternoster Row, London

Deeg, Max – [2003] – The Places Where Siddhartha Trod: Lumbini and Kapilvastu – LumbiniInternational Research Institute, Lumbini, Nepal.

Huntington, John C. – [1986] – Orientations – September, 1986 – Showing the Seeds of theLotus: A Journey to the Great Pilgrimage Site of Buddhism Part V.

Mohanty, U. C – [1976]- EXTRACT FROM ‗TWO ANECDOTES NARRATED BY TWOARCHAEOLOGISTS‘, (Orissa Historical Research Journal, Vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 16-20, 1976) – Courtesy Terrnece Phelps.

Muller, F. Max – [1898] – Blackwoods Edinburgh Magazine, Vol – CLXIV – July- December1898,

Sahu, Nabin Kumar – [1959]- Buddhism in Orrisa – 1959,

Sircar, Dinesh Chandra [1965] – Indian Epigraphy – Reprint 1996, Motilal Banarasi Das NewDelhi, India.











Smith, Vincent Arther -[1914] - The Early History of India, From 600 B. C. to MuhammadanConquest – Oxford at the Clarendon Press.

Thomas, Edward J. – [ 1993] – The life of Buddha: As Legend and History, First Indian edition,New Delhi.

[1] Also called Ramagrama, 26 kilometers east of present Lumbini Garden.

[2] Used to be custom to deliver baby in one‘s father‘s house.

[3] This is Shri Lankan dating of Buddha birth. There are some variations.

[4] Jatak Attha Katha – ―I am the foremost of all the creatures of the world to cross the riddle ofthe ocean of existence. I have come to the world to show the path of Emancipation. This is mylast birth and hereafter I will not be born again‖

[5] [5]At least 150,000 were made POW [prisoners of war] and 100,000 were killed and thatmany times that number perished from famine, pestilence and other calamities afterwards[Smith, 1914, pp. 138 ]

[6] ‗The Real Birth Place Of Buddha Yesterday‘s Kapilavastu, Today‘s Kapileswar‘, OrrisaHistorical Research Journal – 2004 http://tinyurl.com/ya7ejdh

[7] The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland http://tinyurl.com/ylren2d

[8] On August 24, 1928 a news broke out from a local newspaper the ‗Daily Asha‘ that anAshokan inscription was discovered in Kapileswara of Orrisa. Scholars began discussing its

originality. Some supported the view that the new find was the real whereas a bunch of othersstood against. It was reported by a local journalist in Oriya Language. And then another articleappeared in ‗Prabashi‘ in support of the inscription in July 1928. Casting doubt over the newfind, another article came out in the same magazine in October 1928. In 1929 the view wasdiscredited again and it is going on and on.

[9] ―It is quite amazing to note that an inscription has been discovered from Kapileswar whichcontains the same subject matter as found in the Tarai Pillar inscription. The scripts of it belongto the time of Ashok and a script writer named ―Chundraya‖ had written them. He had signed hisname in Kharostri script. From his inscription it is found that Buddha Dev was born in Orrisa‘[Buddhism in Orrisa - 1959, pp 1-2].

[10] ―The Shakyas and Kolios were much interested in producing scented rice to eat.Suddhodan was the father of Goutam Buddha. Literally one who likes pure rice is known asSuddhodana. Sinhayuna was the grand father of Goutam Buddha, who had five sons. Thenames of his sons were given in a manner that every name is related to rice only.i)Suddhodana,ii)Amitodana iii)Dhautodana,iv) Suklodan, v) Sukhodana‖. All five have the samelast name ending at ‗dhan ‘ – meaning – rice [‗dhan’ - in Nepali also]‘ because ‗they lovedgrowing different types of flavoured rice‖.- Chakradhar Mahapatra – The Real Birth Place ofBuddha – 1977.

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[11] John C. Huntington offers a side-note to the book ―The Real Birth Place of Buddha – 1977‖as ―of little scholarly value, if the writer has a fairly thorough knowledge of the archaeology of the pilgrimage route, it is fun to read‖ [Showing the Seeds of the Lotus: A Journey to the GreatPilgrimage Site of Buddhism Part V‘ – Orientations - September, 1986] http://tinyurl.com/yloex8d

[12] This culture is living in Nepal‘s Magar and Gurung Society also.

[13] Blackwoods Edinburgh Magazine, Vol – CLXIV – July- December 1898, pp 787

[14] PRESENT KAPILESWARA OF ODISHA IS THE THEN KAPILA VASTU OF KALINGAhttp://tinyurl.com/yk5a5sw

[15] Hwen Tsang assigns kingdom of Sravasti a circuit of 4000 li, or 667 miles which is aboutdouble the actual size of territory lying between the Ghagra river and the foot of the mountains;but as he assigns the same dimensions to the territory of Nepal, it is probable that in his timethe two western districts of Malbhum and Khachhi , in the hills to the north, may at that timebelonged to Sravasti. The territory of Sravasti would thus have comprised all the country lyingbetween Himalaya mountains and the Ghagra river , from Karnali river in the west to themountain of Dhaolagiri and Faizabad in the east. [Cunnigham, 1871 - pp. 413/414]

[16] Dines C. Sircar – Indian Epigraphy – 1965 reprint 1996 – pp437/438 http://tinyurl.com/kvv4rs

[17] EXTRACT FROM ‗TWO ANECDOTES NARRATED BY TWO ARCHAEOLOGISTS‘,(Orissa Historical Research Journal, Vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 16-20, 1976) – Courtesy: TerrencePhelps http://tinyurl.com/yj37xpe

[18] Fayun‘s Fanyi-mingyi-ji [Collection of the Meaning of Translated Names] – ‗Linweini,or Luimini or, Lanpini mean ‗ place of redemption‘ or ‗ circle of light of happiness‘ - [Max Deeg,

2003]

[19] Which is also called Ramgram in Nawalparasi district some 26 kilometers east of Lumbini.

[20] Some writer have treated Lumbini garden as Maya Devi Garden which is not true. Thegarden existed before Buddha was born.

[21] This nomenclature in Magar language, a Tibeto-Burman language, spoken around thepresent Lumbini, may offer partisan meaning but it is not less reasonable than the ChineseBuddhist lexicography discussed in this article.

[22] The Telar river [Oil River]

[23] Now comes the earth-moving discovery by the Indian researcher. He claims that Buddhismarose, not in North India, but in what is now Iran, that part of Iran which was formerly a part ofIndia (so called India within Iran). See ―Zoroaster and Gotama in a Non -Jonesean Framework‖http://tinyurl.com/y9ub4aw

[24] An international team of archeologists has reported discovering the chamber where Buddhawas born more than 2,500 years ago, 16 feet beneath an ancient temple in southwestern Nepal.



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The archeologists said they had found relics under the Mayadevi temple in Lumbini, 200 milessouthwest of the Himalayan kingdom‘s capital Kathmandu. Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said the discovery put to rest an international debate on whether Buddha,whose followers now number nearly 350 million worldwide, was born in Nepal or India.http://tinyurl.com/yky7ne3

[25] Kathmandu‘s Budhanilakantha is said to have been hid under ground to protect it fromMuslim invader Samsuddin Elias in 13th century

[26]German researcher claims Buddha born in Orissa?

http://tinyurl.com/ydq3equ

[27] KULKE REJECTS ORRISA BUDDHA BIRTHPLACE CLAIM [AND POSTS ASTATEMENT BELOW TO HIS COLLEAGUES THROUGH AN EMAIL MESSAGE.]http://tinyurl.com/ydhsm7d

[28] Edward J. Thomas – The life of Buddha: As Legend and History, First Indian edition – 1993 – http://tinyurl.com/ye2mrfk

[29] PRESENT KAPILESWARA OF ODISHA IS THE THEN KAPILAVASTU OF KALINGA – http://utkal-history.blogspot.com/

[30] ‖in approximately E.Long. 85.11 N. lat. 25.58. Padaria is a neighbouring village. The Niglivapillar, which apparently has been moved from its original position now stands about 13 miles tothe north-west from Rummindei. For facsimile of Rummindei inscription see Asoka, theBuddhist Emperor of India, plate ii‖ [Smith – 1914 - pp 169]

[31] New debate on birthplace of Buddha

by Rabindra Nath Choudhury, The Asian Age India, Sept 14, 2005

Bhubaneswar, India — There seems to be no end to the controversy over the birthplace of LordBuddha. The latest claim that the apostle of peace was born in Orissa has been challenged byhistorian Karuna Sagar Behera. He said, ―The Buddha was neither born in Orissa nor visited theplace during his lifetime.‖ Mr Behera said the claims made in this regard could go against theinterests of the state. http://tinyurl.com/yl3jlyv

[32] Frits Staal, Chiangmai,Thai Land

You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more

deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not

to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe

deserve your love and affection.

Buddha

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Google Corrected its Mistake (Breaking News)

Posted by worldamity on March 22, 2010

It is our Great pleasure to inform you all that the news Buddha’s Birthplace error in Google

Maps is already history. It is just couple of hours I received message from friends of mine: ―Itseems to me your blog is very closely watched by Google people.‖ I rechecked the Google Map

and found there that Buddha‘s Birthplace now not in India, but in Nepal. This is due to our voice,

this is due to our effort. Lots of groups created in Facebook ( Hey Google! Buddha was born

in Nepal not in India!!!, Google Fix the Buddha’s Birthplace error in Google Map, google

maps I Hate U: birthplace of Buddha is, “Lumbini, NEPAL”, not UP, India ) as well to raise

voice against Google‘s wrong information.

Could you check Quotations by Authors and the map in this article. These links are also with

some blonder mistakes. We need to raise our voice there too. Even after flood of criticisms,

Newsweek Editor Fareed Zakaria is pretending that nothing happening against his

misinformation. A wise man always accepts his mistakes. Let‘s wait and see.

38 Responses to “Google Corrected its Mistake (Breaking News)”

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Kapilavastu Day as Part of the World Peace Movement

By Ram Kumar Shrestha,Global Coordinator, Kapilvastu Day Movement

―We shall find peace. We shall hear the angels; we shall see the sky sparkling withdiamonds.‖ (Anton Chekhov) Undoubtedly a peaceful world is everybody‘s yearningand dream and many philosophers and humanitarian activists are optimistic that we willget there, however; every day results make it seem that we are not making muchprogress. The world peace mission has been complicated because of the divergence ofpeople involved and their ways of thinking. This suggests to us that we need to work indifferent ways to coordinate and cooperate with each other to achieve this goal.Although this mission is very difficult, it is not impossible if we are serious about bringingchange. As part of the World Peace Movement, Nepali intellectuals living in differentcountries decided to commemorate Kapilavastu, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, Day

as a global holiday in order to spread the peace message all over the world. GautamBuddha, has been revered as a Peace Ambassador who is more and more able topersuade his followers to work more seriously in the World Peace Movement.

Kapilavastu, located close to Lumbini, is considered a holy pilgrimage place forBuddhists since it is known to be the birthplace of the Lord Buddha. The result of yearsof excavation and research by numerous international teams has concluded thatKapilavastu is in Nepal. UNESCO affirms the findings and has named Kapilavastu, andLumbini as World Heritage sites.

Originally, on December 1, 1896, Dr Anton Führer, a German archaeologist, had

claimed to have discovered the Buddha‘s birthplace when he found the Asoka Pillar atLumbini. Even though this site was originally discovered by Khadga Shamsher beforeFührer, Führer was credited with the find as he brought it to light and made it known tothe international community. The Asoka Pillar is the most important evidence thatproves that Buddha was born in Lumbini. Therefore, we decided to celebrateDecember 1st as Kapilavastu Day.

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Buddha taught that the world must be thought of in procedural terms and not in terms ofthings or substances. The Buddha advised viewing reality as comprised of dependentlyoriginated phenomena and Buddhists deem this approach to experience as avoiding thetwo extremes of Reification and Nihilism. This is the understanding that anyphenomenon exists only because of the existence of other phenomena in an incredibly

complex web of cause and effect covering past, present and future. Stated in anotherway, everything depends on everything else and this seems to be the basic of Newton‘slaw of Motion, ”To every action ther e is always an equal and opposite reaction” . Ahuman being‘s existence in any given moment is dependent on the condition of everything else in the world at that moment, and in an equally significant way, thecondition of everything in the world in that moment depends conversely on the characterand condition of that human being. Everything in the universe is interconnected throughthe web of cause and effect; such that the whole and the parts are mutuallyinterdependent. The character and condition of entities at any given time are intimatelyconnected with the character and condition of all other entities that superficially mayappear to be unconnected or unrelated. All things, therefore, are conditioned and

transient; they have no real independent identity and thus do not truly exist, although toordinary minds this appears to be the case. All phenomena are therefore fundamentallyflimsy and empty. People with a broad mind are those who ―see things as they are‖,renouncing attachment and clinging, transforming energy of desire into awareness andunderstanding, and eventually transcending the conditioned realm of form becomingBuddhas.

Buddha Dhamma (Sanskrit: Dharma) is not a religion, it does not give credence to agod or philosophy, but is the Law of Nature about how we should handle spirit, soul andbody to bring them together in harmony and to begin to annul the ego and to stop anysorrow or affliction in our life! This way we can learn to cultivate true happiness and not

create a dependent happiness that is just for a fleeting moment eventually taking usback to the root of our problems. It takes a lot of insight and deep reflection about us tosee this reality.

Buddha counselled, ―Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, nomatter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own commonsense.‖ The main problem for many is that even when one agrees with the reason, inpractise we disagree with the way to be followed. Because of this we complicate theproblem, making it worse every day thus making ourselves and others unhappy.Problems do not arise from those who do not know, but from those who know butpretend not to know. Due to this attitude, the world is devastated a lot. Until we purgeourselves of this habit nothing will happen on the journey to create a wonderful and safeworld for future generations.

As Malcom X exclaimed, ―You can‘t separate peace from freedom because no one canbe at peace unless he has his freedom. And, as Albert Einstein said, ―Laws alonecannot secure freedom of expression; for every man to present his views withoutpenalty there must be a spirit of tolerance in the entire population.‖ Most people thinkseriously about their responsibilities and rights but not about their duty to others. So

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many use their freedom to rape others and deny them of their freedom. This attitudecould be the result of not having this broad thinking spoken of earlier and not respectingothers. Ultimately this results in missing our goal of attaining world peace.

―The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its

unity is firmly established,‖ said Bahá’u'lláh. Arms could not be the source for a securefeeling. This always creates knowing or unknowing pressure both to the owner and theother party. The United Nations Security Council Summit‘s resolution calling for theelimination of all nuclear weapons was its first resolution dedicated to nuclearproliferation and disarmament and the first chaired by a U.S. President. In addressingthe Security Council‘s members, President Obama declared: ―The historic resolution we

just adopted enshrines our shared commitment to the goal of a world without nuclearweapons.‖ Building on the extraordinary leadership of Presidents Obama andMedvedev, (who in April committed to working together to eliminate all nuclearweapons), this resolution is a significant step toward an international consensus on thisgoal and a stirring moment for so many who have worked on this issue for so long.

World leaders are recognizing that whatever stability nuclear arsenals may haveprovided during the Cold War is now outweighed by the growing risks of proliferationand nuclear terrorism; and the only way to eliminate the nuclear threat is to eliminate allnuclear weapons. They have resolved to work together in the common interest ofsecurity to achieve this goal. The US has spent more than 5.5 trillion dollars indeveloping their nuclear arsenal and France has spent about 1.5 trillion dollars; thesefigures do not include the costs of testing, fissile material production, storage anddisposal. As these figures are larger than many developing countries‘ annual budget,we can imagine how much the situation of the world would improve if these funds wereused for the benefit of the people worldwide who are currently struggling to haveeducation, minimum health care, food and housing. Eliminating all nuclear weapons will

require people from around the world to get involved.Let‘s join our hands with the

citizens from every country around the world who are already part of this movement and join ―Global Zero‖ at www.globalzero.org.

A peace movement could be defined as a collection of activities aimed at ending, or atleast minimizing, violence and wars in a variety of different situations through anassortment of methods. Due to the complex nature of this goal, it is deemed necessaryto properly coordinate cooperation among different peace movement forerunners andorganisations for peace to become a worldwide reality. Even though the path to worldpeace has been rough and the goal, as of yet, unattained, this has not deterred thosewho are committed to achieving peace in their lifetime.

Even though people claim to love their children dearly, many are irresponsible when itcomes to making the world a better place for them. Instead of taking action, they blameothers and defend or hide their irresponsible behaviour due to egoism. This is veryinteresting and sad. As human beings are responsible for the deteriorating situation,they are also responsible for improving the situation and saving their own children. Sowhich way will we go? Will we be blamed as slaughterers or kind and wise by our own

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children and grandchildren? This decision is in our hands. Currently, it is not too late,however, tomorrow it could be.

KAPILVASTU DAY POSTER

To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one's family, to bringpeace to all, one must first discipline and control one's own mind. If a

man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, andall wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him.

Buddha






Lumbini its challenges now and thenBy Rupesh Shrestha

Behold ye now this monk austere,His matted locks, his penance fierce;

From the fair town called Kapila,His great retirement shall be made.

The mother that shall bring him forth,Shall Mahamaya be by name;

Suddhodana his father’s name, His own name shall be Gautama.

[Extracted from Introduction to the Jataka orbook of “Buddha’s Birth stories”]

Introduction: Lumbini, where Gautama Buddha was born presents mysticism and symbolism due tothe elemental nature of thought present in this sacred place. The name Lumbini is said

to have been derived from that of the queen of Koli (Devadaha), whose daughter wasMahamaya, the mother of Gautama Buddha. It is also assumed that the name Lumbiniis a colloquial derivation of the word Rummindei (the queen of King Anjana ofDevdaha). Later Rummindei was pronounced as Lummindei, and still later, as Lumbini.The name Rummin is identical with Lumbini of Lummini, the form written in theinscription in the Pali Language, in which the middle or initial ―R‖ of Sanskrit is alwaysreplaced by ―L‖. This site is still locally called Rummindei.



The term Buddha means ―Enlightened One‖, and signifi es that the person to whom it isapplied has solved the riddle of existence, and discovered the doctrine for the cessationof misery. It was by his attainment of this supreme ‗Enlightenment‘ or ‗Wisdom‘ that thewarrior prince, Siddhartha Gautama, became a Buddha. Siddhartha Gautama belongedto the Sakya clan. The word Sakya means ‗Powerful‘ and the families that bore the

name had a reputation of pride and haughtiness. They were of the warrior caste(Khattiyajati), but cultivated peaceful arts of agriculture. Lord Buddha propoundedHinayana, a simple religion in which he followed to a large extent. This was a direct andsimple philosophy that appealed to the masses.

In 1896, Gen. Khadga S. Rana of Nepal (Commanding General of Western Nepal) andarchaeologist, Dr. Alois Fuhrer of Germany (Archaeological Surveyor, north-westernProvinces and Oudh under Archaeological Survey of India), became the first pioneers indiscovering the southwestern plain of Nepal - the Lumbini Garden. It lies in the Teraiabout 20 kms west of Siddharthanagar (Bhairahawa) in Rupandehi District of LumbiniZone in the Republic of Nepal. Geographically, historically and politically, Nepaloccupies a position in between two great empires of India and China and has drunkdeeply from the two culturally rich springs, drawing inspirations from both its grand

neighbours, as the political current ebbed or flowed - an influence clearly illustrated inthe building styles of Nepal. In addition, there is the religious, cultural and philosophicaleffect of that great tide of Buddhism, which swept through the continent of Asia beforeand after the beginning of the Christian era, inspiring every people and every activity inits vicinity.



History and its present development:

The descriptions of famous ancient Chinese pilgrims, Huian Tsang (who travelledthrough India between AD 629 & 645) and Fa Hein (who travelled between AD 400 &AD 414) indicate to this area, saying, ―Lumbini, where the Lord was born, is a piece of

heaven on earth where one could see the snowy mountains amidst a splendid gardenembedded with stupas and monasteries.‖ Buddhist literature describes Lumbini as apradimoksha – vana blessed with blooming sal-trees and masses of beautiful flowers,and a place where bees of five colours hum. The sweet warbling of various birds andother natural scenery in Lumbini was compared to the Chittalata (mind captivating)grove of Indra‘s (Hindu rain god) paradise in heaven. From these descriptions, we canassume that Lumbini presented an undulating landscape of considerable beauty.

The undercurrent of Buddhism which runs throughout the religious system of thecountry during the entire history originated at an early date. It is recorded that in the 3rdcent. BC., the Mauryan emperor of present day India, Ashoka, made a pilgrimage to

Nepal and commemorated this event with the foundation of innumerable stupas andpillars as a token of his success in bringing the inhabitants into the Buddhist fold.Lumbini was lost in oblivion until it was discovered by the German Archaeologist, Dr.Fuhrer, wandering in the foothills of Churia (Siwalik) range, and the Ashokan pillarpresented the first epigraphic evidence relating to the life history of Lord Buddha - themost visible landmark of the Sacred Garden.

The historic importance of the pillar is evidenced by the inscription engraved in the pillar(in Brahmi script). Also, the Nativity Sculpture (found above the Marker stone) andMarker stone itself are important as it fixes the place of the Nativity of Buddha withdeftness and precision and provides answers to the controversies regarding the

birthplace of Lord Buddha. There are multiple facts that leads to a logical conclusionthat Lumbini is the birthplace of Lord Buddha. From excavations it has been found thatthe Ashokan pillar stands on its original base of unburnt brick platform which concludesthat the Pillar is at its original location. Furthermore the inscription in the pillar ―si la vi gada bhi cha‖1 (interpretations are varying, but translations is believed to mean ―at thecentre of marking stone slab‖) pointed out there is a marker stone on a brick platform.Excavations done also have proved that the marker stone is on seven layers ofbrickwork which might have represented seven steps taken by Lord Buddha

immediately after his birth2 . On account of geologicalnature of the marker stone, it is has been clearlyaccepted among the scientific community that thestone is non-Ashokan3 . Thus concluding that themarker stone is also at its original location.

The Ashokan pillar, discovered by Gen. Khadga S.Rana and Dr. Alois Fuhrer in 1896, presented the fi rst epigraphic evidence relating to the life history of Lord Buddha. From Dr. Fuhrer’s records, the

Ashokan monolith was 22’ - 4” high, standing upon



a masonry platform, and bore, about 9’ - 8” from its base, a well preserved inscription of the Mauryan period in fi ve lines. The pillar tapered slightly, as its circumference at the base was 8’ - 3”; near the inscribed portion 7’ - 5”; and at thetop 6’ - 6”. There are stories that the pillar, burnished and polished to a uniquemirror-like lustre, was surmounted with a horse-capital, which was afterwards

sundered from it by the machinations of a wicked dragon . This can be agreed upon with the fact that an Ashokan pillar always comes with a capital as in case of Sarnath of India The Master Plan mainly consists of circle, square and lines,which are laid out in definite order, proportion and relationship to each other. It is focussed on 7.7 sq. km., centring on the Sacred Garden and the Ashokan Pillar,with an additional area of 64.5 sq. km. to be developed in its support. The Lumbini Development Area is 5 by 5 miles, while the central 3 X 1 mile strip is divided into three 1 X 1 mile areas5.

Circle – The most predominant and basic form in the Master Plan representing the six aspects of Buddhism.

Square – Used along with the circle representing fi ve aspects of Mahayana of Buddhism. Line –The main axis of the Master Plan joining the centre of the Sacred

Garden to the Lumbini Centre, seems to provide a sense of hierarchy to the Master Plan. The Lumbini Centre, accommodating materialistic aspects (hotels, schools, hospitals), is envisioned as a sort of impurity and is kept well away from the Sacred Garden. Similarly, the Cultural Centre is a transitional space, a form of a buffer zone, and the Monastic zone is for diversity of the Buddhist understanding of knowledge, accommodating libraries, research centres and monasteries. The true crux of the Master Plan, the Sacred Garden representing enlightenment, is then approached,which is accommodated at the extreme end.

Prof. Dr. Sudarshan Raj Tiwari, a noted architectural historian of Nepal, in his researcharticle ‘Mayadevi Temple‘, presents mathematical evidences that the ‗multiple layers of remains extending upto various historical periods‘ attests to the fact that the site hasbeen of great importance throughout history starting from Lord Buddha‘s birth. Throughanalytical geometry, he further elucidates that sequences of construction are found tobe centrally above the pedestal of Nativity Sculpture, which has been a focus of worshipand various stages of construction have been done taking this very centre. Thus heconcludes from his research that the Mayadevi image and the temple are in their rightfulplace and the speculations that it came from elsewhere are entirely wrong. Furthermorehis papers discusses on implications on history of building at Lumbini since acongregational religious structure was already built in 3rd Cent. BC pointing out that

brick building started from Lumbini4. Beyond any dispute, Lumbinihas been ascertained as the authentic birthplace of Lord Buddha.

According to Prof. Kenzo Tange, “The form of a circleenclosing a square is a mystical universal symbol of purity and simplicity. Architecturally no built structures are to be added to



the garden except the essential forms like offices, meditation cells, utility blocks and restoration of Mayadevi Temple.”

In 1967, United Nations Secretary General, U Thant (himself a Burmese Buddhist),visited Lumbini and made an appeal in front of the international community for

assistance to maintain and improve the pitiable plight of this world famous pilgrimagesite. Suggestions of development of Lumbini as an international pilgrimage and touristcentre then came into light. And since the implementation of the Master Plan for thedevelopment of Lumbini, prepared by Prof. Kenzo Tange in 1978, Lumbini has been amarked scene for development, both as an international pilgrimage as well as a touristcentre. The Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) was consequently formed in 1985 to co-ordinate the planned development works and activities. LDT can be considered as aresult of amalgamation of two broad concepts: one is the direction of broad universalismand the other in the direction of contributing to the living standard of the people of theregion - an appreciable approach for project sustainability. Lumbini was then enrolled inthe World Heritage Site (WHS) in 1997 AD following compliance with its cultural criteria

(iii) and (vi).

The Master Plan:

The ultimate objective of the plan is to create an atmosphere of spirituality, peace anduniversal brotherhood and non-violence consistent with the time as well as to conveyBuddha‘s message to the world. Here, the Sacred Garden is seen as a crux for Lumbinias a Buddhist religious centre. The Master Plan, oriented north-south, envisages threemain elements in the future development of Lumbini – the Lumbini village, the MonasticEnclave, and the Sacred Garden, surrounded by green areas. Each of the threeelements comprises of 1 X 1 square mile totalling to 3 X 1 square mile area.

The Sacred Gardens:

The Sacred Garden area, surrounded by a pond and a circular levee to protect againstinundation, restricts new constructions so that its archaeological value may bepreserved. Besides the Ashokan Pillar, another most famous monument is theMayadevi temple. It has a stone relief having the Nativity scene of the Buddha, which isworshipped from the beginning of the Christian era. This nativity scene of Buddha wasinstalled by the king Naga Malla of Western Nepal, who ruled over one of the two stateswhich flourished from about 11th to 15th century in the Karnali zone of Nepal. It ispointed out by scholars that the temple of Mayadevi was constructed over the

foundation of more than one earlier temple or stupa.

At present the Mayadevi temple is the heart of all monuments of the holy site, bearingthe testimony of several phases of construction over the centuries. It was reopened in2003 on the 2547th auspicious birth anniversary of Lord Buddha and contains ruins ofthe earlier temple structure that date back to the 3rd to the 7th century B.C. However,this new construction and its design have not been spared of world criticism, broughtabout by the charge of it having negative impact on the archaeological remains,



affecting the visual experience and understanding(both historic and spiritual) of such animportant archaeological site 6. In this context, Prof. Dr. Jiba Raj Pokharel, the chiefarchitect of the new Mayadevi temple and former Dean of IOE, Pulchowk Campus, saysthat he had tried to maintain the form, texture and colour of the previous structureconstructed by Keshar Shamsher (the then commanding offi cer for Lumbini). Moreover,

Dr. Jiba Raj reiterates that recommendation of UNESCO regarding the need of payingattention to the non-intrusiveness, reversibility, shelter, visibility, focus, access, worshipand authenticity has been given consideration to the extent possible in his design. Justifications for the construction were made emphasizing the living character of the site andreligious sensitivity and inappropriate conditions back then. He further explains that theconstruction process of the new Mayadevi temple incorporates brickwork with limesurkhi mortar and that steel structures with nut and bolt joints have been used tosupport the archaeological ruins to facilitate easy dismantling when required.

Monastic Zone:

While the Mahayana West Monastic Zone consists of 29 plots (21 being reserved fordifferent countries), the Theravada East Zone consists of 13 plots (9 plots similarlyreserved). Out of these 30 reserved plots, only 10 monasteries have been completed sofar, while 12 plots are undergoing construction. The monasteries built have represented

architectural style of their respective country but the desired population density has notbeen achieved as required by the Master Plan. In each of the two monastic zones thereare two plots of land for the construction of meditation centres. In order to unify thevarious styles, landscaping is intended to be coordinated according to the Master Plan.A space known as a Monastic Plaza, made up of circular or semicircular steps, will belocated in the centre of each monastic zone. Each plaza will be serving as a centralgathering point and will have a symbolic sculpture placed at its centre. But the present



development here have been widely criticised for damaging the essence of the Masterplan as will be discussed later in this paper.

New Lumbini Village & Cultural Centre:

Several cultural facilities having a strong international fl avour and landscapes suitableto the functions are planned in the Cultural Centre. These include facilities forinternational conferences and seminars, museum, library, etc., for research on theBuddhist thought and philosophy. In addition, facilities of accommodation for pilgrims as

lodging houses, hotels and facilities for daily requirements have also beenaccommodated in the Master plan.

According to the Master Plan, the new Lumbini Village and the Cultural Centre aredesignated as the main entry points of the site. It is located at the extreme north of theMaster Plan and on the intersection of Bhairahawa – Taulihawa Highway. As per theoriginal Master Plan it is divided according to purpose, viz.: New Lumbini Centre,Cultural Centre, Pilgrims Accommodation Zone, High School, Roads and Landscaping.Besides these components, the Peace Stupa, Staff Colony and Crane & Bird Sanctuaryare additions made to the original master plan.

It is necessary for the Lumbini Village to be completed as soon as possible so that allactivities which are detrimental to the sanctity of the Sacred Garden can be shifted here.

Where the problem lies

“Physical barriers and locks provide the most obvious controls on the use of spaces, but an individual behaviour is also constrained by what he thinks is appropriate, admissible or possible.” – Bourdieu, P. 1977



According to the priorities as mentioned in the Master Plan, it was scheduled that all themajor construction works would be completed by the year 1985. The total cost estimatethen was US $ 55 million. But different circumstances led to the delay of the projectexecution resulting in a huge cost overrun, which according to a task force formed in1999, would be 4.2 to 4.5 times higher. The team also presented recommendations forspeedy progress of the Master Plan, which were never implemented.

As CK Lal in his article ‗The Prince of Peace‘ writes in the Nepali Times, ―Thefascination of the Nepali power elite with the Buddha and his birthplace is on display inthe excesses of the Lumbini Development Trust, where a new set of bosses takes overafter every change of government at Singha Durbar ...Besides the usual accusations ofcronyism and nepotism that continue to undermine the effi ciency of the Trust, the rapidturnover of its key personnel in the last twelve years has also been a factor in itsstagnation.‖

There is a discontent that has arisen due the manipulation of the Master Plan, resultingin its true essence being subdued by the present development carried out. The MasterPlan was prepared to keep mundane activities outside the Sacred Garden and a senseof hierarchy to the plan was given for preserving the true essence of the Master Plan. Acertain scale for future buildings to be constructed was also specifi ed so that the worksdo not subdue the monumentalism of the Ashoka Pillar and the Sacred Garden.Contrarily, the Monastic Zone has now started to become a more dominating sectorthan the Sacred Garden or the Ashok Pillar. These architectural built forms, colourschemes and material usage at the monastic zone have failed to accentuate the planoriginally conceived by Prof. Kenzo Tange, as many of the building controls, (likeprohibition of construction within a 20m zone from the axis of the main pedestrian path



of the Monastic Plaza and the entrance courts, and limiting the height of buildings to 3storeys -not exceeding the average height of the surrounding trees), have not beenfollowed. The boundary wall is physically an eyesore and philosophically, a barrier tothe fl ow of vibrations as per the original Master Plan. The main entrance leads directlyto the Sacred Garden, which is totally against the sanctity and purity of the site. The

Master Plan also mentions that only a single plot be made available to each party.Inspite of this, more than one plot has been allocated for some countries and there is nodemarcation between monasteries and their adjacent open spaces. At the same time,infrastructure development is lagging behind compared to monastery construction dueto ineffective mobilization of funds by LDT for timely completion of site development.

It must also be mentioned here that UNESCO too has published a report stating thatthere have been some activities which violate the basic essence of the Master Plan. Forinstance, the Peace Stupa in the Lumbini Center is built entirely against the Master Planand violates its spiritual and technical aspects7. It is now seen as a counter point of theAshok Pillar which in its absurdity has affected the monumentalism and spiritualism

brought about by the Pillar. There has been a realisation of a lack of a comprehensiveconservation and management vision of World Heritage Property. Thus an IntegratedManagement Plan is being opted to solve issues and confl icts regarding conservationand development of Lumbini.

A growing discontent is also festering amongst the locals that development works areconfined within the walls of the Master Plan, and that they have not received a sharefrom the developments being undertaken, resulting in a lack of emotionalattachment..There is no doubt that long term conservation of Lumbini and itssustainable development can be achieved only by considering the economicempowerment of the communities living in its immediate surroundings. Appropriate

models for local development programs should be thought over with an integratedapproach to meet all concerned stakeholders. These programs should address theexisting socio-economic factors and community participation should be given top priorityfor the project to be sustainable.

Other issues:

Lumbini has several opportunities for environmental tourism, which until now, has beenunder promoted, limiting it simply as a religious destination. Lumbini and its surroundingareas are endowed with a rich natural setting of fauna and a favourable agriculturalenviron. A further development of forests, grasslands, and wetlands would reflect natureas it is represented in Buddhism and the natural habitats of the Tarai. However, theproblems of encroachment, unplanned urbanization and pollution are alarmingly on therise and are taking its toll on tourism. Furthermore, experts are of the opinion that theproposal to transform the existing domestic airport into an international one would havean adverse effect in an environmental perspective, and rather recommend Lumbini bedeclared a ‗no fly zone‘.



As we advocate international tourism and intra –regional tourism, that there has been alesser exchange of tourists among the countries of South-Asia today is not due to thelack of travel urge but due to economic exigencies. Once the country has achieved asatisfactory level of development and economic capabilities, religious pilgrimage willgenerate a large volume of regional tourists. A pilgrimage route connecting the four

great holy places of Buddhism – Lumbini, Bodh-Gaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar canfurther be developed transforming Lumbini into a nexus for regional tourism.

A CERTAIN SCALE FOR FUTURE BUILDINGS TO BE CONSTRUCTED WAS ALSOSPECIFIED SO THAT THE WORKS DO NOT SUBDUE THE MONUMENTALISM OFTHE ASHOKA PILLAR AND THE SACRED GARDEN. CONTRARILY, THE MONASTICZONE HAS NOW STARTED TO BECOME A MORE DOMINATING SECTOR THANTHE SACRED GARDEN OR THE ASHOK PILLAR.

Some noteworthy efforts have been made for Lumbini, such as the recent decision bythe Ministry of Industries to limit industrial activities in an area of 15Km from the

Northern, Eastern and Western boundaries of the Master plan, as well as stricterscreening measures for the operation of the existing industries.

Conclusion The late King Birendra Shah had appropriately defined the importance of Lumbini in oneof his speeches, ―Although Gautama Buddha was born in Nepal, he belongedessentially to the whole world and to all times. He blazed a trail leading humanity to castoff parochialism and seek liberation and enlightenment. For us in Nepal, the way of lifewhich Buddha practised and propagated has remained an inextricable part of ourcultural heritage. Nepalese civilization has brought about a marriage between Hinduismand Buddhism making them inseparable.‖

In this world of wonders in which all things are inter-linked in a unique manner as astring of tapestry, it is but natural that we respect and conserve what is feasibly possiblefor the co-evolution of today and for the generation to come. Lumbini presents anenormous potential as a cultural, touristic and religious site, making it worthy of an efforttowards preservation of its Outstanding Universal Value both in terms of its historicalsignifi cance and spiritual meaning. The values being inter-related, enhancement madein one should not compromise the other.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Prof. Dr. Sudarshan Raj Tiwari, Institute of Engineering, Lalitpur Prof Dr. Jiba Raj Pokharel, Institute of Engineering, Lalitpur

Ar. Kai Weise, PAHAR Nepal, Planners’ Aliance for the Himal ayan and Allied Regions Ar. Punya Sagar Marahatta, Lecturer, Institute of Engineering, Lalitpur

REFERENCES • Angela, A, Cueppers, C, Ghimire, H, Rai, R, Suwal, R, Bhuju, U, Weise, K, Jenkins, M,Selter, E, 2006, Lumbini: Present Status and Future Challenges, UNESCO Publication, Kathmandu.



• Fuhrer, A. 1896, in H.R Joshi & I. Joshi (eds), Antiquities of Buddha Sakyamuni’sBirth-place in The Nepalese Tarai. The Nepal Studies : Past and Present, 1996 • Tiwari, S.R. 1996. ‘Maya Devi Temple. Recent discoveries and its implications on history of building at Lumbini’, Tribhuvan University Journal, XIX. • Pokharel, J. R., Reconstruction of Maya Devi Temple on the Birth Spot of Buddha(

Unpublished). Kathmandu • UNESCO-ICOMOS 2005, Mission Report Reactive Monitoring Mission to Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha, Boccardi, G & Gupta, D, Nepal.• Lumbini Development Trust 2007, ‘International Monastic Zone’, About Lumbini,viewed 21 June 2010, http://www.lumbinitrust.org/monasticzone.htm#1• Lal, C.K . 2002 , ‘The Prince of Peace’, The Nepali Times, 24 May, viewed 16 June2010, http://www.nepalitimes.com.np/issue/2002/05/24/ StateOfTheState/6399 • Rakesh, Ram D. 1994, Cultural Heritage of Nepal Terai, Nirala Publications, Jaipur,India.• Shakya, Min B. 1986, A Short History of Buddhism in Nepal. Young Buddhist

Publication, Lalitpur.• Bidari, B. , Greetings from the Birthplace of Lord Buddha Lumbini, Nepal, The World Heritage Site, Lumbini.

END NOTES 1 de va na pi ye na pi ya da si na la ji na vi sa ti va sa bhi si te na; a ta na a ga cha ma hi yi te hi da bu dhe ja te sa kya mu ni ti; si la vi ga da bhi cha ka la pi ta si la tha bhe cha u sa pa pi te; hi dab ha ga vm ja te ti lu mi ni ga me u ba li ke ka te 2 Excavations were carried out in 1990’s by Japan Buddhi st Federation (JBF) and Lumbini Development Trust (LDT).3 Pillars for Ashokan stone are derived from hills south of Chunar railway station in

Bihar, India. Whereas marker stone found in Lumbini is made from local stone.4 See MAYADEVI TEMPLE – Recent discoveries and its Implications on history of Building at Lumbini by Prof. Dr. S.R. Tiwari.5 ,7 See Lumbini: Present Status and Future Challenges by UNESCO, 2006 6 Mission Report, UNESCO – ICOMOS, Joint Mission to Lumbini, World Heritage Site – Nov. 2005

All that we are is the result of what we have thought. If a man speaks or

acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks oracts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that neverleaves him. Buddha







Why Kapilvastu Day – as Global Day?

By Damodar Prasad Acharya

This is the proper time to say with pride that Buddha was born in Nepal not in India.Truth cannot be changed. But, the India is trying to create an illusion that the LordBuddha was born in India. Released about a year ago, an Indian movie ―Chandani Chokto China‖ has focused on the same illusion in that story. The movie was banned inNepal with the pressure of some political parties and the outburst of the people. Finally,as a result of pressure, the Indian film producer has apologized on his wrong doing inthe movie.

After that, few months ago, some news medias have highlighted a news about India isbuilding a replica of Kapilvastu, Lumbini (birthplace of Buddha) at Piparhawa, state ofUttar prades of India. It shows the real intention of India, time and again, to make vague

propaganda on the matter of Buddha‘s birth place.

In my opinion, it is interesting and right time to focus the recent news which is regardingthe birthplace of Buddha. On 16 November 2009, Asian Development Bank board ofdirectors approved total $57.5 millions on grants and loans for three nation to developthe tourism infrastructure & services for key tourism sites. After the efforts made byNepal, India & Bangladesh to take advantage of the tourism potential of their richnatural and cultural attractions, including many of the eminent Buddhist sites of Asia aregetting financial support from the ADB to promote the tourism and services.

The world renowned site The Financial has published a news article whereby they

stated South Asia as one of the poorer regions of the world but has many renownednatural and cultural attractions, including the world‘s highest mountain and the SacredGarden in Lumbini, Nepal, where Buddha was born, the Rumtek Buddhist Monastery inIndia‘s Sikkim state, and ancient monasteries and temples in western Bangladesh.Countries in the sub-region, including India, Nepal and Bangladesh have formed aworking group for collective action to tap the synergies of their complementary tourismsites in order to expand tourism.



In this context, we should not forget to raise our voice and focus on the ongoinginvasive activities of India and its direct interference on Nepal. India‘s move is clear thatit wants to annex Nepal as its state. Thus, it is interfering on Nepal‘s political,geographical, social, cultural & religious sectors.

There are lots of reports of border encroachment of Nepal territory by India. As therenowned Nepalese border expert Buddhi Narayan Shrestha reported, India hasencroached about 59,970 hectares of Nepali territory at 54 points in 21 districts.

In this painful scenario, after the celebration in 15th June 2009 as global day of actionagainst border encrochment by India, some patriotic Nepalese around the globe are

joining hands to protect their pride. Since few months, they are raising the cause ofKapilvastu Day- Global Day on 1st of December 2009. On 1st december 1896 Dr AFuhrer had found the Ashok Stambha in Lumbini and proved from the stone sculpturethat Lord Buddha was born in Lumbini, Kapilvastu. To promote the cause worldwide,many Nepalese are using some social sites like facebook, Twitter and sharing their

views, related photos and the logo of Kapilvastu Day and the concerned activities innews sites. Also formed is a group in facebook named The Birthplace of GautamBuddha is in Nepal, not India ! Untill 29th November 2009 the group has reached17,380 members worldwide.

As I have recognized some renowned Nepalese Professors, Literators, Journalists,intellectuals & high skilled experts are attached in this group. We are encouraging theNepalese embassies, consulates to join us for solidarity on the causse and alsoorganising common programs in various parts in the world as Kapilvastu Day- Global

Day on 1st of December 2009. And, we are also calling for solidarity to the internationalcommunity as slogan ―follow the peace and save the world‖.

After Indo-Sino conflict of 1962, India has initiated border encroachment of Nepaleseterritory. It‘s illegal border encroachment act is steady. Few months ago, whileNepalese in Indo-Nepal border areas have been frequently complaining of borderencroachment by India, the International Relations and Human Rights Committee(IRHRC) under Nepal‘s Legislative Parliament has found a serious level of border encroachment by India in Nepal‘s Bara district.

A field study headed by the Committee‘s Chairman and Constituent Assembly MemberNabindra Raj Joshi three days ago has revealed that India has encroached Nepal‘sborder by destroying 264 border pillars out of 685. And Chairman Joshi informed thatIndia has erected buildings in Nepalese territorry too.

After the election of hostorical Constituent Assembly, the CPN Maoist became a largestparty in Nepal‘s politics, New Delhi has been amazed with the result. Because the resultwas unexpected to India and also Nepalese parliamentary parties. In the context ofinternal conflict and affecting by CPI Maoist in as many as 20 states in 28 states acrossthe India, It has extreme fear from uprising popularity of UCPN Maoist in Nepal. Thus,India‘s doctrine of expansionism and imperialism is being threaten.



In the perception of threat upon it‘s doctrine, India begins to interfere directly in Nepalagainst UCPN Maoist led government in different topics. When Nepal‘s Maoists tried toresist direct Indian interference in appointing temple‘s priest and Army Chief, India hasbeen openly exercising to re-consolidate in its favour the Nepal-based non progressivepolitical forces servile to it from a long time.

The series of uprising India‘s direct intervention in Nepal, about two months ago, Chinahas announced that if anyone interfere in Nepal internal affairs then it provides anykinds of help to the Nepalese people including arms. It comes during the tensionbetween India and China about resuming territorial border dispute of ArunachalPradesh.

After the announcment of China, about a months ago, Indian supersonic fighter planewas seen first time over the Nepalese territory. Recently, in the last week of Novemberalso many Nepalese news medias have reported that Indian supersonic fighter plane flyin Nepalese sky second time for three consecutive days over Rolpa & Salyan district.

The people of that areas are frightened as media reported.

Except these illegal acts, there are news highlighted by some Neplaese media that Indiahas also directed to Nepal that the new constitution should be drafted against thewillingness of UCPN Maoist. It is not a matter and interest of India, but a matter andinterest of Nepal and Nepal only. What kind of constitution is needed for peace,progress and prosperity of New Nepal, only Nepalese have the right to decide their ownfate, not India. It is really shameful and ironic that India is known as world largestDemocracy who has no respect for other‘s Democracy, Liberty, Fraternity and social

justice.

In conclusion, everyone believes from these acts of India that it threatens transparentlyto the Nepal‘s sovereignty and independence. Given the critical circumstances of thenation, India faithful NCP UML Prime Minister Madhab Kumar Nepal led government, istightening his lips on the topic of national sovereignty and invasive acts of India.

Finally, indeed, we believe that if Kapilvastu Day is celebrated as a Global Dayelsewhere then it would be a small lesson for India to make correction for spreadingillusion and wrong doing.

29 November 2009 Leuven, Belgium

It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the

victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons,

heaven or hell. Buddha







KAPILVASTU DAY POSTER 2



Buddhism: Fundamental to World Peace

By Ram Kumar Shrestha,

Global Coordinator, Kapilvastu Day Movement

Even after entering into the 21st century - and a century of miracles of scientificachievements - still we have a question, ―Are human beings happier than before?‖Materialism as well as knowledge in the form of science and technology has contributedgreatly to human welfare, however; it is considered to be responsible for deterioration inWorld Peace as well. Every single day our world spends more than $4 billion on war.However everyday, 20,000 children die of hunger, poverty and a lack of treatment andmedicines and millions of people are suffering a lack of their basic needs like food,clean water, clothes and shelter. Nuclear power was developed in the name ofestablishing peace and now this is threatening the whole human race. Current existing

amounts of nuclear power are enough to destroy not a single earth but dozens ofequivalent earths. To dispose of this nuclear waste billions of dollars are needed thatamounts to just 10-15% of the total cost of producing, maintaining and managing thenuclear industry. If only a certain percentage of these funds were used for the benefit ofthe people worldwide, struggling to have an education, minimum health care, food andhousing a lot could be done. What will happen if the nuclear power will get intoterrorists‘ hand? This is today‘s one of the biggest concerns for world leaders. So whereare we now? Irrespective of interest everybody has to read, see, watch and listen tounwanted news full of violence, crime, rape, hunger, accident, war, epidemic, disasteretc in everyday life. However, dedicated persons and organizations are still optimisticfor a better and peaceful globe.

Then, how can peace be realized in a planet such as ours? Problems do not arise fromthose who do not know, but from those who know and pretend not to know. Due to thisattitude, the world is in crisis. Until we purge ourselves of these problems nothing willhappen on the journey to create a wonderful and safe world for future generations. Mostpeople think seriously about their responsibilities and rights but not about their duty toothers. So many use their freedom to violate others and deny them of their freedom.



This attitude could be the result of mediocre thinking, selfishness and not respectingothers.

The basis of World Peace is the individual. We can give others only the values that wepossess. Only the happy person, therefore, can give happiness to others. A stressed

person cannot give happiness. Only happy persons can love others and be able to unitepeople. World peace is possible only when everybody loves each other. The presentworld situation is the result of our way of thinking. Leaders are using their maximumeffort to divide people and to control others to be so called powerful. If everybody thinksabout each other we would not have problems, but we are habitual in our thinking anddefine everything according to ourselves or group or community or country. Religiouspersons are also dividing people in the name of religion. The basic of every religion isthe same – love. Religion is religion if it unites people and not if divides people. Wetherefore, need conversation from leaders to masters, religious persons to spiritualpersons to achieve a level of World Peace.

Despite philosophers‘ and humanitarian activists‘ optimism, every day results make itseem that we are not making much progress on World Peace. This mission has beencomplicated because of the divergence of people involved and their ways of thinking.This suggests to us that we need to work in different ways to coordinate and cooperatewith each other to achieve this goal. Although this mission is very difficult, it is notimpossible if we are serious about achieving change.

As part of the World Peace Movement, Nepalese people living in different parts of theworld last year decided to commemorate Lumbini and Kapilavastu, the birthplace ofGautam Buddha, by observing Kapilvastu Day as a global holiday in order to spreadBuddha‘s peace and nonviolence messages all over the world. The Buddha is revered

as a Messenger of Peace. He is also known as the Light of Asia who is actually theLight of the World as his message of peace and non-violence has become morerelevant as the world is facing many violence problems today. The world today hasbecome more violent than ever before. Therefore, we have decided to spread themessages of the Buddha all over the world by observing Kapilvastu Day every year.Originally, on December 1st, 1896, Dr Anton Führer, a German archaeologist, haddiscovered the Buddha‘s birthplace when he found the Asoka Pillar at Lumbini. TheAsoka Pillar is the most important evidence that Buddha was born in Lumbini.Therefore, it was appropriate to observe December 1st as Kapilavastu Day.

Buddhists see the problem of war as a karmic one; the solution is seen as the practicingand teaching of correct ethical behavior. Good deeds lead to good consequences, baddeeds to bad. If we are encouraging war, how can we get a peaceful world? The mostfundamental moral precept in Buddhist teaching is respect for life and the prohibitionagainst taking life. The taking of life not only covers human life but all sentient beings. Ifwe end killing, the world will definitely be at peace. Writing in Physics World , Calvertcalculates that the animals we eat emit 21% of all the carbon dioxide that can beattributed to human activity. This suggests that if the whole world becomes vegetarian,the global warming problem will be minimized a lot. Consumption of a vegetarian food



can contribute to more peace minded citizens in the world. Peace or war, therefore, isour decision.

Buddha taught that the world must be thought of in procedural terms and not in terms ofthings or substances. This is the understanding that any phenomenon exists only

because of the existence of other phenomena in an amazingly complex web of causeand effect covering past, present and future and this seems to be the basic of Newton‘slaw of Motion, ”To every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction” . TheBuddha taught that peaceful minds lead to peaceful speech and peaceful actions. If theminds of living beings are at peace, the world will be at peace. Buddhists believe thatthe minds of all living beings are totally interconnected and interrelated, whether theyare consciously aware of it or not. If we concentrate on putting our own minds at peace,then we can broadcast peace mentally and generate peace through our actions. Weshould use a peaceful mind to act for peace in the world.

Buddha Dhamma (Sanskrit: Dharma) is not a religion, it does not give credence to a

god or philosophy, but is the Law of Nature about how we should handle spirit, soul andbody to bring them together in harmony and to begin to annul the ego and to stop anysorrow or affliction in our life! This way we can learn to cultivate true happiness and notcreate a dependent happiness that is just for a fleeting moment eventually taking usback to the root of our problems. It takes a lot of insight and deep reflection about us tosee this reality. It gives not only the peace message but also teaches techniques andmethods for that.

Such human qualities as morality, compassion, decency, wisdom, and so forth havebeen the foundations of all civilizations. These qualities must be cultivated andsustained through systematic moral education so that a more humane world may

emerge. We need a revolution in our commitment to and practice of universalhumanitarian values. As from both scientific and religious viewpoints it is as of generalrule that every action generates a force of energy that returns to us in the same way weare sending it out, for World Peace we, therefore, must choose action that bringshappiness and success to others. In general everybody senses a discomfort for makinga conscious wrong decision. Just the thing is that due to the ego and selfishnesseverybody wants to put out of sight the reality. One of the main objectives of this attitudeis to seek control over others that is wasting of time and energy resulting inunhappiness to self and others. Our actions, therefore, must be motivated by real love,compassion and respect that generate energy causing a Peaceful World. Peaceful life iseverybody‘s right and we can create that if everybody becomes serious about it.

This year Buddha Jayanti, which actually encompasses the birth; enlightenment(Nirvana); and passing away (Parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha, is going to becelebrated with very surprising yet wonderful programs all over the world and this couldbe the positive symbol of World Peace.

Even though people claim to love their generations, many are irresponsible when itcomes to making the world a better place for them. Instead of taking action, they blame

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parinirvana



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gautama_Buddha







others and defend or hide their irresponsible behavior due to egoism. This is veryinteresting and sad. As human beings we are accountable for this deterioratingsituation, as well as being responsible for improving the situation and saving our ownchildren. So which way will we go? Will we be blamed as slaughterers, or kind and wiseby our own children and grandchildren? This decision is in our hands. Currently, it is

not too late, however, tomorrow it could be.

NEFIN POSTER



LETTER SUBMISSIN TO THE PRIME MINISTER

Informing the world about the true birth place of the

Buddha327 Signatures

Published by Ram Kumar Shrestha on Jul 14, 2010

Category: Patriotism

Region: GLOBAL

Target: The Right Honorable Prime Minister of Nepal

Web site: http://worldamity.wordpress.com/

Background (Preamble):

All sovereign Nepalese: intellectuals, civil society leaders, patriotic, democratic,

progressive, and reasonable and rational minds of all walks of life, our peace and justice

loving international friends and international communities.

Petition:

The Right Honorable Prime Minister of Nepal

Singha Darbar

Kathmandu, Nepal.

Re: Informing the world about the birth place of the Buddha

As part of the World Peace Movement, Nepalese people living in different parts of theworld last year decided to commemorate Lumbini and Kapilavastu, the holy places

where Gautam Buddha was born and grew up, by observing Kapilvastu Day as a global

holiday with the objectives;

to spread Buddha messages all over the world to enhance world peace, to work together with other organizations working for the peace in the world;

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/birth-place-of-the-buddha/signatures.html



http://www.gopetition.com/author.php?petid=37760



http://www.gopetition.com/petition-campaigns/Patriotism/



http://www.gopetition.com/petition-campaigns/Global/



http://worldamity.wordpress.com/



http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/birth-place-of-the-buddha.html

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/birth-place-of-the-buddha/sign.html

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/birth-place-of-the-buddha/signature-map.html








to campaign to clear all sorts of misinformation among world citizens relatedwith birth place of the Buddha. The Buddha is revered as a Messenger ofPeace. He is also known as the Light of Asia who is actually the Light of theworld also as his message of peace and nonviolence has become morerelevant as the world is facing the problems of violence today. The world

today has become more violent than ever before. Therefore, we have decidedto spread the messages of the Buddha all over the world by observingKapilvastu Day every year.

Originally, on December 1, 1896, Dr Anton Führer, a German archaeologist, had

discovered the Buddha‘s birthplace when he found the Asoka Pillar at Lumbini. Even

though this site was first discovered by Khadga Shamsher Rana before Führer had

reached the site but the latter is credited with this discovery as he made it known to the

international community.

Therefore, keeping in view of the discovery day of this holy site, it was decided to

observe December 1 as the Kapilavastu Day. The historic Kapilavastu, located close to

Lumbini, is another holy pilgrimage for the Buddhists. It is the place where the Buddha

grew up and which he later renounced seeking to understand the cause of human

sufferings. The result of years of excavations and researches by national and

international teams have proven that Tilaurakot is the historic Kapilvastu which

UNESCO should certify as another World Heritage, next to Lumbini.

All the misinformation on the birth place of Buddha is due to vigorous intentional

campaign being carried out by some Indian Media, writers and organizations. Now it

has also come to the light, that course books in many countries contain wrong

information about the Buddha due to such misinformation spread on ill intent which was

never expected before this movement.

We Kapilvastu Day Movement Team together with 275,00,000 Nepalese living in Nepal

and abroad, all sovereign Nepalis: intellectuals, civil society leaders, patriotic,

democratic, progressive, and reasonable, rational minds of all walks of life, our peace

and justice loving international friends and international communities and all the

Buddhist followers and scholars, therefore, strongly condemn such unethical activities.

Even the fake Kapilvastu is also reported under speedy construction and which will be

completed in 2012. These sorts of activities could create misunderstanding in existing

good relationship and friendship between two countries since many centuries. Such,

unethical and irresponsible activities may cause distrust in the friendship between two

great neighbors Nepal and India. Nepal and India should be aware of it and do whatever

is required to stop such elements and activities prior to it damaging the historical

friendship between two countries. To boost up the relationship between two countries,

this kind of problem must be sorted out as soon as possible.



After celebrating Kapilvastu Day Globally first time on 1st of December, 2009, we have

organized lots of campaigns to correct misinformation on the birth place of Buddha and

google corrected its mistake. Still there are lots of areas to be corrected and for this

without Nepal government‘s involvement it could take years and years. We, therefore,

would like to request Nepal government to deal with Indian government directly against

fake Kapilvastu issue and on other issues - especially to correct course books - through

diplomatic missions.

Respectfully yours,

Ram Kumar Shrestha

Global Coordinator

Kapilvastu Day Movement


And,

All sovereign Nepalese: intellectuals, civil society leaders, patriotic, democratic,

progressive, and reasonable and rational minds of all walks of life, our peace and justice

loving international friends and international communities.



Book Published by the Movement

Kapilvastu Day Movement has published a book written by Prof Dr. Kavitaram Shrestha.

This a novel and based on scientific research on Buddha‘s life.

Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything

simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply

because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on

the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have

been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you

find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one

and all, then accept it and live up to it. Buddha Kalama Sutta

kapilvastu day movement booklet

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